Instant Oatmeal Just Got Better with This Cranberries and Pecans Recipe

Everyone knows that oatmeal is healthy. Oats are rich in fiber, which increases satiety, aids in lowering cholesterol, prevents constipation and diverticulosis, boosts the immune system, and even helps to maintain a healthy range of blood sugar levels. However, this is mostly applicable for the rolled oats out there and not the instant ones. Well, this depends on the instant oats you get and how you prepare them.

Instant Oats Can Be Healthy and Fun

When craving a quick and healthy breakfast, oatmeal is a perfect choice. There are some debates if instant ones come with the same health benefits and the truth it’s — it depends on the package.

Yes, rolled oats or steel-cut oats, which are minimally processed, contain more fiber than the quick oats, but they take longer to cook, and nobody has time for that.

Making an Instant Oatmeal for Breakfast

The middle ground here is going for the instant oatmeal without getting the artificially flavored store-bought packages. Here’s how to make the most delicious, freshest in flavor, still healthy, and most importantly, super-easy to make oatmeal.

Ingredients

• 1/4 c. quick oats
• 1 tbsp. dried cranberries
• 1 tbsp. chopped toasted pecans
• 1/2 tsp. brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Grated orange zest
• Kosher salt

Making the Cranberries and Pecans Oatmeal

1. In a bowl, place the instant oatmeal, dried cranberries and chopped toasted pecans, brown sugar, and a pinch of each: ground cinnamon, grated orange zest, and salt.
2. Add ½ to ¾ cup of boiling water and let sit for a minute.
3. Stir, eat, and enjoy!

For those of you watching their diet, here’s the nutritional information per serving:

• About 180 calories
• 8g fat (1g saturated)
• 3g protein
• 115 mg sodium
• 28g carbohydrate
• 4g fiber

Please note that these may vary slightly depending on the exact ingredients and their manufacturers. The best tithing about this oatmeal recipe is that it’s easily adjustable, and everyone should customize it to their liking.