Does anyone else put jam or jelly in their oatmeal? I tried this at work the other day, cause they stock the kitchen with various breakfast and sandwich foods... 1 cup of dry oats out of a canister, water, a dash of salt, and then when it comes out of the microwave, a tablespoon of strawberry jam and some Splenda? I thought I was in heaven, it was so sweet and fruity! I figured 350 calories for the oats and jam, but it was a huge bowl full of awesomeness, and I didn't want much for lunch that day.
What else can you put in plain homemade oatmeal to jazz it up? I've ordered some liquid Stevia off Amazon (I know Splenda isn't the most natural stuff), and I might try mashing up a banana in there before I cook it next time... mmm.
I cook my oatmeal in vanilla soy milk and add fresh blueberries. If you like it sweet, you can add agave nectar. (Agave is 60 calories per tablespoon, but all natural.)
Sometimes, I add Torani or DaVinci sugarfree syrup -- the caramel or sometimes the amaretto. (I found them in the tiny gourmet food section at my local TJ Maxx.)
I've also added almond extract or Mapleine (artificial maple) flavoring with some Splenda.
Peanut butter or almond butter stirred through oatmeal can be awesome.
I've also added canned pumpkin with pumpkin pie spice & Splenda.
Mashed bananas before you cook it is also highly recommended.
I've added: fresh/dried/frozen fruit, peanut butter, canned pumpkin, jam/jelly, syrup (fruit or maple), chocolate chips, nuts/seeds, yogurt, you name it. Oatmeal is pretty flexible that way.
That's pretty cool that your work stocks breakfast/lunch food!
First, I use old fashioned oats and fat free milk for cooking in place of water. I want to try steel cut but haven't yet. I usually add cinnamon, 2 Tablespoons chopped dried fruit (cherries, raisins, mixed) and 2 Tablespoons chopped walnuts. Sometimes instead of the dried fruit I chop up a fresh apple and use that. The walnuts (good fat) and fruit do add calories, of course, but I think it's worth it, plus they are nutritious. Very satisfying!
Last edited by AnnieLaurie; 02-06-2009 at 04:56 PM.
I get the no-sugar added jams which are about 20-30 cal per serving. I also buy powdered low fat-low cal chocolate peanut butter which is great mixed in with oatmeal. The powdered PB is also good along with bananas. You can also add extracts (I especially like coconut extract), pudding or jello mixes or hot chocolate.
My current favorite is oats with blueberries, 1t blueberry NSA fruit spread, and half a banana chopped up in it after it's cooked.
If you're interested in the peanut butter, I order PB2 on-line from Bell Plantation. 1T is about 25 cal and less than 1g fat. It's also low in sodium and sugar.
I add honey and cinnamon to my oatmeal. I never thought about jam. I have to try that. I keep banana in my home often. Maybe I should try adding those too.
Jam in oatmeal?
I tried this at work the other day, cause they stock the kitchen with various breakfast and sandwich foods... 1 cup of dry oats out of a canister, water, a dash of salt, and then when it comes out of the microwave, a tablespoon of strawberry jam and some Splenda? I thought I was in heaven, it was so sweet and fruity! I figured 350 calories for the oats and jam, but it was a huge bowl full of awesomeness, and I didn't want much for lunch that day. 
