Monday, January 23, 2012

Oatmeal, the Office Microwave, and Me

It's the epic battle between good and evil.  Will the office microwave stand in between my ability to have a healthy breakfast today?  A poll from my Facebook provided various ideas on how to resolve this issue:
  • Use a bigger bowl brought from home and don't cover it.
  • Pour hot water from the coffee machine over the oats, cover, and allow to steep until ready.
  • Microwave for 4 minutes at 50% power level
  • Make a big crockpot of oatmeal on Sunday night to feed you for the entire week
Oats, via their high fiber content, are known to help remove cholesterol from the digestive system that would otherwise end up in the bloodstream.  It's a healthy breakfast item that is more importantly...CONVENIENT!  These days it is relatively common to find oatmeal in most coffee shops or breakfast places.  Just because you are on the go or traveling for work, it doesn't mean you have to compromise your diet.  I usually keep a container of quick-cooking oats in my office drawer just for those mornings I forget to make breakfast at home.  In addition, after having read many, many, many articles by professional triathletes and marathon runners on their pre-race habits, I can tell you that a bowl of oatmeal is often on that list.  After all, how easy is it to pack an envelope of instant oatmeal for a race that you are traveling out to? 

I always choose plain oatmeal (not the pre-sugared kind) and will fix it up myself.  My favorite toppings include:
  • Fresh blueberries and cinnamon
  • Dried cranberries or raisins (another thing you can easily keep in the office drawer)
  • Granola and a touch of maple syrup (be careful of the high glycemic content of maple syrup)
Go ahead and consider adding oatmeal into your morning routine.  Unlike beans, oatmeal is good for your heart without making you...well, I'll let you finish that little nursery school rhyme. 

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