Winter mornings call for warm, comforting breakfasts—so leave the flakes outside and fill your bowl with healthy hot cereal.
Research shows that oats and oat-based products can significantly lower cholesterol, so we asked Mindful Menus nutritionists Lauren Slayton, MS RD and Caren Tishfield for advice on the best varieties and DIY toppings.
Label basics: Look for products with fewer than 200 calories, 10g of sugar, and over 4g of fiber per serving. They recommend Amy’s Breakfast Bowls (Multigrain Hot Cereal or Cream of Rice), Dr. McDougall’s Light Organic Oatmeal and Nature’s Path Hemp Plus.
For calorie-free punch, pour on cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, pumpkin spice or stevia.
Make it sweet by mixing in a cup of fruit (berries, banana, apple, peaches), 1 tbsp of cocoa powder, or 2 tbsp of dried goji berries, cranberries, raisins, or shredded coconut (about 50 calories each).
Add an energy boost with 2 tbsp of ground flaxseed, 10 chopped hazelnuts, or 1 tbsp of natural nut butter like peanut or cashew (about 50-100 calories each).
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