I make microwave oatmeal for breakfast nearly every day. When I go camping, I bring instant oatmeal. When I visit my grandparents, I eat the slow-cooked oatmeal that my grandma makes on the stove. Why do I love oatmeal so much?
Foremost, let’s talk about the nutritious benefits of oatmeal. Healthline reports oats are a well-balanced source of carbs and fiber, packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Not only that, they are a wonderful source of protein (Marengo). Throw some chopped fruit in for extra nutrition. Some people add nuts, and some people add protein powder for some added benefits. Excluding the fact I’m often generous with the brown sugar when making my oatmeal, it’s wonderfully healthy, especially in preparation for a long day.
Nutritional value isn’t all oats have to offer, they also boast a variety of flavors. Social Media influencer @tracesoats devoted an entire page to the endless potential of oats, including a stunning selection of unique oatmeals. Baked oatmeal has also become increasingly popular (some people look down upon the texture of a good bowl of oatmeal). It can be flavored with sugars and spices, creamers (I put Trader Joes’ Brown Sugar Oat Milk Creamer in mine sometimes) and chocolate chips. The possibilities are limitless.
Lastly, refer back to the convenience. In a rush? Microwave oatmeal takes me three minutes to make, tops. Instant oatmeal is even quicker. Don’t have a microwave or hot water or looking for something else? Overnight oats are made the night before and are pack-and-go ready by morning. On a weekend it’s a little extra work to make it in a pot or a rice cooker, but I’d argue it’s worth it if you’re really interested in elevating your oatmeal.