Smoothy Slim
Photo by Marcos Baistrocchi Pexels Logo Photo: Marcos Baistrocchi

Why do you add water to oatmeal?

The key to getting a creamy, not-gluey bowl of oatmeal is using enough water. Notice we said water—cooking oatmeal in milk tends to make a stickier, thicker oatmeal. Follow the directions on the canister using H2O, then add a splash of milk or almond milk in the bowl.

Why do Chinese have good skin?
Why do Chinese have good skin?

Chinese women rely a lot on natural ingredients like herbs and roots to take care of their skin. These are very much safe for the skin and give...

Read More »
How to lose 10 pounds in 30 days?
How to lose 10 pounds in 30 days?

How to Lose 10 Pounds in a Month: 14 Simple Steps Try cardio for weight loss. ... Eat fewer refined carbs. ... Start counting calories. ... Choose...

Read More »
7-second natural hack eats through 64lbs of belly flab
7-second natural hack eats through 64lbs of belly flab

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Oatmeal is the classic "healthy" breakfast—but chances are, you've had a disappointing bowl of it at some point in your life. Perhaps you've pondered if there was more to morning life than this sad, gray, gluey bowl of semi-warm oats while dreaming of a hot, gooey egg and cheese sandwich. Or wished it was just a little hotter, a little creamier, a little more fun. Guess what? Oatmeal doesn't have to be this way. We talked to the BA Test Kitchen about the mistakes people are making when they make this hot breakfast cereal—and if you avoid them, you might even pass up that egg sandwich for a fragrant, steamy bowl of the healthy stuff.

1. Milk=Creamy Goodness

The key to getting a creamy, not-gluey bowl of oatmeal is using enough water. Notice we said water—cooking oatmeal in milk tends to make a stickier, thicker oatmeal. Follow the directions on the canister using H2O, then add a splash of milk or almond milk in the bowl.

2. Let It Rip

After your water reaches a boil, add your oats and bring it down to a simmer over low or medium-low heat. You want it to bubble a little bit, but if you cook it over too high a heat, the bottom will burn. Which will be a dishwashing NIGHTMARE. Avoid.

3. Eat It As-Is

What's oatmeal without a little spice? Boring and sad, that's what. After you bring your water to a boil, add some spices into the mix along with the oatmeal. Just make sure they're ground—things like cloves and cinnamon sticks will be hard to pick out of the creamy cereal. If you need inspiration, we have plenty of ideas. You get even more texture from overnight oats, and we've got 4 recipes for delicious sweet and savory options here. Alex Lau

4. Skip the Salt

Yes, even your breakfast needs seasoning. Put a pinch of salt in the water along with your spices.

5. No Matter How You Cook It, It's All the Same

When you add your oats to the water determines the consistency of your oatmeal. If you bring your water to a boil and then add your oats, you'll have a more textured, toothsome oatmeal. If you add your oatmeal to cold water and then bring them up to a boil together, the oatmeal will be a little more creamy.

6. Keep It One Texture

We're not sure about you, but a bowl of oatmeal without add-ins is a little...dull. Think of it as a blank canvas for flavors. Throw in dried or fresh fruit, toasted nuts, or compotes to keep things interesting. You can even swirl in a little chocolate or peanut butter if you wanna get real crazy. Whoa!

7. A Bowl Is a Bowl Is a Bowl

Have you ever had cold oatmeal? It might be the least pleasant thing to eat on the face of this earth. And if you put your oatmeal in a shallow bowl, it'll congeal before you've finished. Eat your cereal out of a deep bowl—or even a mug—to avoid eating breakfast that's the texture of wallpaper paste.

8. Forget About the Pot

Remember when we said that burning your oatmeal would be a dishwashing nightmare? Yeah, so is leaving residual oatmeal in your pot. The stuff is like concrete, and you'll need the strength of Hercules if you don't have a good, abrasive scrubber. Throw some dish soap and hot water into the pot immediately after you've plated your oatmeal. Trust.

Is Ocean Spray Cranberry juice acidic?
Is Ocean Spray Cranberry juice acidic?

Cranberry juice typically features a pH of between 2.3 and 2.5, making it a fairly acidic beverage.

Read More »
What eats belly fat fast?
What eats belly fat fast?

Best Foods For Weight Loss: Pumpkin. Pumpkin makes it onto this list of the 32 foods that burn belly fat fast due to its high amounts of fiber and...

Read More »
Traditional “juice” activates 24/7 fat-burning
Traditional “juice” activates 24/7 fat-burning

A potent powdered supplement blended right into water or your favored beverage to be appreciated as a scrumptious morning smoothy.

Learn More »

What's healthier instant oatmeal or Cheerios?

A bowl of Cheerios has more fiber (4 grams) than a packet of instant oatmeal (3 g), though both are made of whole oats. Just like oatmeal, whole-oat cold cereals whittle down your LDL cholesterol because they contain beta-glucans--soluble dietary fiber that traps cholesterol-laden bile in your intestines.

Drew, Topeka, KS asked:

What's the best oatmeal substitute?

Answer:

Classic Cheerios. You're looking for fiber and the cholesterol-reducing benefit of oats, right? A bowl of Cheerios has more fiber (4 grams) than a packet of instant oatmeal (3 g), though both are made of whole oats. Just like oatmeal, whole-oat cold cereals whittle down your LDL cholesterol because they contain beta-glucans--soluble dietary fiber that traps cholesterol-laden bile in your intestines. But don't take in a bunch of pointless calories. Stick to original Cheerios, which have just 1 g sugar per serving. "Limit your sugar intake at breakfast to no more than 16 g, but preferably 10 g or less," says Mary Ellen Camire, Ph.D., a professor of food science and human nutrition at the University of Maine. Two guy-size teaspoons of sugar is pushing 10 g. Go to wholegrainscouncil.org for a list of products containing lots of oats.

What fruit is a natural antihistamine?
What fruit is a natural antihistamine?

Citrus Fruits – Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an antioxidant that prevents oxidative stress in the body and is also a natural antihistamine....

Read More »
What are signs of low vitamin D?
What are signs of low vitamin D?

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency may include: Fatigue. Not sleeping well. Bone pain or achiness. Depression or feelings of sadness. Hair loss....

Read More »
Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab
Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »
Why do people get sick from sprouts?
Why do people get sick from sprouts?

Why Are Sprouts Dangerous? Sprouts grow best in warm, humid conditions, which can also lead to the growth of germs; when they are eaten raw (as...

Read More »
Purple weed obliterates 72lbs of flab
Purple weed obliterates 72lbs of flab

The main ingredient for a potent powdered supplement, based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »
Which fruit helps clean liver?
Which fruit helps clean liver?

Lemons, orange , grapefruit , amla which has high vitamin C and antioxidants, citrus fruits like grapefruits, oranges, limes and lemons support the...

Read More »