Would this be a healthy breakfast?

[castleview]

I found this recipe on food network.

Heat 1 cup oatmeal, 2 cups water, cinnamon, salt and 1 chopped apple (skins on) in micorowave for 6-8 minutes. Add 2 tbsps. maple syrup and top with toasted pecans (optional). I added a splash of low fat milk

It tasted delicious but would it be a bad thing if I'm trying to take off about 20 pounds and cut back on sugar? Any thoughts would be welcome!

 

[donac]

If you cut down the maple syrup or use sugar free maple syrup I think it would be a great breakfast. With the chopped apple in there you may not need the maple syrup.

 

[JMD]

Where's the protein?

 

[lovinaz]

I agree, try adding a scoop of vanilla protein powder. Also, the portion size seems a little large, I'd cut all the ingredients in half.

 

[TxRabbit]

I would cook the oatmeal in part water part unsweetened soy milk, add ground flax seeds, change pecans to walnuts, add vanilla extract, add raisins and/or any other dried fruit in addition to the apples, leave out the maple syrup (that's what the vanilla extract is for) and make it creamy with with more soymilk. Soy milk and walnuts are protein, raisins and apples are more fiber and naturally sweet, vanilla for flavor, oats for whole grain goodness and fiber, with no added sweetener. This is an excellent breakfast. It is a fair amount of calories. If your goal is to make your caloric intake breakfast heavy and then have progressively lighter meals throughout the day, then this is a great breakfast. It is a stick to your ribs kind of breakfast.

 

[JMD]

walnuts are protein.

Walnuts are fat.

I'm not sure where the misconception that nuts are a good source of protein came from, but I hear it all the time, especially on this board. Nuts are a source of essential fatty acids, not protein. Although they are healthy, they are very high in calories, so use them sparingly.

 

[TxRabbit]

Walnuts are fat.

I'm not sure where the misconception that nuts are a good source of protein came from, but I hear it all the time, especially on this board. Nuts are a source of essential fatty acids, not protein. Although they are healthy, they are very high in calories, so use them sparingly.

Thank you, JMD, for correcting me. I don't know where my own misunderstanding stemmed , but upon further research...I see, I understand now. I always knew that nuts were a source of fat, high in calories, and something to eat in moderation. But the health benefits of nuts are outstanding, and they should be incorporated into daily caloric intake. I recommended substituting walnuts for pecans, because to quote a random internet source:

Walnuts, in particular, have significantly higher amounts of omega 3 fatty acids as compared to other nuts. More than a decade of scientific evidence shows that incorporating walnuts in a healthy diet reduces the risk of heart disease by improving blood vessel elasticity and plaque accumulation. Walnuts have also been shown to aid in the lowering LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) and the C-Reactive Protein (CRP). CRP was recently recognized as an independent marker and predictor of heart disease.

 

[JMD]

Thank you, JMD, for correcting me.

Sorry, didn't mean to sound rude. I just hear that alot, especially here.

But the health benefits of nuts are outstanding, and they should be incorporated into daily caloric intake.

Agree 100%. Just don't count it towards your protein intake.

 

[QT Pooh]

Walnuts are fat.

I'm not sure where the misconception that nuts are a good source of protein came from, but I hear it all the time, especially on this board. Nuts are a source of essential fatty acids, not protein. Although they are healthy, they are very high in calories, so use them sparingly.

There seem to be some differences of opinion. Many, many articles, such as this from Harvard http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/protein.html claim nuts to be a good source of protein.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I like the recipe in the "altered" version with the no sugar. Also thought the same as was already said about the overall portion size. I'd eat less or split it through the morning.

But it does sound worthy to try.