After packing lunch boxes for the girls this morning, I realized there was no time for me to eat breakfast at my kitchen table. I decided today was the morning to try an item from the Starbucks revamped breakfast menu. The morning was chilly, and being a big fan of hot cereals I decided to give the Perfect Oatmeal ($2.45) a try.
To see if I thought this oatmeal lived up to its name as well as nutritional information, just read more.
The server at Starbucks handed me my vented to-go bowl of oatmeal and told me to wait three minutes for it to "cook" and add milk if I needed. When I got to the office and opened my bowl, it became clear that more liquid was needed. However, I chose a little hot water from the water cooler over milk. The oatmeal comes with three mix-ins, conveniently labeled with their caloric content. There is a generous portion of brown sugar — 50 calories, a package of mixed nuts (walnuts, almonds and pecans) — 100 calories, and dried fruit (cranberries and raisins) — 100 calories. The unadulterated oatmeal is 140 calories, and goes up to 390 with all the mix-ins. Of course, the oatmeal is tastier with all the mix-ins; I particularly enjoyed the nuts.
Taste wise, this oatmeal is good, but not perfect. It was a little too thick, but the consistency was easily remedied at the office. If I were on the road or at an airport, it would have been a different story. I do like that the oatmeal is made from whole grains and it definitely kept me full until lunch. There was zero guilt factor or regret in this breakfast, unlike a pastry or apple fritter. I will definitely eat it again.
Have you tried the Perfect Oatmeal from Starbucks? Tell me what you thought about it in the comments section below.
Farfetch
Paula Page
Wonderbra
I'll definitely try this. Also, has anyone tried the egg white flatbread sandwiches at Dunkin Donuts? I have a free coupon that's about to expire and trying to decide if it is worth my while to haul over to a Dunkin.......
1I agreed with Fit's assessment of it...
I tried it and thought the same thing. It's great for when you're in a pinch and need a healthy breakfast option.
HOWEVER, it's very similar to Quaker packaged oatmeal. But it costs just over $3 for it at Starbucks. The cheapest solution is just to keep some oatmeal packets at your desk at work.
2Wow...that's expensive. It takes 10 mins. to make old-fashioned oatmeal in the microwave. I'd suggest better planning. Like making granola to stick in the freezer for the quick grabs.
3every morning i see it and i've yet to try it. i actually saw a girl get it this morning and i don't know what her feelings were, but i'm sure that it was ok. it's interesting, as much as i like oatmeal, i don't eat it since i feel like it's just too heavy to sit in my stomach, but all the people in my office make it in the mornings. i think that it's a good offering from starbucks as an alternative to their breakfast sandwiches - but i still don't think that it's for me.
4This "perfect oatmeal" is total crap...when I tried it the other day, I saw the guy make it- he dumped a package of what looked suspiciously like Quaker's Instant Oatmeal into the cup and poured hot water over it. So why pay more than $2 for it?! A total rip off, and the mix-ins add so many calories. You're much better off just making your own oatmeal at home, or stashing Quaker Instant packets (watch out- some have HFCS!) in your desk drawer so you can dump it in a mug and pour some hot water on it when you get to work in the morning.
5yes but what if you're at the airport? it's a little silly to do this when you're at home, but if you are in the midst of travel and you have cinnabon and starbucks staring you down in your terminal, i would totally go with this.
6superfoxml -- i love, love, LOVE the egg white flatbreads from dunkin. since they've come out i've probably ordered at least 5 .. once even for dinner. both the veggie and turkey sausage are good (veggie is 20 calories more, i think) and the multigrain flatbread tastes really good, too!
7I have a coupon for a free cup of this (got it in the mail) so I will check it out that way.
superfox: The egg white sandwiches are ok, the veggie is better than the turkey sausage. I would try it out if you have a coupon, I like how crispy the bread is but I wish the bread had a bit more flavor, a bit cardboardy
8I will try this because I received a coupon to try it for free in the mail. I can't imagine that it would be any better than something I could make at home, but I guess if I want a healhy-ish breakfast and I was out, I would get this.
9Btw, Superfoxml, I really liked the Dunkin Donuts flatbread, very tasty!!
I'm glad you reviewed this! I see it whenever I go to Starbucks (not that that's often) and I've been wondering what it's like. I'm more interested in any chemicals/preservatives tho.
10I love oatmeal but I prefer good old Quaker Oats Maple & Brown Sugar packet with a tablespoon of half & half. Only 180 calories.
11Of course, oatmeal made at home is always better. The review was simply a review to alert us to what is available at Starbucks now. Good to know one can purchase a healthy alternative to cakes and croissants for breakfast at airports around the country.
12I have tried this several times now, and actually really like it.
13great if you're on the run. i'd definitely choose this over their pastries.
14I hate instant oatmeal. If you were just going to work, here's my tip: I keep a box of 5 minute oats (or even better, Silver Palate oats)in my drawer. Add 1/3 cup to a bowl or mug and add about 2/3 cup hot water from the water heater. Let sit 5-10 minutes while checking emails. Add a little more water or milk and microwave 2-3 minutes @ 60%. Done. Add raisins, cinnamon and nuts if desired (I keep them at work as well).
15I've tried it and for a quick breakfast when I'm running late for work it really hits the spot. I have it with the fruit and nuts, a little cinnamon and some non fat milk and it keeps me full, tastes yummy and I don't feel one bit bad about it. I guess for me the price is pretty reasonable when you compare it to other breakfast options around my office that are going to taste good and keep me full. Sure, having it pre-packaged from home is a better option and more economical but it isn't realistic for everyone. I'll probably get it often.
16whittle03, thanks for the input!! ill totally try it,they look really yummy!
17Yum! I will definitely give that a whirl. It's better than the "size of my face" croissant that I usually opt for
18looks groossosssss
19I've actually been eating it every morning. I always ask for a little extra water and find that by the time I get to work the consistency is perfect for me. Yes, I pay a premium for it but I do that because I'm always on the go. I don't have time to eat at home because I can't eat for an hour after taking my meds and it only takes me 35 minutes to get showered and out the door. This is a perfect breakfast for me, plus I found that I am full all the way THROUGH lunch. Which means I've been eating a lighter lunch the last few weeks.
20I Have had it and love it. I like it plain or with brown sugar. and the thickness of the oatmeal is just right for me , that his how I like it.
21eh. if i'm in a pinch and hungry at starbucks (like if i ever go), then i'd give it a try, but i'd rather make my oatmeal at home. buying a box of the packets is cheaper and easier. though i am glad starbucks is offering healthier alternatives to food rather than their pastries.
wish dunkin was in CA. i'd love to try those flatbreads.
22If anyone is near a Trader Joe's, they have steel-cut frozen oatmeal that you microwave. Better than Quaker packets
23I tried it and loved it. I thought it was really tasty and definitely kept me full till lunch (and guilt-free!)
24I just used my the coupon they sent this morning. I tried it with the brown sugar and dried fruit. I personally like a thick oatmeal so I didn't add any liquid to it. I eat oatmeal most mornings to begin with (Quaker packets-Raisins-n-Spice) so this was a welcome change while being familiar. I definitely recommend it for a meal over a breakfast sandwhich. Healthier!
25Because I rarely go to Starbucks for coffee (I prefer making my own) I would only get the oatmeal in the morning if it were a Starbucks treat morning.
i am so fortunate to be able to have breakfast at my office. in our break room, i keep a canister of quaker plain oat meal, a bag of raisins.. i buy the bag with little miniature boxes of raisins.. also i have some ground cinnamon, and a bottle of honey.
all together, it probably cost me about $10 to buy everything, and i prepare it in a coffee mug with 4 tablespoons of oats, one mini box of raisins, a dash of cinnamon, and if i want it sweet, some honey.
i use milk, but hot water works too for less calories, but also less protein
yeah, and also the oatmeal in the canister will usually last me a month at least
26I have some coupons to try it for free and will use that. I don't think I will ever pay for oatmeal because I can buy a box with 8 packets for $2 or $3.
27$2.45? That's insane. What I do is buy a big container of Quaker Oats and put 1/2 cup of them into a tupperware bowl with a lid and take them to work. Then, I just add water to it and microwave it and then you get oatmeal. Then I can just add whatever I want to it to make it tasty...a packet of Sugar in the Raw or brown sugar usually.
Incidentally, any oatmeal you buy is a whole grain. I always look for 100% rolled oats.
28Oh you would laugh at the mix I make at home: oats, 2 kinds of protein powder, brans, wheat germ, lecithin, flax seed, cinnamon, etc. I keep a big bowl prepared and tote around little baggies in my purse, car. I have a hard time getting protein so it's in/on everything. Good alternative for those that frequent Starbucks though.
29i like my oatmeal thick tho
30I had it today (used my coupon) it was OK. I put the brown sugar and 1/2 of the fruit. I will most likely get it again. Its pretty cool on the east coast now so it works right now.
31I tried this the other week and, while I love Starbucks, the oatmeal is absolutely terrible. I added the sugar but it is still completely tasteless and has the consistency of wall paper paste...skip it!
32I'm totally going to get these "fixins" at trader joes the next time I go and just stash some in a ziplock with me at work along with my oatmeal packets.
33It'd definitely be an option while traveling if I didn't have a protein or granola bar on me. When I'm working in an office, I almost always keep packets of oatmeal in my desk, along with nuts, granola, some fruit (dried or fresh) so I don't have to worry if I run out of the house without eating breakfast.
However, that doesn't always work, particularly when traveling, and particularly when traveling in the early (read: breakfast) hours.
34so I was stuck in a LONG line there the other day.. waiting and waiting for a fatfree latte.. I noticed the dried fruit and the nuts. I wanted to buy either of them so badly, but they were both so high in sodium. ..and I want to say carbs/sugars too. I can't remember..but I remember looking at the sodium and I totally put both of them back.
35I got a coupon in the mail for one of these for free, I will have to give it a try! Thanks for the review!
36Love your review. the mix-ins do look delicious but I will probably leave out the brown sugar and go for the natural taste of nuts and cinnamon.
37It looks good but I could probably make the same thing myself. I like a lot of the stuff Starbucks sells, but $3.00 for a cup of oatmeal seems like highway robbery to me.
38i prefer my oats with a bit of texture...chewy not mushy, and definitely no slime! i've got a simple recipe over here: http://www.creative-lifestyles.com/perfect-oatmeal/.
it's all about the water oat ratio...
39I prefer not to eat more than 1540 calories per day. By eating healthy, (veggies, fruits, salad, high fiber bread, lean meats etc) I can eat all day long. Starbucks is one of my weekly stops. I found a way to eat the oatmeal with very little regret (calories). I order their oatmeal, with none of the added goodies and since now they sell bananas, I have them slice a whole banana in the oatmeal. The banana gives it a sweet taste. And if that's still not enough I will add just a bit of agave syrup (1/2 tsp approx. 25cal.).
40I am not a morning person. So my food choices in the morning are generally poor - until now. I really like the oatmeal at Starbucks, and if you like it a little thicker or a little thinner, the staff are happy to add a little more or less water. Really helps me feel better in the mornings. Thanks Starbucks!
41This oatmeal is great!!!
42I love the Starbucks oatmeal. The amount of nuts that can be stirred in is perfect and it's an extremely healthy alternative to other breakfast choices when you're out and about. The nuts are an excellent addition healthwise as well. Forget the calories in these. They are heart healthy to the max.
I've tried to make oatmeal at home and used different nut variations, but can't find anything with the mix and size of these nuts.
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