3 Ways to Give Your Oatmeal Bowl a Boost (And The 3 Main Types of Oats)

Oatmeal is a staple in the American diet, and one that I actually don't mind being there to stay! Oats have been connected with lowering cholesterol thanks to their special fiber load. They also have a unique antioxidant that fights off free radicals, thereby protecting the cardiovascular system. And due to their fibrous nature, they are an excellent choice for blood sugar stabilization.

So don't let oats get boring! 

Making Basic Oatmeal

Bring 1 cup of water to a boil with 1 tsp. sea salt. Add 1/2 cup uncooked rolled oats (and any other treats from the list below once oats have begun cooking). Bring to simmer and let cook uncovered for 3-5 minutes.

3 Ways to Give Your Oatmeal Bowl a Boost

1. Today (shown above) I added a tsp. of lemon zest, along with a generous dose of coconut milk, sliced strawberries and a drizzle of raw honey. 

2. For thicker oatmeal, try mixing in 1 tbsp. of grass-fed gelatin, psyllium husks, chia seeds, raw protein powder OR 1 egg white. 

3. Toppings besides fresh fruit and nuts: apple sauce, cinnamon, whole yogurt, citrus zest, organic stevia extract, pure maple syrup, ground flax seed, or frozen berries melted in while cooking.

3 Main Types of Oats

Rolled oats are oat groats that have been de-husked, steamed, and then rolled into flat flakes before being lightly toasted.

Steel cut oats are just whole grain groats that have been chopped and cut into pieces (as opposed to rolled flat). They're popular in England and Scotland, and they have a chewier texture than regular rolled oatmeal. 

Quick oats have been rolled even flatter and thinner in order to cook faster. Typically when oats say "instant" it's because they've been highly processed, flattened, cooked and dehydrated already in order to really speed up the process. Avoid these.