The benefits of oatmeal are numerous and oatmeal recipes are plentiful. Oatmeal muffins, oatmeal cookies, apple crisp and tofu burgers all use oatmeal.

A couple of days ago, I did an update on our oatmeal recipe, and realized all over again what a fab food oatmeal is, and how we all should eat it everyday!

Cooked oatmeal has 11 grams of protein per 1 cup serving, 19% of the daily iron requirement, 33% daily fiber, 19% daily carbs, a pinch of omega 3, and no cholesterol.

Oatmeal is a good source of the essential mineral Phosphorus (stored in the bones at normally a 1:2 ratio to calcium) and trace minerals Selenium (works with Vit. E to support antioxidant enzymes, supports cardiovascular health, thyroid and nervous system), and Manganese (critical to metabolism of bones, essential for enzyme reactions, and healthy brain, thyroid, & nervous systems).  More about essential minerals

Oatmeal is higher in fat than most grains, supplying 8% of the daily fat requirement. Yes, we do need those good fats!

When you enhance your oatmeal with goodies like ground flaxseed or chia seed, dried fruit, nuts, sunflower or pumpkin seeds, and non-dairy milk – it’s easy to see that the nutritional benefits of eating oatmeal for breakfast are mind-boggling! A person could almost live on oatmeal! (sadly, oatmeal has nothing green or orange)

If you or your kids still balk at eating oatmeal, in spite of the many benefits, don’t despair! Rolled oats or quick oats are wonderful in oatmeal date nut muffins, or oatmeal coconut chocolate chip cookies.

Oatmeal is an important ingredient in granola, and in toppings for rhubarb crisp or apple crisp.

You can also use oatmeal as a binder in tofu burgers and black bean veggie burgers.

The freshest and cheapest way to buy oatmeal is in bulk. (Buy organic if possible.) Most natural food stores have bulk sections, and many food chains do too. And they all stock oatmeal, because it’s the REAL Breakfast of Champions!