Oatmeal is a staple carbohydrate in so many of our diets. Not only is it so versatile but it is one of the best carbohydrates you can eat. It has been shown to help lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart disease and help you control your weight. The soluble fiber in oatmeal helps slow down the digestion, keeping you fuller longer. Oatmeal also contains a wide variety of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, so all the more reason to eat this amazing carb on a daily basis.
Keep in mind, not all oatmeal is created equal. You want to avoid the flavored varieties and seek out the oatmeal that only has one ingredient, rolled oats. You can jazz up the flavor by adding your own ingredients and discovering your own yummy oatmeal creations. Oatmeal is quick and convenient so it makes for a very realistic carbohydrate option. It is a great breakfast staple but don’t think that you can’t eat it throughout the day, multiple times a day. I love my oatmeal and often eat it 2-3 times a day. You really can’t get sick of oatmeal because there are so many ways to cook it and endless variations that make it different each and every time you eat it. Consider my 8 Simple & Tasty Oatmeal Variations to spice up your oats and keep you on track with your weigh loss or management goals!

Gina’s 8 Simple & Tasty Oatmeal Variations

Simple PB&J Oatmeal 
Ingredients:
-½ cup oatmeal
-1 tbsp natural peanut butter
-1 tbsp your favorite jelly, I prefer sugar free
Directions:
Cook oatmeal and simply add PB&J, mix and enjoy! For thicker, creamier results cook oatmeal over stove top with 2 cups of water. Allow to boil then add PB & J and place on simmer, storing occasionally for about 10-15 minutes. Turn off stove and allow to sit and thicken for a few minutes before enjoying this plentiful and tasty bowl of the best oatmeal ever!

Blueberry Coconut Almond Oatmeal 
Ingredients:
-½ cup oatmeal
-½ tsp coconut Oil
-¼- ½ cup fresh Blueberries
-2 tbsp unsweetened almond slices
-unsweetened coconut flakes
Directions:
Cook oatmeal, add coconut oil and mix well. Top off with blueberries, almond slices and coconut flakes and enjoy!
 
Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal
 Ingredients:
-½ cup oatmeal
-1/4 cup pure pumpkin
-1 tbsp pumpkin pie seasoning
-stevia or natural sweetener of choice
Directions:
Cook oatmeal and pure pumpkin, pumpkin spice and sweetener, mix well and enjoy!

Almond Greek Oatmeal
Ingredients:
-1/4 cup oatmeal
-1/2 cup non-fat Greek yogurt
-1/4 cup mixed berries
-1 tsp almond extract
-1 scoop vanilla protein powder
-1 tbsp chia seeds
-1 tsp cinnamon
-natural sweetener of choice
Directions:
Mix raw oats with all other ingredients, mix well and place in the refrigerator overnight.   In the morning, simply grab and go. Enjoy!!
 
Cocoa Almond Oatmeal
Ingredients:
-1/2 cup oatmeal
-1 scoop chocolate protein powder
-1 cup unsweetened almond milk
-1 tbsp unsweetened Cocoa
-1 tbsp shredded dark chocolate OR crushed up Cocoa Almonds
Directions:
Cook oatmeal with almond milk. Add protein powder and cocoa and mix well. Add shredded dark chocolate over top and enjoy!
 
Tropical Oatmeal
Ingredients:
-1/2 cup oatmeal
-1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
-2 tbsp shredded unsweetened coconut
-1/4 cup mango or pineapple, sliced
-1/2 banana
Directions:
Cook oatmeal with almond milk. Add fruit and top off with shredded coconut and enjoy!

Cinnamon Apple Oats
Ingredients:
-1/2 cup oatmeal
-1 apple, sliced
-1 oz walnuts
-1 tbsp vanilla extract
-1 tsp cinnamon or apple pie spice
Directions:
Cook oatmeal, add vanilla extract and cinnamon. Top off with walnuts and apples and enjoy!
 
Banana Coconut Cream Oatmeal
Ingredients:
-1/2 cup oatmeal
-3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla or coconut milk
-1 scoop banana or vanilla protein powder
-1 tsp cinnamon
-1/2 banana pureed
-1/2 banana, sliced
-2 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut
-no calorie sweetener of your choice
Directions:
Cook oatmeal with almond or coconut milk. Add protein powder, pureed bananas, cinnamon and sweetener and mix well. Add sliced bananas and shredded coconut over top and enjoy!