Introduction
If you’re trying to lose weight, you may think that oatmeal is a healthy breakfast choice. But according to dietitian, there are some oatmeal habits that can actually hinder your weight loss goals. In this article, we’ll discuss the worst oatmeal habits for weight loss and provide tips on how to make oatmeal a healthier part of your diet. We’ll also provide some delicious oatmeal recipes that are sure to help you reach your weight loss goals. So, if you’re looking to make oatmeal a part of your weight loss plan, read on to learn more!
The Worst Oatmeal Habits for Weight Loss, Says Dietitian — Eat This Not That
Oatmeal is a popular breakfast choice for those looking to lose weight, but it can be easy to fall into bad habits when it comes to eating oatmeal. According to dietitian and nutritionist, Karen Ansel, there are certain oatmeal habits that can sabotage your weight loss goals. Here are the worst oatmeal habits for weight loss, and what you should be eating instead.
1. Adding Too Much Sweetener
Adding too much sugar or sweetener to your oatmeal can quickly turn a healthy breakfast into an unhealthy one. Ansel recommends using a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup, but in moderation. She also suggests adding fresh or frozen fruit to your oatmeal for a natural sweetness.
2. Eating Too Much
Oatmeal is a great source of fiber and protein, but it can be easy to overeat. Ansel recommends measuring out a single serving of oatmeal and sticking to it. If you’re still hungry after eating, she suggests adding a handful of nuts or seeds for extra protein and healthy fats.
3. Not Adding Protein
Oatmeal is a great source of carbohydrates, but it doesn’t provide much protein. Ansel recommends adding a scoop of protein powder or a handful of nuts or seeds to your oatmeal to increase the protein content. This will help keep you full for longer and help you reach your weight loss goals.
4. Not Adding Healthy Fats
Healthy fats are an important part of any diet, and oatmeal is no exception. Ansel recommends adding a tablespoon of nut butter or a handful of nuts or seeds to your oatmeal for a boost of healthy fats. This will help keep you full for longer and provide essential nutrients.
5. Eating Processed Oatmeal
Processed oatmeal can be convenient, but it’s often loaded with added sugar and other unhealthy ingredients. Ansel recommends avoiding processed oatmeal and sticking to plain, old-fashioned oats. This will help you avoid added sugar and other unhealthy ingredients.
By avoiding these bad oatmeal habits, you can make sure that your oatmeal is helping you reach your weight loss goals. Eating oatmeal can be a great way to start your day, but it’s important to make sure you’re eating it the right way.
Oatmeal may be one of the healthiest breakfast options for you when you’re trying to lose weight. With its high fiber content and potential for protein-heavy toppings, it can be the perfect way to start your day.
Unfortunately, even the healthiest foods have the potential to become unhealthy. Although oatmeal can help you with your weight loss goals, it can interrupt them as well. This is why we talked with Courtney D’Angelo, MS, RD, author at GoWellness to learn some of the unhealthiest oatmeal habits to have when you’re trying to lose weight.
Continue reading to learn more about unhealthy oatmeal habits, and for more healthy breakfast tips make sure to check out 13 Cozy Breakfast Recipes For Weight Loss.
Oatmeal is a healthy carbohydrate with a good amount of fiber, but D’Angelo warns that you won’t have much of a balanced meal if you eat the oats plain.
“Oatmeal is low in calories and contains little to no protein or fat, so chances are you’re going to be hungry again soon after you eat it, which may lead to you reaching for unhealthy snacks later,” says D’Angelo.
Because of this, she suggests “adding more fiber and protein to your oatmeal to maximize satiety and prevent a blood sugar spike.”
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Adding sweeteners to your oatmeal, like maple syrup, honey, or brown sugar, might be delicious, but it’s important to monitor how much you’re consuming because it can add up more quickly than we may realize.
“Adding sugar to your oatmeal can spike your blood sugar levels, which means your body will start relying on more sugar intake throughout the day,” says D’Angelo. “Try adding in fresh berries instead, which have natural sugar as well as antioxidants, which have numerous health benefits.”
A fun aspect of oatmeal is being able to dress it up with your favorite toppings like fruit, nuts, or almond butter. However, D’Angelo mentions that if you’re trying to lose weight, you may benefit from limiting your number of toppings.
“Having too many toppings can add up your overall calories, so stick to a few toppings that are proven to help with weight loss, such as protein, fruits, and fiber,” she says.
Here’s The #1 Worst Oatmeal Habit For Weight Loss.
And finally, one of the worst oatmeal habits to adopt if you’re trying to lose weight is not including enough protein in your meal. According to D’Angelo, “increasing your protein intake is key if you’re trying to lose weight because protein helps reduce the hunger hormone and boosts several satiety hormones, which results in you feeling fuller longer and a major reduction in hunger.”
You can increase your protein intake by adding in some protein-heavy toppings like nuts or protein powder, or you can include a breakfast side item like eggs or turkey sausage.
At the end of the day, oatmeal is still a delicious, easy, healthy way to start your day, especially if you’re on the path to weight loss. Now that you are aware of some of the ways your oatmeal has the potential to derail your health goals, you can feel better prepared next time you go to boil your favorite oats.
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