Oatmeal brands are coming up with all possible tempting flavors to coax people to eat the cereal. However, with scores of brands and their offerings out there, which one should you choose? Let’s find out …
Priced at $2.38 per serving in New York, the oatmeal served at McDonald’s is said to contain more sugar than a Snickers bar. So much for the health factor!
Oatmeal needs no introduction; it’s well-known for its nutritional value and plethora of health benefits. It’s gradually gaining popularity as a healthy breakfast option. However, with cold cereals as the clear favorite, not everybody takes to this hot cereal option. So, to give this winter staple that ‘oomph’ factor, oat manufacturers have introduced a seemingly endless list of flavored oatmeal.
Flavors range from apple and cinnamon to chocolate to peaches and cream, and so on. Some tout about furnishing your body with omega-3 fatty acids, while others claim to provide the necessary vitamins and minerals. In fact, each brand offers a whole range of flavors, with some even offering over 20 variations for you to choose from. Now, with so many brands and their flavors flooding the supermarket shelves, how does one figure out which one to pick?
Although there are several flavors available out there, in this NutriNeat article, we’ll only be looking at some of the most popular ones.
Oatmeal with apple and cinnamon … sounds delicious, isn’t it? But how many brands offer the promised flavor? While some lack the freshness and fruitiness of apples, others go overboard on the cinnamon. Then again, some have a terribly pasty texture, while others have a runny consistency. So, which brands offer good flavor with texture? Let’s find out.
BetterOats
Although this brand is a considerably new entrant into the oatmeal market, it has managed to dole out some pretty flavorful oatmeal. Like its plain classic version, its apple and cinnamon version also tastes superior to other brands. It comes with lovely pieces of apples that give the oatmeal a nice bite and juicy flavor. The apple-cinnamon ratio is also well-balanced. Nutritional Value |
McCANN’S
This brand touts using some of the best quality oats available on the planet, and is imported all the way from Ireland. Their Irish oats are grown on rich, fertile soil of the Irish plains, thereby, giving them their unique flavor. The apple and cinnamon variety has a lovely texture and flavor, with nice chewy apple bits and hints of cinnamon coming through beautifully. Nutritional Value |
Sweetened with maple and brown sugar, this oatmeal flavor is savored by those with a sweet tooth. While some find it a highly sugary breakfast, others like the flavor that the maple syrup imparts to the oatmeal.
TRADER JOE’S
This oatmeal brand is known for using natural ingredients in its oatmeal, including whole grain rolled oats and natural maple syrup, along with brown sugar flavors that give it a nice, dark maple color. This brand is void of artificial ingredients, preservatives, colors, and above all, the highly detested high fructose corn syrup. In terms of flavor, it is not gluey and has a good oatmeal-like texture; however, it may be a little too sweet for some people. Nutritional Value |
BetterOats
As with all their oatmeal variations, BetterOats once again shines in this category, with its glorious maple sugar aroma and its nearly perfect brown color. The oatmeal is smooth, creamy, and delicious, with the flavors of maple syrup coming through perfectly. However, artificial flavorings have also been added to enhance the flavor. Nutritional Value |
three sisters
If you’re looking for a hot cereal infused with rich flavors of chocolate, then this is the cereal to try out. It combines your favorite chocolate morsels with your morning hot cereal to bring about a delicious, yet nutritious breakfast. The chocolate morsels melt in the hot water, resulting into a lovely chocolaty goo of oatmeal. The best part is that it is free from artificial flavors, hydrogenated oils, and high fructose corn syrup. Nutritional Value |
BetterOats
Coming from the Lavish brand line, the packaging is simply outstanding. With its dark chocolate cover and tempting line ‘made with real chocolate morsels’, this oatmeal pack is sure to entice even the most health conscious of people. However, in terms of flavor, it doesn’t leap out as the packaging. Although not exceptionally great, this chocolate oatmeal adds a nice, delicate chocolate touch to your breakfast. Nutritional Value |
Blueberry muffin, peaches and cream, strawberries and cream, raisin and spice, etc., are some of the other flavors you can try out. If you are confused about the brand you should choose, pick BetterOats. Irrespective of the flavor you choose, this brand comes with a lovely texture and also tastes great. It’s definitely a safer bargain.
Always peruse through the nutritional label before purchasing a particular brand. Check the sugar, sodium, calorie content, etc., and also check the serving size mentioned. Flavored oatmeal no doubt is flavorful and tempting; however, consider the amount of sugar, salt, coloring, artificial flavorings, and preservatives you’re ingesting with every bowl. Add some fresh fruits, nuts, honey, cinnamon, etc., to add flavor to some of the regular oatmeal brands, and you’ll be consuming a healthy bowl of oats, instead of unwanted ingredients.