How To Sweeten Your Oatmeal Without Sugar (2024)

FAQs

How To Sweeten Your Oatmeal Without Sugar? ›

Whip in Thinly Sliced Banana for Creamy Sweetness

This is what Kath Younger, R.D., describes as “the ideal bowl of oatmeal.” “The banana helps make the oatmeal sweeter and creamier without the use of table sugar or cream,” she says. Use a ripe banana and slice it thinly, then whisk it into the oats as they cook.

Whip in Thinly Sliced Banana for Creamy Sweetness

This is what Kath Younger, R.D., describes as “the ideal bowl of oatmeal.” “The banana helps make the oatmeal sweeter and creamier without the use of table sugar or cream,” she says. Use a ripe banana and slice it thinly, then whisk it into the oats as they cook.

Sweeteners: For added sweetness, some people use sweeteners, such as sucralose, stevia, or monk fruit sweetener. Milk: Some people cut back on the serving of oats and replace those carbs with milk, by mixing it with the water during cooking or adding it at the end. This gives the oatmeal a richer flavor.

High-sugar toppings like chocolate, syrup, and dried fruit

As Best points out, "some of the worst ingredients that are mistakenly added to healthy overnight oat recipes include chocolate sauce, sugar, syrup, and dried fruit."

Oats are nutrient-rich, contain antioxidants, and help protect against and manage type 2 diabetes. It's easy to take advantage of the benefits of this good-for-you carb with all the tasty ways to enjoy oatmeal. Just make sure you opt for unsweetened oats so you can control the amount of sweetener you add.

Simple tip #1: Make oatmeal with milk (or a non-dairy alternative) versus water. Not only does oatmeal made with water taste way less delicious, but you're also missing out on the extra protein staying power that milk will add to the breakfast. Water will also make the oats more gummy instead of creamy.

I like to add chopped apples, cinnamon, chopped mixed nuts, and honey. Sometimes frozen berries, banana, and yogurt. I actually really like to have mine with savory toppings. I'll add an egg, some cheese, salt and pepper, you can pretty much add anything you want to oats!

First, start with your base. Nadeau recommends milk instead of water because it adds protein and makes the oatmeal creamier. Next, look to protein. Try Greek yogurt, which has about 13 grams of protein per cup or peanut butter, which also packs in fiber and healthy fats.

How do you make oatmeal not spike blood sugar? ›

Protein or healthy fat: Enjoy oats with a protein or healthy fat such as eggs, nut butter, or Greek yogurt. Adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds can add protein and healthy fat, which can help stabilize your blood sugar.

Used sparingly, honey can be part of a healthy, balanced diet for people living with diabetes. But it's good practice to get into the habit of limiting honey and any added sugar as much as possible. More than focussing on an individual ingredient, think about what you eat for each meal as a whole.

Like any other sweetener, honey needs to be consumed in moderation due to its ability to increase blood sugar levels. If your diabetes is not well managed, it might be best to limit your consumption of honey.

Add-ins make any oatmeal better-tasting—and they can also make it more nutritious. Topping oatmeal with your favorite fruit boosts the fiber. Adding unsalted nuts offers healthy fats and makes your breakfast more filling.