Hot Breakfast in a Hurry (Oatmeal Reviews!)

Hungry-Girl

These days, oatmeal seems to be the hottest breakfast item around -- no pun intended. A bunch of quick-service places have recently added it to their lineup of grab-n-go pastries and muffins, and we're thrilled. Here's a quick rundown of three places offering fast and filling oatmeal options, and what you can expect in terms of taste AND calories...


Starbucks - Perfect Oatmeal



PER SERVING (1 container, nothing added): 140 calories, 2.5g fat, 105mg sodium, 25g carbs, 4g fiber, 0g sugars, 5g protein

SB was the first of the quick-service places to start doing fast oatmeal, and while its oats may not be as fancy as some others, we love it. It's basic, to-the-point, no-messing-around oatmeal. You can get it with a 50-calorie packet of brown sugar and 100-calorie packets of dried fruit and nuts. (Add all of them, and the calorie count is nearly 400, so pick 'n choose.) No frou-frou gimmicks, no pie topping. It's really filling, guilt-free, and customizable. Pretty close to perfect, if you ask us.


Jamba Juice - Hot Oatmeal

PER SERVING (1 order, plain): 220 calories, 3.5g fat, 20mg sodium, 44g carbs, 5g fiber, 12g sugars, 8g protein

Hot Oatmeal, Jamba? As opposed to a cold oatmeal smoothie? We kid. So this oatmeal base DOES start a little higher in calories and fat than the Starbucks stuff, but it's made with soymilk, so you get a little more protein, too. It's offered with simple toppings, like brown sugar or bananas, and more decadent offerings, like Blueberry & Blackberry and Apple Cinnamon. Fancy stuff, just make sure they don't throw it into all in a blender with some sherbet.


Caribou Coffee - Classic Oatmeal



PER SERVING (1 order, plain, oatmeal blend with skim milk): 280 calories, 4g fat, 180mg sodium, 52g carbs, 7g fiber, 9g sugars, 9g protein

OK, they're getting REALLY elaborate with the cereal over at Caribou. Not only do you get to pick what kind of milk your oatmeal is made with (2%, skim, or soy), but you ALSO get your pick of the Oatmeal Blend (oats and barley) or 7-Grain Blend (oats, barley, millet, spelt, rye, triticale and wheat). WOW. AND you can get it with toppings: Maple Brown Sugar Crunch, Apple Cinnamon, Cranberry Orange, or Very Berry (that last vague one has dried cranberries, raisins, almonds, and strawberry compote). The highest-calorie combination of these would be the Very Berry made with the 7-Grain Blend and 2% milk, which would have 480 calories and 9g fat... but also 10g fiber and 17g protein.


Best At-Home Oatmeal Picks!


Kashi GoLean Instant Hot Cereal

PER SERVING (1 packet): 150 calories, 2g fat, 100mg sodium, 25 - 26g carbs, 5 - 7g fiber, 6 - 7g sugars, 8 - 9g protein

If you like the heartiness of slow-cooked grain cereals but the ease of instant packets, this is your breakfast. You get Kashi's trademark "7 whole grains" treatment, plus a lightly sweetened delicious flavor. In Creamy Truly Vanilla and Hearty Honey Cinnamon, this item will treat both your body AND your taste buds to the good stuff they deserve.

Quaker True Delights Instant Oatmeal



PER SERVING (1 packet): 150 calories, 2 - 2.5g fat, 200mg sodium, 28 - 29g carbs, 4g fiber, 9g sugars, 2 - 5g protein

Quaker has been the go-to brand for oatmeal since the dawn of oatmeal. (OK, it's more like since 1901; thanks, Internet!) So it's no big surprise to hear that the company's come up with some fun new flavors for their instant packets of oats. This sweet stuff comes in Wild Blueberry Muffin (dead on, flavor-wise) and Hazelnut Latte (more hazelnut than latte in taste, but very good). Nicely done!




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