Healthy Breakfast Ideas-4 Simple Oatmeal Recipes

Oatmeal is a great choice for breakfast. My father used to say that it "sticks to your ribs", which means it leaves you with a full feeling. This is because of the high content of soluble fiber, which will keep you from snacking all morning until lunch time.

Perhaps you already enjoy oatmeal for breakfast because of its health benefits. After all, oatmeal is known for possibly lowering blood pressure and harmful cholesterol levels in the body. Do you get bored with the same, plain bowl of hot porridge or oatmeal? If so, these four recipes will help you switch things up.

Aunt Sallie´s Thick & Chunky Oatmeal is just that: a bowl of chewy, toothsome oatmeal. One of my favorites, you will savor every bite. Opal´s Smooth & Creamy Oatmeal is a better choice for those who enjoy a creamy texture. The addition of egg provides the added benefit of a higher protein breakfast. Peruvian-Style Drinkable Oatmeal is a great choice for children or those who want a quick breakfast they can take with them and drink during the commute to work. Or, store it in a thermos and enjoy it later in the morning. Last but not least, Bircher´s Swiss Muesli is a cold breakfast oatmeal you can prepare the night before. It keeps well in the refrigerator for a few days and also makes a great snack.

I´ve also included information on healthier sweetening choices and the benefits of eating oats. Eat more oatmeal and reap the benefits of improved health. Enjoy!

Thanks to the addition of an egg, this oatmeal is creamier and higher in protein than other types.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup regular rolled oats
• 1 cup water
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter
• pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add oats and stir over heat, 1-2 minutes, until golden in color.
2. Add water, milk, beaten egg, sugar, salt and cinnamon.
3. Bring to a boil and simmer, stirring, for a minute. Remove from heat, add vanilla, stir and cover. Allow to rest for several minutes, until thickened.
4. Serve with more milk or yogurt, if desired. Sprinkle with chopped nuts or dried fruit.

This hot, drinkable oatmeal is great for a quick, winter morning breakfast.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup milk
• 2 Tablespoons quick oats
• 1 apple, peeled, seeded and cored or 1 ripe banana
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Place all ingredients in a blender container. Blend on high until well combined.
2. Pour blended oatmeal into a medium saucepan over medium heat.
3. Bring to a boil and reduce to medium-low. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes.
4. Serve in mugs.

Although in the United States oats are usually cooked before consumption, raw oats soaked in yogurt, milk or fruit juice are commonly eaten in Europe. This Swiss-style muesli is not the dry granola-style cereal that is well-known in the United States. It is a creamy, cold cereal that can also be enjoyed at breakfast or throughout the day as a filling and healthful snack. Click the following link for the recipe:

Delicious Bircher´s Swiss Muesli

Although grated apple is the traditional base for this cereal, you can use any chopped fruit that you like. Instead of milk, try fruit juice. Enjoy it with homemade yogurt. Click here to learn how to make your own yogurt: How to Make Yogurt at Home.

• Weight loss: Oats contain more soluble fiber than most grains. Soluble fiber absorbs large quantities of water, which slows the digestive process and makes you feel fuller longer, helping to control weight gain.
• Digestibility: Oats are more digestible than other grains due to soluble fiber content. Although in the United States oats are most often consumed in cooked form, raw oats are easily digested. Just soak them for at least 30 minutes in yogurt and milk before consumption.
• Cardiovascular health: You´ve probably read that oats can help lower harmful cholesterol while increasing good cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of heart disease. Oats also regulate blood glucose levels and may reduce high blood pressure and the risk of certain cancers, such as colorectal cancer.
• Mental health: Oats contain inositol which acts as a natural anti-depressant.
• Nutrition: Oats contain B vitamins, which help your body metabolize fats, proteins, carbohydrates and nucleic acids. Oats are also a good source of vitamins such as thiamin, folic acid, biotin, pantothenic acid and Vitamin E, as well as many minerals beneficial to the human body.

Coconut palm sugar has just recently come onto the commercial scene. It has a deep caramel flavor similar to brown sugar, but is unrefined and low on the glycemic index. This means that you won´t suffer the same "crash" that often comes after eating highly refined sugars. Coconut palm sugar is made from fresh coconut tree sap and contains B vitamins and many minerals.

Other great choices to sweeten your oatmeal or porridge include maple syrup or sugar, honey and stevia for those who can´t tolerate sugar.

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