Introduction
Oatmeal is a nutritious and delicious breakfast option that can provide you with a great start to your day. Unfortunately, not all oatmeal brands are created equal. Many oatmeal brands contain added sugars, artificial flavors, and other unhealthy ingredients. In this article, we will discuss 8 oatmeal brands to stay away from right now. We will look at the unhealthy ingredients they contain, as well as healthier alternatives that you can choose instead. By avoiding these unhealthy oatmeal brands, you can ensure that you are getting the most out of your breakfast.
8 Oatmeal Brands To Stay Away From Right Now
Oatmeal is a great way to start your day, but not all oatmeal brands are created equal. Some oatmeal brands contain unhealthy ingredients, while others are simply overpriced. To help you make the best choice for your breakfast, here are 8 oatmeal brands to stay away from right now.
1. Quaker Oats
Quaker Oats is one of the most popular oatmeal brands, but it’s not the healthiest. Quaker Oats contains added sugar, artificial flavors, and preservatives. It also contains high levels of sodium, which can be unhealthy for some people.
2. Nature’s Path
Nature’s Path is another popular oatmeal brand, but it’s not the best choice. Nature’s Path contains added sugar, artificial flavors, and preservatives. It also contains high levels of sodium, which can be unhealthy for some people.
3. Bob’s Red Mill
Bob’s Red Mill is a popular oatmeal brand, but it’s not the healthiest. Bob’s Red Mill contains added sugar, artificial flavors, and preservatives. It also contains high levels of sodium, which can be unhealthy for some people.
4. McCann’s Irish Oatmeal
McCann’s Irish Oatmeal is a popular oatmeal brand, but it’s not the healthiest. McCann’s Irish Oatmeal contains added sugar, artificial flavors, and preservatives. It also contains high levels of sodium, which can be unhealthy for some people.
5. Kashi
Kashi is a popular oatmeal brand, but it’s not the healthiest. Kashi contains added sugar, artificial flavors, and preservatives. It also contains high levels of sodium, which can be unhealthy for some people.
6. 365 Everyday Value
365 Everyday Value is a popular oatmeal brand, but it’s not the healthiest. 365 Everyday Value contains added sugar, artificial flavors, and preservatives. It also contains high levels of sodium, which can be unhealthy for some people.
7. Great Value
Great Value is a popular oatmeal brand, but it’s not the healthiest. Great Value contains added sugar, artificial flavors, and preservatives. It also contains high levels of sodium, which can be unhealthy for some people.
8. Quaker Instant Oatmeal
Quaker Instant Oatmeal is a popular oatmeal brand, but it’s not the healthiest. Quaker Instant Oatmeal contains added sugar, artificial flavors, and preservatives. It also contains high levels of sodium, which can be unhealthy for some people.
When it comes to oatmeal, it’s important to choose a brand that is healthy and nutritious. Avoid these 8 oatmeal brands to stay away from right now and opt for a healthier option.
Do you love to enjoy a warm bowl of oatmeal for breakfast? Are you prepping overnight oats to enjoy in the morning? It’s an often healthy breakfast, but some prepacked oats may only appear so.
Brands use labels like gluten-free, collagen, protein, and vegan to seem healthier than they are. Foods can undoubtedly be gluten-free or vegan but contain added ingredients that make them not worth it. But which one should we stay away from?
We consulted two registered dietitians to help determine which oatmeal brands to avoid: Lisa Young, author of Finally Full, Finally Slim & The Portion Teller Plan, and Toby Amidor, award-winning nutrition expert and Wall Street Journal best-selling author of Diabetes Create Your Plate Meal Prep Cookbook. Here’s what they recommend.
PER PACKET: 160 calories, 2 g fat (0.5 g saturated fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 260 mg sodium, 33 g carbs (3 g fiber, 12 g sugar), 4 g protein
“This oatmeal contains too much sugar and salt—with 12 grams of sugar and 260 milligrams sodium, I’d stay away from this option,” says Young.
Amidor agrees, noting, “There are 12 grams of added sugar in this instant oatmeal, which can be used occasionally when in a bind, but there really are other options with the main difference being the added sugar. Many other brands out there have less added sugar.”
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PER CONTAINER: 230 calories, 5 g fat (0.5 g saturated fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 135 mg sodium, 37 g carbs (5 g fiber, 9 g sugar), 9 g protein
This oat cup with collagen is a prime example of seeming to be a good choice. However, Young points out some problems.
“I prefer not to have collagen in my oatmeal, so it wouldn’t be a top choice,” she says. “Plus, the dried blueberries contain added sugar, and this oatmeal is over 200 calories.” Young isn’t a fan of powders and prefers to get nutrients from whole foods.
PER PACKET: 170 calories, 6 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 125 mg sodium, 28 g carbs (4 g fiber, 9 g sugar), 5 g protein
KIND is known for its snack bars, which can be a healthy choice. However, its oatmeal is a different story.
“I’d stay away from this option as it contains chocolate and over two teaspoons of added sugar,” Young adds.
PER CONTAINER: 170 calories, 1.5 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 200 mg sodium, 37 g carbs (3 g fiber, 21 g sugar), 3 g protein
Both of our dietitians agree to stay away from this Kroger oatmeal. The main reason is the sugar content.
“With sugar listed as the second ingredient and 21 grams sugar, I’d stay away. It also has a super long ingredient list as far as oatmeal goes,” Young advises.
“The added sugar is 21 grams per serving, which is WAY higher than most other brands on the market. This one I would surely skip,” Amidor agrees.
PER POUCH OATMEAL + 1 POUCH TOPPING: 140 calories, 2 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 115 mg sodium, 30 g carbs (2 g fiber, 12 g sugar), 3 g protein
Lucky Charms and oatmeal fans may be excited about the new Lucky Charms instant oatmeal, but the added sugar is a concern.
“With sugar and corn starch as the second and third ingredients, this instant oatmeal would not be my top choice. It also contains too much added sugar (3 teaspoons!),” Young explains. She notes that cornstarch is a highly processed, refined carb that has no nutrients. The nostalgia isn’t worth it.
PER CONTAINER: 220 calories, 6 g fat (0.5 g saturated fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 105 mg sodium, 35 g carbs (6 g fiber, 10 g sugar), 6 g protein
Mush Overnight Oats is a perfect example of something that seems healthy but may be deceiving. With labels like gluten-free and vegan, what could be wrong?
“Although oats are certainly healthy, if someone is looking to watch their calorie intake or complement the oats with another food like fruit, the calories in this portion are high than many other brands on the market at 220 per serving,” Amidor explains.
She also points out that because it uses almond milk, the calcium and vitamin D contents are lower than cow milk. That’s a concern because Americans are typically not getting enough of both of these nutrients.
PER 1 PACKET: 150 calories, 2 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 95 mg sodium, 31 g carbs (3 g fiber, 12 g sugar), 4 g protein
Greenwise instant oatmeal looks innocent, but the amount of sugar is concerning.
“There are 12 grams of added sugar in this instant oatmeal. You can find better options with less added sugar on the market instead,” says Amidor.
PER CONTAINER: 280 calories, 7 g fat (0.82 g saturated fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 250 mg sodium, 44 g carbs (5 g fiber, 11 g sugar), 9 g protein
Last but not least is Umpqua oats. Amidor chose this one to stay away from.
“With 280 calories per serving, it has one of the highest calorie counts on the market. There are so many other options to choose from with similar (or less) amounts of added sugar and fewer calories,” says Amidor.