Charlie’s Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a fabulous way to start the day, but packaged varieties contain SO much added sugar. Skip the store-bought! This recipe is my son Charlie’s all-time favourite and has the perfect apple cinnamon sweetness.

Weekdays are nuts.  Like really nuts.  Anybody agree?  Getting two kids out the door feels like pure mayhem most days!  I’m UH-MAZED at you moms who all pull it off (especially for those of you with more than two kids), mommyhood isn’t for the weak! Now, let’s talk breakfast.

Charlie is one of those kids who can’t sit still, and meal times are no exception.  If I had a nickel for every time that I asked him to sit down and take a bite… Knowing how challenging it is to get kids to eat, especially in the morning, makes it that much more important to find healthy breakfast foods that they LOVE!

Healthy Breakfast for Kids

Scrambled eggs with toast and some fruit is a common staple around our house, and this apple cinnamon oatmeal is his absolute favourite (he actually names it as his favourite food)!  I’ve even packed it for his lunch in a Thermos container on days when he doesn’t eat it for breakfast and wants something other than a sandwich for lunch.

I make a big batch and warm up individual portions for a few days, which saves my sanity. Be warned, it does solidify when cooled.  My kids are totally ok with it, we just heat it up in the microwave or on the stove in a small pot with a bit of extra water and sprinkle a tiny bit of brown sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup on it and top it with whole milk.   Done like ….breakfast!

Oatmeal is one of the best breakfast foods, but be aware of the pre-packaged varieties that contain added sugar (read the labels – click here for how to read a food label ^[1]).  Just to give you some context, every 4 grams of sugar that you see on the label equals 1 teaspoon. Oats are also gluten-free for those who don’t tolerate it, you just have to be sure to buy the oats that are marked gluten-free as they may otherwise be contaminated with gluten in the processing.

Oatmeal Health Benefits

Loaded with soluble fibre to keep you feeling full and satisfied (oatmeal is sometimes referred to as a ‘slow carbohydrate’ as it doesn’t make your blood sugar spike), this oatmeal is also a great source of many vitamins and minerals including iron, magnesium and potassium and contains more protein than some other grains. I like using MacIntosh or Spartan apples best as they cook down nicely, but you can use any type of apple that you like.

Charlie’s Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal