We’ve all been there. Running out the door, car keys in hand, cell phone precariously perched in a pocket, rain jacket-snow boots-flip flops (for those of us who live in crazy New England and are always prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws at us!) all stuffed into a bag dangling from your arm when you hear a rumble from the depths of your stomach. Then it hits you: in the chaos that was your morning, you forgot to eat the belly-warming, fiber-full breakfast that you need to kickstart your day. What are the options? Grab something on the fly hoping it will fill you up or put a hold on starting your day? Alas, the busy morning conundrum!

I often write about starting my day off with oatmeal since it really is the ideal food to give you fuel for the day. Unique among grains, oats almost never have their bran and germ removed in processing so you’re virtually guaranteed to be getting whole grain. Oats also naturally have a sweet flavor that makes them perfect for use in breakfast cereals. Not only do they have a delicious taste, but studies have shown that they have a score of health benefits including (but certainly not limited to) potentially lowering blood pressure and “bad” cholesterol, and helping control weight because they keep you feeling full longer (certainly what you need for a busy morning!).  Plus they are higher in protein and healthy fats, and lower in carbohydrates than most other whole grains.  

So what am I getting at? Yes, oats are great for breakfast… but there are some mornings when even making instant oatmeal before you go seems daunting. What if there was an easy way to make oatmeal on the company coffee machine when you arrive at work? Well now there is! Making a bowl of oatmeal can be as easy as making a cup of Keurig coffee; push a button, stir in some nuts and fruit and voila! While the Keurig machine already brews hot water that can be used for instant oatmeal, the “Bistro Cups Oatmeal” is a “one and done” method. The Keurig machine creates hot water that runs through a single serve capsule (or K-Cup); the cup has a flavor that mixes into the oats in the bowl/mug, hydrating the oats and giving them flavor. Each serving also contains an individual serving of fruit and nuts that gets mixed into the oatmeal, adding extra fiber and protein. This new way of making oatmeal also eliminates handling hot water, making it easier for kids to do and each cup is a single serving making it ideal for breakfast or a quick snack.

While this new method is certainly a convenient (and delicious!) way to enjoy oatmeal, there are so many fun ways to incorporate oats into your diet. From sweet to savory and breakfast to dinner, oats can be used in so many creative ways to make any dish memorable, nutritious and delicious. How do you eat your oats? Check out some recipes from the Whole Grains Council below, for a little inspiration. (Mallory)

Baked Blueberry & Peach Oatmeal
Oat-y-licious Wheat Bread
Lean and Comforting Mini – Meatloafs
Spicy Oat Crusted Chicken with Sunshine Salsa
Oatmeal “Risotto” w/ Cherry Tomatoes & Basil
Three Pepper Oat Pilaf