Grain bread vs steel cut oatmeal

One of my biggest challenges in my weight loss is figuring out what the right foods are for my body. Please advise

Normally for bfast I eat like a queen: 1serving steel cut oatmeal (120cals), 2 eggs (140cals) 1tbsp butter (100cals), 1slice cheese (80cals), some fresh spinach (0cals), and maybe a 1/2glass green juice or a few bites of strawberry and bananas (50cals)

Well I have found that if I replace the steel cut oatmeal with a slice of grainy nut bread both of which have 5g of protein, I am much happier and more satiated . For some reason the oatmeal just isn't doing it for me.

But it has been drilled into my head that bread is so bad bc it's so processed etc etc. And breakfast is my most important meal, I find that it sets me up to win and controls my hunger thru out the day. So I don't want to do it "wrong".

Thoughts?

Replies

  • pinggolfer96
    pinggolfer96 Posts: 2,248 Member
    A carb is metabolized the same regardless if it's derived from oatmeal or bread. It's all calories in vs calories out. If you feel more satisfied with the bread and it helps you reach your caloric goals, then go with that. Bread is not the enemy whatsoever.
  • sylkates
    sylkates Posts: 173 Member
    Bread is fine, especially if it works better for you.
    Bread isn't particularly harmful to one's health. Enjoy!
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    "Processing," in and of itself, doesn't tell you whether a food should be part of your diet. There are types of processing that make it easier for us to eat certain foods, make nutritional food more affordable and accessible, or make it easier for us to meet our nutritional goals (like protein powder, which is really processed, but also really helpful for meeting protein needs).

    Grinding a grain and baking it doesn't make it bad for you. Can you eat too much bread? Absolutely. You can eat too much of anything. Some people have trouble moderating their bread consumption and go over their calorie goals or crowd out other nutrients that they need. But it sounds like this bread is portion controlled, helping you meet your nutritional needs, you find it filling, *and* it makes you happy.

    Sounds like a great processed food to include in your diet!
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,426 MFP Moderator
    One of my biggest challenges in my weight loss is figuring out what the right foods are for my body. Please advise

    Normally for bfast I eat like a queen: 1serving steel cut oatmeal (120cals), 2 eggs (140cals) 1tbsp butter (100cals), 1slice cheese (80cals), some fresh spinach (0cals), and maybe a 1/2glass green juice or a few bites of strawberry and bananas (50cals)

    Well I have found that if I replace the steel cut oatmeal with a slice of grainy nut bread both of which have 5g of protein, I am much happier and more satiated . For some reason the oatmeal just isn't doing it for me.

    But it has been drilled into my head that bread is so bad bc it's so processed etc etc. And breakfast is my most important meal, I find that it sets me up to win and controls my hunger thru out the day. So I don't want to do it "wrong".

    Thoughts?

    Do what keeps you full longer as they both can be part of a good diet. If you want to be full longer with oatmeal, add a scoop of protein powder.
  • Mike02209
    Mike02209 Posts: 301 Member
    Hmm, I too find that I get hungrier quicker after having Oatmeal for breakfast. Not sure why this is. But its definitely a trend I have noticed for some time. So about 6 months ago I dropped oatmeal from my diet and have been doing much better since. Not scientific, I know, but it works for me.
  • linalovekitty726
    linalovekitty726 Posts: 5 Member
    Thanks. I find bread to be so satiating and for much longer . I also found some cookies at whole foods where 3 minis are 140cals. It's the most wonderful thing to eat bc it's a real cookie. I so dislike diet versions of things. Even ice cream. I'd rather have a bite of haagan das than a cup of fro yo. Point is, I'm learning what my body likes
  • dopeysmelly
    dopeysmelly Posts: 1,390 Member
    Why not alternate? Oatmeal one day, bread the next.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,404 Member
    Well technically oatmeal is processed. Oats have to be cooked to make them digestible, so you have processed them when you cook them.