This breakfast recipe isn't the sugar-loaded, instant oatmeal that comes in the different artificially flavored packs. This recipe combines the goodness of whole grain oatmeal with fruit and protein to help ensure you start your morning right minus the sugar crash later. The best part is after you prepare this breakfast recipe, you can refrigerate the leftovers overnight and enjoy it cold or warm the next morning -- perfect for athletes who are on the go!

Banana-Nut Oatmeal Raisin Breakfast

Ingredients
3 cups water
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cups regular rolled oats
1 Banana sliced
1/4 cup raisins
2 tablespoons sliced almonds
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 2/3 cups skim milk

Directions
1. Combine first 3 ingredients (water – salt) and bring to boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in oats.
2. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Let stand, covered, until oatmeal reaches desired consistency.
4. Divide oatmeal among 4 bowls and top each bowl with banana, raisins, almonds, and brown sugar.
5. Divide milk among bowls.

Serves: 4

Banana-Nut & Raisin Oatmeal Breakfast Nutrition Facts
Calories: 239
Carbohydrate: 43.6g
Protein: 10.3g
Fat: 3.5g

To Complete Your Meal
For a well-rounded breakfast serve Banana-Nut & Oatmeal Raisin Breakfast with 2 slices turkey bacon and 8 ounces skim milk. This meal combination will give you the following nutritional values: 356 Calories, 23.9g Protein, 53.8g Carbohydrate, 4.7g Fat

Healthy Ingredient Facts

• Oatmeal is made with whole grain oats making them a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber.
• Insoluble fiber's cancer-fighting properties are due to the fact that it attacks certain bile acids, reducing their toxicity.
• Soluble fiber may reduce LDL cholesterol without lowering HDL cholesterol. LDL is bad; HDL is bad.
• Soluble fiber slows down the digestion of starch. This is beneficial because it allows you to avoid share rises in your blood sugar level, preventing energy crashes and allowing for better appetite control.
• The phytochemical in oat are also shown to have cancer-fighting properties.
• Oats are a good source of many nutrients including Vitamin E, zinc, selenium, copper, iron, manganese and magnesium. Oats are also a good source of protein.

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