A "Nutritionally Hot" Recipe for Oatmeal

A steaming hot bowl of oatmeal provides a delicious - and healthy - start to a day. Eating oats may help protect against high blood cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. Here are three ideas to boost the nutrition further:

Make oatmeal with calcium-rich milk instead of water. Follow the same directions given for water, just use milk instead.

Kick the nutrition up another notch by serving oatmeal with antioxidant-rich berries, either fresh or frozen. Quickly thaw frozen berries and cool the oatmeal at same time by tossing the berries directly into each dish of hot oatmeal.
Sprinkle oatmeal with cinnamon for sweetness and possible health benefits. Cinnamon is one of the sweeter spices and adds flavor without calories. With a dusting of cinnamon, a smaller amount or perhaps none at all of caloric sweeteners may be needed.

Some research indicates as little as one fourth teaspoon to one half teaspoon of cinnamon a day may help lower blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides. It also may improve insulin function, especially in people with type 2 diabetes. Large doses, however, could be harmful. If you're under treatment for high blood sugar, check with your healthcare provider before self-treating yourself with cinnamon as it could affect the level of medications you need.

Ever wonder about the difference between the different types of oatmeal?

"Instant" oatmeal may have salt added to it--check the "Nutrition Facts" label if reducing dietary sodium is important for you.
"Quick" or "quick-cooking" oatmeal will take slightly longer to cook than instant versions. It is usually made without added salt--check the "Nutrition Facts" label for sodium.
"Old-fashioned" oats take longer to cook than instant and quick/quick-cooking oats and also are usually made without salt.

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