Test bench: fruit groats

DAY

Oatmeal is back in full swing. If it was once considered to have little taste, it is now one of the most popular for breakfast. It is enjoyed hot or cold (in oatmeal the next day). Several young companies have revisited the image of oatmeal to make it more trendy than ever. This week, fruit oatmeal is under my scrutiny. 

Our analysis 

Twenty choices of instant fruit oatmeal have been the subject of our analysis. 

Each serving of 29 to 50 g (1 sachet or 1 serving suggested) provides:

• Between 110 and 194 calories
• Between 1.5 and 6 g of fat including between 0.2 and 2.5 g of saturated fat
• Between 21 and 36 g of carbohydrates
• Between 2 and 7 g of fibre
• Between 4 and 14 g of sugars
• Between 3 and 6 g of protein
• Between 0 and 190 mg of sodium

THE BEST CHOICES

< p>Oatbox Cocoa & Raspberry Fridge Oatmealprovides 0.5 g of saturated fat, 6 g of fibre, 5 g of sugars and 6 g of protein per 40 g serving, which ranks it among the fruit oats with the lowest saturated fat and sugar content and the highest rich in fiber and protein from the test bench. Moreover, it is an organic product and the list of ingredients is short and simple. Oatbox's other fruit oats are also good choices.

Yumi's apple-cinnamon flavored fridge oatmealis also among the fruit porridges lowest in saturated fat and sugars and highest in fiber and protein of all products tested. A 50 g sachet contains 0.6 g of saturated fat, 6 g of sugars, 5 g of fiber and 6 g of protein. Plus, this oatmeal is organic and has a clean ingredient list. Yumi's other fruit oats are also good options.

Quaker's Lightly Sweetened Apple Cinnamon Instant Oatmealis among the least sugary (4g) and lowest in saturated fat (0.3g) options. Plus, the ingredient list is short and simple. However, a 29g pouch provides less fiber (3g) and protein (3g) than the average fruit porridge in the test. The smaller size explains the differences.

THE COMPROMISES

One 40g serving of Instant Blueberry, Chia & Coconut Oatmeal of Naturalia Wellnesscontains less protein (4 g) and more saturated fat (1.5 g) than the average fruit porridge tested. However, this oatmeal has a clean ingredient list and contains less sugar (7 g) and more fiber (5 g) than the average product, which makes it a good compromise. 

Gruo's Quick Strawberry Apple Oatmealis higher in saturated fat (2 g) than the average of the products evaluated due to the presence of coconut among the ingredients. However, a 48g pouch provides 7g of fiber and 5g of protein, making it one of the highest fiber and protein-rich oats on the test bench. This oatmeal is also among the least sweet (6 g), but the ingredient list does contain erythritol, a sweetener. Gruo's other fruit oats have similar characteristics.

Quaker Instant High Protein Apple Cinnamon Oatmealis among the highest in protein (6 g) in the test bench thanks to the presence of whey protein among the ingredients. However, a 38 g sachet provides 9 g of sugars and only 3 g of fiber, which is less good nutritional value than the average fruit oatmeal evaluated. 

THE LEAST GOOD CHOICES

Quaker's Instant Peach & Cream Oatmeal is among the lowest in fiber and protein and highest in sugars on the test bed . A 33g sachet provides only 2g of fiber and 3g of protein, but 9g of sugars. In addition, the ingredient list contains sulfites, artificial flavor, color, palm oil and additives. 

Selection instant oatmeal, assorted flavors, apple and cinnamon flavor is among the highest in sugars and the lowest in fiber and protein. A 33 g sachet contains 12 g of sugars, 2 g of fiber and 3 g of protein. The ingredient list also contains artificial flavor and some additives. 

President's Choice Instant Oatmeal, Variety Pack, Apple Cinnamon Flavor provides only 3 g of fiber and 3 g of protein, but 9 g of sugar per 33 g sachet, which is less advantageous in terms of nutrition compared to the average product. Additionally, the ingredient list contains sulfites, artificial flavor, additives, and stevia extract, a sweetener. 

►Check out my buttery oatmeal recipe peanuts, nuts and berries: isabellehuot.com/blogs/recipes-and-advice/oatmeal-butter-peanuts-nuts-berries