How bad is instant oatmeal?

[Deleted]

I have tried to get on board with whole oats and I just can't.  Even after adding fruit/peanut butter/whatever for flavor it is still just bland and disgusting to me.

I have been eating instant oatmeal, mixing one packet of original (plain, no flavor or sugar) and one packet lower sugar flavored.  All told it has about 5g of sugar and 250 calories.  I eat breakfast at about 5:30 am and that keeps me full until about 10 or 10:30 when I eat a piece of fruit to tide me over until lunch.

So what is the issue with instant oatmeal?  Is it really bad for you or does it just not keep you full as long?

[wambam]

I don't eat grains, but if I did, I would avoid instant for the sugar. And I'm sure there are other interesting ingredients.

[al320]

Its the sugar, and also its more processed than steel cut.

Have you tried oat bran? Ilike it a lot more than whole oats. I mix in stuff, its yummy.

[joenali]

I like my instant oatmeal. I buy the big thing of Quaker oatmeal that is plain and I add brown sugar to it. It's something I've been tainting since I was a kid. I love it, and can't do the other kind of oats. I would just avoid the flavored kinds, even though I love those too!

[Wines Not Whines]

5 g of sugar isn't bad. It's not as healthy as making your own from whole oats, but I don't think it's the devil or anything. I ate a waffle for breakfast, and I'm sure your instant oatmeal was healthier.

[panicked]

Jul 4, 2013 8:38:45 GMT -5 joenali said:

I like my instant oatmeal. I buy the big thing of Quaker oatmeal that is plain and I add brown sugar to it. It's something I've been tainting since I was a kid. I love it, and can't do the other kind of oats. I would just avoid the flavored kinds, even though I love those too!

I think if you buy the big container, it's probably quick oats, not instant. Those are processed, but less so than the instant.

OP, have you tried different applications instead of just mixing with hot water? Look up "summer oatmeal" or crockpot oatmeal. Both are really great ways to eat oats that have lots of flavor! I

[Deleted]

I also buy the big container of it and make my own mixes. That way I can control the sugar entirely.

[Deleted]

I love old-fashioned oats mixed with 1 t. brown sugar, dash of salt, slivered almonds or pecan pieces, with some kind of dried fruit or frozen blueberries. 

[taratru]

I think it the great big scheme, eating that isn't bad. If ours oly eating 5g of sugar in the morning, I'd say that's pretty good. I used to crockpot some every week, but found some instant with readable and not scary ingredients, so I eat that when I want some.

Then again, I'm not on the "processed food = Satan" train, either.

[sadlebred]

It isn't the end of the world. I love Quaker Maple and Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal. If I'm out of Trader Joe's instant Maple and Brown Sugar Oatmeal, I'll eat the Quaker stuff as it's a staple in my pantry. If you have a Trader Joes or Whole Foods (or other natural grocery store), I'd check out their selections. I've found the TJ's instant oatmeal to be as good or better than Quaker with less artificial stuff in it.

[Brit]

I buy the huge box of "old fashioned" oats from Sam's Club. The only ingredient is oats. I usually do overnight oats made with protein powder, dried fruit, and flax. I guarantee that this has more than 5g of sugar because of the fruit. You just have to decide what you are ok with.

[aurora]

Sometimes I add cream cheese to my oatmeal. I know it sounds really weird, but it makes it taste so much better to me (and the fat helps me feel full for a lot longer).

But, to address your question, I don't think instant oatmeal is terrible for you. I do think the extra ingredients in such processed food are generally worse than that small amount of sugar.

[Deleted]

Note: I tolerate steel cut oats if lots of yummy, sugary things are added, and I hate all other kinds of oatmeal.

Comparing the plain instant oatmeal and the old fashioned oats, honestly? I see nothing wrong with it:
www.quakeroats.com/products/hot-cereals/organic/regular.aspx
www.quakeroats.com/products/hot-cereals/old-fashioned-oats.aspx

The ingredients are the same. I can't do an exact comparison from those two labels since the serving sizes are different, but they appear comparable in fiber and protein. I don't really see how the "processing" to make plain instant oatmeal makes it worse.

So then you're just left with the sugar and other additives in your other packet. And let's be honest - oatmeal with no sugar at all is fucking nasty anyway.

[julygal]

Instant is more processed therefore digests faster and is higher on the glycemic index. Here is a quick explanation of sugar vs glycemic index that google found: www.livestrong.com/article/366799-sugar-content-vs-glycemic-index/ My DH's cardiologist is really likes a low glycemic index diet for heart health. When you read about it there are clearly benefits to a low GI diet for people with diabetes too.

[Deleted]

Have you tried steel cut oats? The texture is more nuttier and I like it a whole lot better than rolled oats. It doesn't get as mushy. It's awesome (and low sugar) if you add in half a cup of berries and some cinnamon.

[Deleted]

If I am in a pinch, I eat the Kashi instant oatmeal or the TJ's brand instant oatmeal with flax.

[joenali]

Jul 5, 2013 9:02:06 GMT -5 doglove said:

Have you tried steel cut oats? The texture is more nuttier and I like it a whole lot better than rolled oats. It doesn't get as mushy. It's awesome (and low sugar) if you add in half a cup of berries and some cinnamon.

See I love the mush of instant oatmeal.

[Deleted]

Jul 5, 2013 9:13:03 GMT -5 joenali said:

Jul 5, 2013 9:02:06 GMT -5 doglove said:

Have you tried steel cut oats? The texture is more nuttier and I like it a whole lot better than rolled oats. It doesn't get as mushy. It's awesome (and low sugar) if you add in half a cup of berries and some cinnamon.

See I love the mush of instant oatmeal.

My DH does too, I just can't get on board with it. 

[foundmylazybum]

Oatmeal is the devils cereal.