Oatmeal contains many essential vitamins, minerals, and fibers and is a popular and healthy breakfast for many people. Although oats have a higher amount of protein than other grains, it is often appealing to up the protein count of oats even more (through healthy ways, of course). A protein-enriched oatmeal can leave you satisfied and happy for almost your whole day, and it is very much worth it to add in healthy, nutritious foods to it. Here are 7 unique ways you can spice up your oatmeal to complement your protein needs.
1) Sprinkle or mix in any kind of protein powder.
The easiest and most reliable way to add protein to your oatmeal is to blend it with any kind of protein powder you wish. It can often be a time-saver to make oatmeal this way, since it is simple to make and is great first thing in the morning to give you that energetic boost. Flavored protein powders such as strawberry and chocolate work wonders in making your oatmeal taste great.
You can combine it with milk (see below) for even more protein. Doing it this way will make your oatmeal contain around 45g of protein-which can be a perfect breakfast for any bodybuilding diet.
2) Mix Greek yogurt in with the oatmeal or have it as a side.
Contrary to popular belief, yogurt does not make oatmeal taste worse, as long as you use non-sugar, plain-tasting Greek yogurts. Greek yogurt is high in protein, calcium, vitamins, and probiotics that aid in digestion. This is a great idea if you can’t stand the boring taste of plain yogurt. It tends to taste best if you combine full-fat yogurt with a bit of water and let your oatmeal sit in the fridge overnight. Be sure to mix it well!
3) Combine your oatmeal with nut butters such as peanut and almond butter.
Nut butters can add creaminess, healthy fats, and plenty of protein to your oatmeal. The nut butters are surprisingly easy to mix in and can be topped with powders for extra flavor.
Peanut butter is the cheapest and most reliable option to add in some extra protein.
Almond butter is incredibly nutritious and is effective at lowering cholesterol.
Cashew butter is known for being rich in taste and still provides many healthy vitamins and minerals.
My favorite combo is to combine peanut butter and hazelnut butter for a chocolate dessert taste. Making it taste like Nutella makes it more motivating to eat this delicious snack in the morning.
4) Microwave or refrigerate your oats with milk instead of water.
One cup of milk (most kinds of milk) sports around 8g of protein, which makes it a suitable replacement for water in your oatmeal. I find that oats and milk work best when refrigerated overnight, but it can be microwaved for 90 seconds and still taste great.
If you are keto-conscious or vegan, coconut milk is a good option as well. It contains 5g of protein per cup and has a similar consistency to water. Almond milk is also a decent alternative, but most types contain more sugar and/or less protein. If you plan to use almond milk, use a protein-enriched brand.
5) Buy an oatmeal brand that has additional fortified proteins.
Simply put, some brands of oats are intentionally created to have more protein than normal. There are many reputable brands that offer high-quality oats that are fortified with protein.
Products like Kodiak Cakes Protein Oats and Quaker’s Instant Oatmeal can give your oatmeal a boost in protein without the need for any additional add-ins. This can be a great idea if you are busy and do not have time to blend your oats. Navigating the grocery store shelves and deciding which oats are best can be time-consuming, so this article on the five best protein oatmeal brands may be a lifesaver for you.
6) Sprinkle or mix in nutritious, protein-dense seeds.
Flax, chia, pumpkin, hemp, and sunflower seeds are all unique in their own ways. The one thing they do share is their protein count, which they have an abundance of. They are small and easy to mix in with your oats. Additionally, they are all rich in fiber and are great at fighting diabetes and cancers.
Flax seeds are tiny, and they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and many vitamins and minerals.
Chia seeds are the tiniest seeds and do not alter the taste of oatmeal very much at all. They contain an antioxidant known as quercetin, which reduces your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease.
Pumpkin seeds contain plenty of magnesium, zinc, and omega-3s, which are great at keeping your skin and immune system strong. They also taste great, especially when salted.
Hemp seeds possess the most protein, so if you want as much protein as possible, go with this seed. It also contains plenty of fiber, potassium, and iron.
Sunflower seeds contain copper, vitamin E, and folate, so it is great at improving and maintaining your circulatory system. They are easiest to mix in when you buy them shelled.
7) Sprinkle in cacao nibs.
Cacao nibs are quite a sleeper in the world of plant-based nutritious food options. They taste great, mix well in oatmeal, and have a whopping 4g of protein per ounce. Keep in mind, though that cacao nibs are quite expensive-an 8 oz bag can cost upwards of as much as ten dollars. If you can afford it, however, there is simply no better option on this list to boost your protein intake and heart health.
