Is Quaker's Instant Oatmeal bad for you?

I really love quakers instant oatmeal. Just add some hot water to the oatmeal and bam! But now i realize that everyone is eating normal oatmeal... so is it bad? and if it is, what are some really good oat meal recipes?
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Replies

  • littlelily613
    littlelily613 Posts: 769 Member
    The flavoured kind has a lot of sugar in it, so it might not be best to go overboard on it. Still, I don't think it would hurt once in awhile. There is nothing wrong, IMO, with plain instant oatmeal.
  • jcpmoore
    jcpmoore Posts: 796 Member
    You can get Quaker instant with low sugar, too. Or if you're the more hungry morning folks, get the Weight Control variety (larger portion). It's all good, IMO. I lost 30 pounds eating that stuff every day.
  • Get_Me_Fit
    Get_Me_Fit Posts: 42 Member
    I really love quakers instant oatmeal. Just add some hot water to the oatmeal and bam! But now i realize that everyone is eating normal oatmeal... so is it bad? and if it is, what are some really good oat meal recipes?
    Whats "IMO" mean?
  • BlackmetalCoffee79
    BlackmetalCoffee79 Posts: 108 Member
    I really love quakers instant oatmeal. Just add some hot water to the oatmeal and bam! But now i realize that everyone is eating normal oatmeal... so is it bad? and if it is, what are some really good oat meal recipes?
    Whats "IMO" mean?

    In my opinion.
  • MFPAddict
    MFPAddict Posts: 2,069 Member
    I eat it daily. Sure plain oatmeal is healthier, but it helped lower my cholesterol and I lost 60+ lbs with it part of my diet
  • It is my favorite also and I ate like 3-4 times a week for breakfast a few years ago and I still lost weight.
  • I like the Quaker's raisins and spice oatmeal. Now I buy plain oatmeal and add my own raisins and cinnamon to it. Just as good and less sugar! :)
  • smiller9
    smiller9 Posts: 28 Member
    I really like cinnamon and spice. Just don't go overboard on sugar the days you have it.
  • shadowkitty22
    shadowkitty22 Posts: 495 Member
    I eat steel cut oatmeal and add in 1 oz of fresh blueberries about 5 minutes through the cooking process and let it cook for another 5. Then when it's done cooking on the stove I add 1 packet of splenda just for a little more sweetness. This way I get some good whole grains and fiber with a touch of fresh fruit.

    I've been eating it pretty much every morning since the beginning of the year and I've lost 34 pounds so far with it as part of my diet.
  • ericgAU
    ericgAU Posts: 271
    I really love quakers instant oatmeal. Just add some hot water to the oatmeal and bam! But now i realize that everyone is eating normal oatmeal... so is it bad? and if it is, what are some really good oat meal recipes?

    I wouldnt say it was bad for you. Rolled or Steel Cut are better. They take longer to cook but I find them to be tastier.
  • christina0089
    christina0089 Posts: 709 Member
    The oatmeal itself still has all its health benefits BUT the sugar content is really high. I buy the quick cooking oats from quaker or publix brand and they cook well, quick! lol And I get to control what goes in it. Give it a shot and try some of these add ins.

    To sweeten

    Stevia
    splenda
    truvia
    sugar in the raw
    Honey

    Flavor combos
    unsweetened cocoa powder and a Tbsp of your fav peanut butter
    apple pieces and some cinnamon
    vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and some libbys canned pumpkin
    cinnamon and raisins
    strawberry and banana
    unsweetened shredded cocnut and pineapple
    basic stir ins

    almond milk
    protein powder
    chopped nuts
    blueberries
    vanilla
    cinnamon
    strawberries
    almond extract
    steep a chai tea bag in the water before adding oatmeal
    raspberries
    raisins
    dried cranberries
    unsweetened coconut

    Hope that helps! Good luck! :)
    banana
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    i say make you own!, i buy the steel cut oats, and add raisins. healthier!
  • stephl21uk
    stephl21uk Posts: 123 Member
    i just buy plain, i weigh out 27g add 200mls of water, cook it in the microwave, then add 20mls of whole milk, 0.5 teaspoon of nutmeg and cinnamon and 1 tea spoon of sugar and its only 136cals and its very filling
  • JB5349
    JB5349 Posts: 135 Member
    I use quick oats add my fruit, water and microwave for apron 2 min. Instead of sweetener I add a scoop of protein powder so that I get a little extra protein as well with the oatmeal helps to keep me full longer. I have never liked oatmeal but now I love it!
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Maybe I'm just a cheapskate but the little packets of oatmeal are way more expensive than buying the bigger package. I add my own raisins or blueberries or whatever I feel like that morning.
  • kammy92
    kammy92 Posts: 408 Member
    The oatmeal itself still has all its health benefits BUT the sugar content is really high. I buy the quick cooking oats from quaker or publix brand and they cook well, quick! lol And I get to control what goes in it. Give it a shot and try some of these add ins.

    To sweeten

    Stevia
    splenda
    truvia
    sugar in the raw
    Honey

    Flavor combos
    unsweetened cocoa powder and a Tbsp of your fav peanut butter
    apple pieces and some cinnamon
    vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and some libbys canned pumpkin
    cinnamon and raisins
    strawberry and banana
    unsweetened shredded cocnut and pineapple
    basic stir ins

    almond milk
    protein powder
    chopped nuts
    blueberries
    vanilla
    cinnamon
    strawberries
    almond extract
    steep a chai tea bag in the water before adding oatmeal
    raspberries
    raisins
    dried cranberries
    unsweetened coconut

    Hope that helps! Good luck! :)
    banana


    Great ideas! !! Thanks! !!
  • ericgAU
    ericgAU Posts: 271
    Maybe I'm just a cheapskate but the little packets of oatmeal are way more expensive than buying the bigger package. I add my own raisins or blueberries or whatever I feel like that morning.

    Oh yea thats the other thing! I buy a bag of about 1 kg of Rolled Oats for about a dollar here in Oz. Those other portion control packs of the instant stuff are easily around 5 bucks or something like that and you dont get as much.
  • Leo_Joy_HG
    Leo_Joy_HG Posts: 57 Member
    They are high in sugar. Personally, i find they are far far too small a portion size!

    I eat one packet, i'm still hungry. I eat three, i feel miserable for eating more than what is regarded as a portion! I really hope i'm not the only one who thinks this!
  • TopazCarey
    TopazCarey Posts: 263
    I buy the big things of regular oatmeal. And what I do now (thanks to the diary of a mfp pal) is add a third tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder, half tablespoon of peanut butter and a couple splenda packets and it tastes like an oatmeal chocolate cookie or something. So delicious.
  • TopazCarey
    TopazCarey Posts: 263
    They are high in sugar. Personally, i find they are far far too small a portion size!

    I eat one packet, i'm still hungry. I eat three, i feel miserable for eating more than what is regarded as a portion! I really hope i'm not the only one who thinks this!

    They're too small for me too! I usually have to have at least two or three to feel full. That's why I like just getting plain old fashioned oatmeal. Half a cup is a decent portion, plus you can add other things and its better and healthier than the tiny packets.
  • Save money and buy it in bulk! I can get two huge bags full for only 4 dollars at Fred Meyer or Central Market (anywhere that has bulk bins). Then you can customize it however you want! It's great and economical. And then you can use your nice containers in the pantry instead of awkward shaped tubs or bags.
  • fit4evaR
    fit4evaR Posts: 9 Member
    i like the rolled oats or steel cut oats too - plus you can cook a batch on the weekend and heat it up with a little extra water during the week so its just as fast as instant!
  • groomchick
    groomchick Posts: 610 Member
    I'm lazy and wont make regular... but the active lifestle brand is made with splenda and has some good flavors. I love them.... they even have a little protein in them!
  • littlelily613
    littlelily613 Posts: 769 Member
    Just curious: what is the difference between rolled oats (which I am familiar with and eat regular), and steel cut oats (which I have never seen or even heard of before coming to MFP)?
  • Brunner26_2
    Brunner26_2 Posts: 1,152
    You can do so many things with plain oatmeal! And don't get stuck thinking oatmeal has to be sweet. I just discovered savory oatmeal. I actually just had this for lunch: Oatmeal with sauteed onions, red peppers, turkey sausage, and cheese, topped with an over easy egg.

    1iob2d.jpg
  • NewImprovedMrsCoates
    NewImprovedMrsCoates Posts: 38 Member
    I have never been a huge fan of oatmeal.... until I found all of the Better Oats brands. They are so tasty and cheaper than other instant oatmeals. There are lots of great varieties and flavors to choose from. I personally love the Mmm... Muffins Blueberry Muffin or the OatFit has 100 Calories and has a tasty Cinnamon Roll flavor. I have tried tons of these and haven't found a single one that I didn't love!

    http://www.betteroats.com/brands.php
  • I have started eating oatmeal everyday, for 2 reasons.... it stays in your belly longer than most breakfast items, & to incorporate whole grains in my diet as I HATE whole grain pasta/bread etc. I buy the store brand quick oats which cook in 1 min oopposed to 5 for the regular stuff. The best way to eat oatmeal is the "plain" stuff and add berries or some kind of fruit to natually sweeten it. I have raspberries at the moment. I eat that for breakfast and it gives me energy & keeps me satisfied til lunch time. To answer your question, it depends on what kind of diet your on, if youre on a low carb diet than oatmeal is no good! Good luck with your diet!
  • Brunner26_2
    Brunner26_2 Posts: 1,152
    Just curious: what is the difference between rolled oats (which I am familiar with and eat regular), and steel cut oats (which I have never seen or even heard of before coming to MFP)?

    The way they are cut and the level of processing. Steel cut oats are simply oats cut into small pieces. Rolled oats are steamed and rolled flat and cook more quickly. Both are the whole grain and nutritionally equivalent by weight, according to the USDA.
  • Hearts_2015
    Hearts_2015 Posts: 12,031 Member
    i like the rolled oats or steel cut oats too - plus you can cook a batch on the weekend and heat it up with a little extra water during the week so its just as fast as instant!
    I also much prefer Steel Cut Oats, I buy them in bulk and they are $.79 a lb. They are far less processed than the other methods of oats (other than groats) and that's the way I prefer my food, the less processed the better.

    I cook Steel Cut oats in my Crockpot overnight and divide it up into individual containers and have oatmeal for days!! What I don't store in the fridge I freeze. As someone shared there are so many things that can be added for flavor if you don't enjoy it plain.

    Cooking it Crockpot style is about the easiest way to cook oats IMO. Dried fruit can be added in the cooking or you can add everything just before you eat it.

    Check out the Crockpot Thread that's currently up for Overnight Cooking ideas or let me know if you're interested in how to do it. SOoooooo easy!:wink:
  • littlelily613
    littlelily613 Posts: 769 Member
    You can do so many things with plain oatmeal! And don't get stuck thinking oatmeal has to be sweet. I just discovered savory oatmeal. I actually just had this for lunch: Oatmeal with sauteed onions, red peppers, turkey sausage, and cheese, topped with an over easy egg.

    Before coming to MFP, I never would have even considered that people would do savoury oatmeal. I made something similar to this for breakfast this morning, and it was actually probably one of the best bowls of oatmeal I ever had. I did the non-instant oats, put just a small dash of unsweetened soy milk in (less than 1/4 cup), a whole serving of mozza cheese, salt, pepper, and basil. I stirred it up, then put a poached egg with a runny yolk on top. Oh my goodness! My new favourite breakfast!!