Oatmeal is one of my all-time year-round favorite breakfasts, as it is so incredibly versatile!  Think of oats as a ‘blank slate’ and add whatever flavors you have available to you in your kitchen.  Having oatmeal for breakfast allows you to get a serving in of whole grains, as well as potentially servings of fruits and/or veggies, depending on your choice of toppings and mix-ins.  Oatmeal is also quite filling, and I find a nice warm bowl gives me lasting energy throughout all of my morning activities!

1. Go for the texture. Add homemade granola, chopped almonds, or your favorite crushed, whole-grain cereal on top for a texture switch-up.
2. Explore add-ins! Some of my faves include canned pumpkin, butternut squash puree, mashed bananas, or even a little bit of applesauce!
3. Dessert Oatmeal. Every once in a while, it can be a fun treat to top your morning oatmeal with a drizzle of honey, a sprinkle of chocolate chips,  butterscotch chips, sweetened coconut, or sweetened dried cranberries!  Be careful of going overboard though – choose just one option!
4. Chock-full of protein. Stir in cottage cheese or liquid egg whites while your oats are cooking (closer to the end stages) to get an extra dose of satiating protein!
5. Natural fruit flavors. Instead of buying packaged oats that are flavored, make your own by adding fresh fruit like chopped kiwi & cantaloupe melon, or apples & pears!
6. Switch up the bowl. Sometimes it’s fun to try eating your morning oats in a different “bowl” -> try half of a melon like cantaloupe or honeydew, or eat your oats from an almost-empty jar of nut butter to get that extra flavor.
7. Go savoury! Make oatmeal as per usual, but add savory spices like oregano, basil, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.  Stir in a little cheddar cheese, and then top with sauteed peppers & onions, corn, black beans, salsa, and avocado!
8. Boost of healthy fats. Add almonds or almond butter to your oats for a healthy dose of good-for-you fats, or any other nut butter of your choice!  Try to choose ones without added sugar.
9. Try steel-cut oats. For a texture change, try these – they’re chewier and have a slightly nutty flavor to them.  Steel-cut oats take longer to cook than old-fashioned oats, so try them out on the weekend when you have more time to cook breakfast.
10. Overnight oats. Essentially making homemade muesli, mix in raw oats with Greek yogurt (protein-packed!) and other add-ins, then let sit in the fridge overnight.  In the morning you’ll have a cold version of oatmeal that’s rich & creamy taste will have you thinking it was dessert instead of breakfast!

Assistance provided by Megan Skinner