“Mac and Cheese” Oatmeal

I’ve heard feedback from all angles- this mac and cheese oatmeal recipe sounds SO interesting vs. I ONLY eat my oatmeal with sweet ingredients! But keep an open mind. Your new favorite recipe idea awaits!

Oats Are Versatile at Any Meal

In recipes, oats take on the flavor of the other ingredients. So that’s why oats make not only a great sweet breakfast entree but also a savory side dish or main entree. Just as many people eat rice as part of a savory meal but also make it into sweet rice pudding, you can make oats go sweet or savory.

Oats Nutrition

Oats are a healthy whole grain, naturally gluten free, and contain around 5 grams fiber and 6 grams protein per serving. In addition, they are excellent sources of B vitamins, iron and other minerals. Since they are high in soluble fiber,, they help make bowel movements nice & comfortable. And a lot of that fiber is beta-glucan, a fiber well known for helping boost the immune system, improve cholesterol, and balance blood sugar.

Mac and Cheese Gets a Healthy Makeover

Most mac and cheese recipes are made with refined wheat pasta and very little fiber. A homemade traditional version at least can be made with real cheese & milk. But let’s be honest, most of us still turn to that box of Kraft Mac n’ Cheese or Kraft Singles for a quick go-to comfort meal. In addition, boxed mac & cheese is really cheap.

On the other hand, this Healthy “Mac and Cheese” Oatmeal recipe meets your needs:

• Desire for that classic Mac & Cheese taste
• Ready in literally 2 minutes
• Healthier eating (more fiber, vitamins & minerals)
• Super cheap: a 42oz (30 servings!) canister of oats costs usually around just $2 at most stores. That’s just $0.07 per serving!

Does Oatmeal Spike Blood Sugar?

Oats are a carb and since all carbs get broken down into sugar, eating oats and oatmeal can raise your blood sugar. However, oats are a pretty good option as far as high carb foods go. Oats naturally contain fiber (about 5g per serving) and some protein (also about 5g per serving). That fiber and protein in oats helps a bit to lower the spike in blood sugar when eating oats, but your blood sugar still might rise too much.

How to prepare oatmeal to balance blood sugar

Adding in additional protein, fat, and fiber to your oatmeal can slow down the rise in blood sugar, preventing a spike and all of the unhealthy outcomes that happen when blood sugar spikes. These unhealthy outcomes of a blood sugar spike include:

• Weight gain (blood sugar spikes –> spikes insulin –> promotes fat storage and blocks fat burn)
• Cravings (blood sugar spikes –> spikes insulin –> blood sugar crash and cravings for sugary/carb foods)
• Low energy (blood sugar crashes lead to low energy)
• Irritability (another nasty side effect of blood sugar crashes)
• Inflammation (blood sugar spikes set off a cascade of inflammatory processes)

Other Creative Savory Mac and Cheese Oatmeal Ideas

• Ranch Oatmeal: add garlic & onion powder and fresh dill
• Add crumbled bacon, avocado, & sunny side up egg⁣⁣ for a full, hearty meal
• Add mushrooms & peas & use swiss cheese
• Broccoli & cheddar
• Pumpkin, paprika & cumin
• Beans & salsa
• Toss in stir-fried chicken veggies for a twist a healthy twist on Chinese takeout
• Add in this ground beef skillet mixture

Seems like endless possibilities, right? Just think of your favorite pasta dish and try to swap oats for the pasta!

Finally, try out this recipe for yourself and send me your feedback!

Move over maple & brown sugar oatmeal. There’s a new pantry staple recipe in town.

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