Eat the G.O.A.T. (Greatest Oatmeal of All-Time)

If you aren’t already eating a healthy breakfast in the morning, oatmeal is a quick and easy way of starting your metabolism off on the right foot in the morning. It comes together quickly, and provides you with a good base of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to energize you throughout the morning. Eating oatmeal regularly has also been shown to bring down your cholesterol. Try this handy guide to create your own favorite oatmeal recipe.

The Oats: Quick oats have been processed from the whole oat grains (called groats) to make them cook up faster; you can use these to throw together your breakfast as soon as possible in the morning. Rolled oats are similar but take a bit more time. Oats labeled steel-cut, Irish, or Scottish oats take longer, but offer a more toothsome texture than quick and rolled oats, which tend to be mushier.

The Liquid: Traditionally people opt for either water or milk for making their oatmeal, but milk substitutes such as almond milk and like are popular too.

To Sweeten Or Not To Sweeten: You can certainly enjoy oatmeal on its own, but a little sweetener every now and then can turn it into a special treat. Honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, brown sugar, etc. should be used sparingly.

Fruit/Dried Fruit: This is a great way to add sweetness to your oatmeal while adding flavor, vitamins, and fiber. Diced apples and sliced bananas are great throw-ins after your oatmeal is finished cooking. Throw some dried cherries, cranberries, raisins, etc. in while the oatmeal is cooking and they’ll rehydrate a bit, or throw them in just before serving to enjoy them as usual.

Nuts and Seeds: The texture difference provided by nuts and seeds make them a great addition, especially with the mushier quick oats. Slivered almonds, hulled sunflower seeds (kernels), chopped toasted walnuts, etc. add healthy fats to your breakfast too!

Spices: Spices can be a great addition, but make sure to go easy with them until you figure out the right balance. Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, cardamom, cocoa powder, or even flavor extracts like vanilla can change the whole complexion of your oatmeal.