On cold mornings, I love digging into a bowl of chewy, steel cut oatmeal. Problem: Since steel cut oats are less processed than regular, they take 20 minutes to cook. Since I’m the only one who eats breakfast around here, I don’t want to fuss.
I have started buying Better Oats Steel Cut Instant Oatmeal With Flax Seeds, which take only 2 1/2 minutes to cook. While the result is not quite like regular steel cut oatmeal, it is good enough.
When I eat chewy foods like steel cut oatmeal – named so because the oats are cut coarsely, with a steel blade – I eat more slowly. Eating slowly is a good habit, as research shows slowing down when eating increases meal satisfaction. Oatmeal also is a good source of fiber, which is filling and good for heart and blood sugar health.
The oats are extremely easy to make – no measuring cup! Just tear the paper envelope, and pour water to the dotted line. Dump oats in bowl, microwave for exactly 2 1/2 minutes.
The packets would be especially handy for travel or in a care package for a loved one who is under the (cold) weather.
A single serving of unsweetened Better Oats contains 120 calories, 22 grams of carbs and no added sugar. That’s not many calories for breakfast, so I like to add stuff.
For added protein, I usually stir in some powdered peanut butter flour (I like PB2) or a tablespoon of natural peanut butter. Other good add-ins include: fruit (fresh or frozen thawed) and some nuts. Another idea: Target makes a very nice line of Good & Gather granolas that are lower in sugar than typical granolas. A tablespoon adds a pleasant, sweet crunch with under five carbs.
Better Oats Instant Steel Cut Oats With Flax Seeds comes in a box of 10 packets for $3.99.
While the sweetened versions of instant steel cut Better Oats are easy to find (no surprise) the best way to find the unsweetened variety is to go to the company’s website and type in your zip code. When I did this, I found several nearby groceries that carried them. To save aggravation, before you go to the store, call and ask if the oats actually are in stock.
Enjoy a warm, quick breakfast on cold mornings!