Of all that’s going on just now with this trying to find fitness – exercising, making healthy choices, etc. – my biggest challenge is breakfast. I have never been a breakfast person. When I was a kid, my frustrated mother tried all manner of creative ways to fix eggs, hoping it would coax me to eat. I was a shy kid with a nervous stomach. What can I say?
But everything I’ve read about a healthy lifestyle says breakfast is crucial. My doctor told me, “You’ve got to break that fast each morning.” And, Leanne Davis, nutritionist at the Wellness Center, says the same. I must eat breakfast.
So, I’ve been making myself eat a bowl of Cheerios with skim milk each morning. Maybe add a few blueberries.
For a change the other day, I decided I would try – once more – to take a liking to oatmeal. I know. It’s good for me. But, I’ve run screaming from it since I was a kid. My grandmother would make it and I loved the way it smelled. I’d take a bite, maybe two, then my gag reflex would kick in and I could do no more. It’s a texture thing, I guess.
A friend told me I might be able to tolerate something called steel cut oats. Quaker now sells them. So, I bought a box at Kroger and decided to give them a whirl. When they were done, I put just a tiny bit of skim milk and a little Splenda. I took a bite. True, the texture was different – more nutty, a bit crunchy. I’ll admit the texture was more palatable. But, it tasted like cardboard. Oh, I’m sure I could have jazzed it up with butter and brown sugar, but that defeats my purpose.
I suppose I’m just not meant to be an eater of oatmeal. Anyone have any suggestions as to how to make the steel cut oats more flavorful without adding lots of fat and calories? I’m open to anything. Until then, I’ll keep enjoying my Cheerios each morning.
At Kroger you can go to the bread aisle and get Pepperidge Farms mini bagels. I get the cinnamon swirl bagels – 120 calories each. I am not a breakfast person, but I carry one to work and by the time I get here I can have that and fulfill the purpose.
Other good options: Special K fruit & yogurt or SPecial K Chocolatey Delight. 120 calories for 3/4 cup. And if you’re counting calories this site helps out a lot – caloriecount.about.com
You can also log your exercise activity for the day. However, I’ve been cheating for weeks and have avoided this site. Today I’m back in business!