Seven Healthy Oatmeal Brands You Should be Eating

We've been told for years that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and for good reason. Our bodies have been in an overnight fasting period and breakfast – literally breaking fast – is the first meal we get to replenish and refuel. Breakfast has been known to have many health benefits, from boosting metabolisms and replenishing glucose which can boost energy levels to aiding with weight loss and possible reductions in the risk of type 2 diabetes. But what you eat is just as important as when you eat. To stay on a healthy track, these are seven healthy oatmeal brands you should be eating.

Although oatmeal is a healthy breakfast, some brands aren't as healthy as they seem. Many popular brands have high amounts of added sugar, sodium, and preservatives. If you buy instant oatmeal, pay attention to the ingredient list. Many healthy alternatives provide the benefits of oatmeal without the added sugar and other unnecessary ingredients. With these alternatives, you can easily make a healthy breakfast in a few minutes. (Check out 13 foods that seem healthy but really aren't.)

After reviewing sources such as Today, Livestrong, the Huffington Post, and Healthline, we determined the seven healthy oatmeal brands you should be eating. We also reviewed Reddit and several articles that included guidance from registered dieticians. The seven healthiest brands of oatmeal are listed below in no particular order.

• Comes in Blueberry Walnut, Vanilla Pecan, Dark Chocolate Chunk, Apple Cinnamon Pecan, Banana Nut, and Mixed Berry
• Every flavor is made with organic oats and superfood ingredients

Purely Elizabeth is a well-known brand started in 2009 by a certified holistic nutrition counselor. This brand is often known for its healthy and tasty granola, but it also sells different varieties of oatmeal. All of their oatmeal flavors are made with organic, superfood ingredients without any artificial additives.

• Comes in Maple & Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, Blueberries & Cream, Chocolate Chip, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
• Made with whole-grain oats and contains added protein for a filling and high-protein breakfast

Kodiak is known for high-protein baking mixes, such as pancake and waffle mix and chocolate fudge brownie mix. Oatmeal is already a good source of protein, but if you're looking for an extra boost in the morning, Kodiak oatmeal is a good choice. One of their oatmeal power cups has 14 grams of protein and is made with 100% whole-grain oats.

• Comes in Apple Cinnamon, Blueberry, Coffee, Dark Chocolate, Maple Cinnamon, PB&J, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Chocolate, Strawberry, and Vanilla Bean
• Made with clean and plant-based ingredients

Mush makes a unique brand because its oatmeal is ready-to-eat overnight oats. Compared to other brands, Mush provides the most convenience since all you have to do is grab it and go. Additionally, each flavor is made with clean ingredients and without any artificial flavors. Mush oatmeal is dairy-free, making it perfect even for those on plant-based diets.

• Comes in Classic, Brown Sugar & Maple, Apple Pieces & Cinnamon, Cranberry Orange, Fruit & Seed, Pineapple Coconut, Gluten-Free Classic, Gluten-Free Blueberry Hazelnut, Gluten-Free Brown Sugar Maple, and Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon
• Made with certified organic and clean ingredients

For a quick and healthy breakfast, Bob's Red Mill sells both instant oatmeal packets and oatmeal cups that you can easily take on the go. You can buy the instant packets in Classic, Brown Sugar Maple, and Apple Cinnamon, but the oatmeal cups come in a wider variety of flavors. All of their ingredients are certified organic.

• Comes in Sprouted Apple Cinnamon, Sprouted Cacao Nib, Coconut Sugar & Spice, and Sprouted Quinoa Hemp
• Made with sprouted grains and clean ingredients

One Degree offers numerous sprouted-grain instant oatmeal flavors to get your day started right. One unique aspect about One Degree is they offer a clean source code with their products which allows you to track where the ingredients come from. All of their oatmeals are organic, gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan, and made without artificial ingredients.

• Comes in Goji Blueberry, Apple Walnut, Vermont Maple, and Coconut Almond
• Gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO, and filled with superfood ingredients

While some people aren't fond of oatmeal because of its texture, Modern Oats has one of the best textures out of any instant oatmeal brand. The Modern Oats oatmeal cups are also flavorful and filled with superfood ingredients. This oatmeal is also gluten-free, vegan, and non-GMO.

• Comes in Blueberry Chia Superfood, Maple Almond Cinnamon Superfood, Cranberry and Almond Superfood
• Made with super grains and fiber

Earnest Eats offers a gluten-free, allergen-friendly superfood oatmeal that's perfect for a quick and healthy breakfast. The superfood blend, made of oats, quinoa, and amaranth, is healthy and filling. They also ensure the oats they use are regeneratively farmed, which means they're made without added pesticides or other harmful chemicals. (Don't miss What America eats for Breakfast: 19 Novel Ways to Start the Day.)