Oatmeal is a popular breakfast go-to among healthy eaters. It’s easy to make, super filling, and customizable for any tastes. When you do start to customize it, however, it’s important to keep in mind how those ingredients might impact the overall health benefits of your breakfast. If you don’t, there’s a good chance you could be unknowingly transforming your nutritious breakfast dish into something else entirely. With that in mind, keep reading for the one ingredient you’re adding to your oatmeal that’s making it super unhealthy.
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Sugar
You probably already know that loading up on sugar in the morning is not the smartest idea. And it will likely result in a sugar crash later in the day. Beyond contributing to low energy, too much sugar can also lead to weight gain.
"In our society, sugar is consumed in excessive amounts through unhealthy foods, and it increases total calories, leading to weight gain," Eric Sternlicht, Ph.D., professor of kinesiology at Occidental College in Los Angeles and president of Simply Fit Inc, tells Men's Journal.
Likewise, regularly adding a scoop (or more) of sugar to your oatmeal could prevent sustainable weight loss – and lead to eventual weight gain. This is also something you have to wary of when dining out. Many restaurants (especially fast food places) put additives in the oatmeal to make it sweeter.
For example, McDonald's Fruit and Maple Oatmeal contains 31 grams of sugar. "This oatmeal contains a lot of added sugars. Between the brown sugar added to the oatmeal and the sugar added to the dried cranberries, this oatmeal is a sugar bomb in a bowl," Lauren Manaker MS, RDN, LD, founder of Nutrition Now Counseling and author of Fueling Male Fertility, tells Eat This, Not That!.
To keep your oatmeal healthy, limit the added sugar and opt to flavor the dish with spices, fruit, and other nutritious alternatives. If you really need a boost of sweetness, try a natural source like honey, maple syrup, or stevia. Need more ideas? Keep reading.
Egg White Oatmeal
What You'll Need: old fashioned oats, banana, cinnamon, sea salt, water (or milk), egg whites
Full Recipe: Eating Bird Food
Fruit and Oatmeal Breakfast Bowl
What You'll Need: rolled oats, coconut milk, stevia, banana, mango, kiwi, pineapple, coconut flakes, raspberries, mint
Full Recipe: Healthy Fitness Meals
