Oatmealis one of thehealthiest breakfastsyou can choose to start your day with.
“Fiber can help keep you fuller longer and help lower cholesterol.
It’s also great formanaging blood sugarand overallgut health.
Shutterstock
However, not all oatmeals are healthy for you, especially when it comes topre-packaged oatmeal options.
But let’s be realthey are convenient, quick, and easy.
Oats should be the first ingredient.
Courtesy of ShopFoodEx.com
Don’t look overstore brand or generic quick oats.
“Don’t be turned off by purchasing the store label or generic brand,” she says.
Look for options that are low inadded sugarsand high in protein.
Quaker
“For example, you might see the label ‘Lower Sugar,'” says Pankonin.
“Look for options that might contain more protein and few added sugars.
For example, you might see the label ‘Protein’ listed beside the flavor on the package.”
Courtesy of Whole Foods Market
They containa lot of sugar.
“For women, that’s no more than 100 calories per day or 25 grams of added sugar.
For men, it’s 150 calories per day, or about 36 grams.”
Nature’s Path
They share the same name as popular breakfast cereals.
“These flavored oatmeal packets can be high in added sugar and sodium,” says Pankonin.
“It’s important to ensure you are reading nutrition facts labels to compare.”
They’re in an assorted variety pack.
“The nutrition facts can vary between the different flavors,” says Pankonin.
“Instead, read the labels and purchase the variety with the lowest amount of sugar and sodium.”
They’re labeled as dessert flavors.
Keep in mind: organic does not equal healthy.
“Be sure to read the nutrition facts label to compare options.”
If you must buy this, try making theseOatmeal Combinations for Faster Weight Loss, Says Nutritionist.
Take this 365 Whole Foods Market oatmeal cup, for example.
“The 19 grams of added sugar is a lot,” says Valdez.
“In this oatmeal that’s about 38% of the DV recommendation.”
Every Instant Oatmeal in AmericaRanked!