I quoted your words because I hate when I respond I can’t well see the comment I’m responding to!
I think the average health consumer jumps on a lot of eating bandwagons - and soon (in the scheme of things) falls off. Because it becomes such a job to read labels, find appropriate products in the store, learn new recipes, convince the family to eat the same - or have to prepare two different meals, etc. and so on!
Definitely YES, for many people health habits may be dictated by stage of life. And it sometimes becomes necessary to adjust eating habits.
And if the science of nutrition is what you are interested - and I do believe that is the case for you from what you’ve shared - that knowledge might really help. But sharing for instance what I’ve seen here on CC for the last umpteen years, for SO many the goal is lose weight or inches - a real focus on the NUMBERS (on a scale).
So my comment is sort of “for the general population”- even the “general over 50 population” - longevity of being at a healthy weight and state of mind is better served by eating fresh non-processed foods, being aware of portion size, move your body and do healthy things for your mind.
I personally have not experienced being bored with food - because I limit little. That doesn’t work for everyone, I understand.
If we have any nutrition newbies here, the “Eat This, Not That” books are interesting. I have a 2008 copy on my give-away pile. (Even though old, still helpful. I’d be happy to send it to first requester … media mail is cheap. )
IF you are going to be eating processed foods (I certainly do), then it’s fun, visual way to find things on the Left/better page that you like as well as the Right page. Example photo is of Cereals page. Unsurprisingly I see my favorite breakfast food, Fiber One (original) cereal is on the left page.
On the right page is Cracklin Oat bran, which I bought a lot of when the kids were home. I actually still buy it now and then, just eat as smaller portions for a cookie-like snack (with or without milk). I do have cookies sometimes too, but fewer than in my younger years.
So interesting to see this. I showed H the label on the box of Quaker Oatmeal (regular) and how the entire ingredient list is : rolled oats. I measure it out, add water and microwave for 2 minutes. I then showed him the Quaker “instant” packets and the longer list of ingredients and the junk. How much more “instant” can you be than 2 minutes?
He was not convinced…
Thanks for the tip of making regular oatmeal in the microwave. Sometimes I can get hubby to have oatmeal instead of this other less healthy breakfast options, but we’ve only cooked it stovetop (big batch, leftovers in fridge to be reheated another day).
How about cold oats? I actually had leftover hot oatmeal from yesterday and then put them in fridge. I had the cold oats this AM for a snack. Added some milk and blueberries.
Mr. Sabaray loves cracklin oat bran. He sees “oat bran” and thinks healthy. I like the Kashi cinnamon harvest cereal.
I think oatmeal can be a good base for some really good bowls. Quinoa as well - I use that cold at breakfast pretty frequently. I found higher protein lavash at Costco so have been making wraps with hummus, veggies and cold quinoa. It sounds strange but it’s very filling.
My wife will often make refrigerator oatmeal. It’s a half cup of old fashioned oats (not minute oats), milk, plain yogurt, honey, chia seeds and various fruits. I can’t tell you the proportions. She changes up what she puts in it. Sometimes she’ll add nut of varying kinds. She makes it the night before and by morning it’s perfect.
we do the same. Overnight oats! 1/2 cup of oats, 2 tbsp nut butter of choice, handful of dried fruit and 1 cup of liquid. Stir it around and it’s perfect the next morning.
Another oatmeal option is baked oatmeal. It usually does have a sweet component (like maple syrup) but also good things like oatmeal, nuts, seeds, etc.
This website has lots of varieties, here are a couple:
She often tops with PB or whole milk yogurt - or both. You can bake it and eat it all week or it freezes well too. Make a couple varieties and then you can pull out a square of a variety when you want it.
Steel cut oats cooked in either a rice cooker (which is what I do) or in an instant pot (which I don’t have.) Divide into breakfast size containers, as the oats are good for up to a week. Pull out a container and microwave for about a minute; add milk and toppings. You’re good to go.
Here’s the IP recipe (and you can find multiple rice cooker recipes on line): Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
The new study, which was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that overweight and obese people who increased their fat intake and lowered the amount of refined carbohydrates in their diet — while still eating fiber-rich foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans and lentils — had greater improvements in their cardiovascular disease risk factors than those who followed a similar diet that was lower in fat and higher in carbs. Even people who replaced “healthy” whole grain carbs like brown rice and whole wheat bread with foods higher in fat showed striking improvements in a variety of metabolic disease risk factors.
The study suggests that eating fewer processed carbs while eating more fat can be good for your heart health, said Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist and dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, who was not involved with the research. “I think this is an important study,” he said. “Most Americans still believe that low-fat foods are healthier for them, and this trial shows that at least for these outcomes, the high-fat, low-carb group did better.”
I was happy to see this - mainly because I actively dislike “low fat” anything!
