Trader Joe’s® Steelcut Oatmeal

Review by Nancy Collins, PhD, RDN, LD, NWCC, FAND

My promise: I only recommend products I have tried personally and would use for myself or my family members. All medicine is evidence-based. All corporate relationships are fully disclosed.

Those who know me well know I am a night owl. I fully admit it—my struggle with the morning is real. So, I need an easy breakfast because I am not one to start cooking with lots of pots and pans. Trader Joe’s® Steelcut Oatmeal is something I eat almost every day. It comes frozen with two portions per box. Each serving is individually wrapped and looks quite similar to a hockey puck. All I have to do is unwrap it, put in a bowl, and pop it in the microwave. I microwave it for 1 minute, 45 seconds, then stir it up. Then I microwave it for another 90 seconds.

I add different things to it, depending on how I feel. Most days I add a diced apple and a scoop of probiotic fiber. Patients with wounds can add a scoop of protein powder because one serving of this oatmeal only has 5 grams (g) of protein. You can bump this up to about 15-20 g, depending on the particular protein supplement that you use. Sometimes if I want additional protein, I eat my oatmeal and a hard-boiled egg.

It is important for patients with wounds to eat protein at every meal. This oatmeal is not only convenient, it tastes great. Many people complain about the texture of oatmeal, but this oatmeal is not mushy and squishy. It has a nice substantial bite to it. The ingredient list is pretty simple—water, steel cut oats, brown sugar, maple syrup, rolled oats, and salt. There is nothing you cannot pronounce. Find a Trader Joe’s® store near you by visiting www.traderjoes.com. Disclosure: I have nothing to disclose for this oatmeal.