# When did instant oatmeal change? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 1, 2018, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616 "2018-09-01T18:05:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/41 "2018-09-02T14:08:06Z")
> [@BeeGee](#): > > I like steel cut oats. I tried the overnight method. Once. Yuck. Complete mush. > > My method is tried and true. > > Boil three cups of water in a sauce pan. Add 1 cup steel cut oats and then turn the burner to low. Stir once and leave the lid off. Go take a shower, put in contacts, and get dressed. This should take about twenty minutes. Say “oh, shit, my oatmeal!” and run to kitchen. Breathe a sigh of relief, turn the burner off, stir, and divvy it up into four containers. Put three in the fridge and take one to work. Reheat at work with fruit, nuts, 1 packet sugar, and a splash of milk. > > One of my favorite stir ins is to cut up half of an apple and sprinkle it with cinnamon, cloves, and brown sugar. Microwave that on high for about a minute to make almost apple pie filling. I like this recipe. My favorite is making thick-cut oats with milk in a pot. It tastes great, and has a nice chewy texture. But that takes a little while and the pot is a PITA to clean. My favorite easy mix-in is craisins. But I also like some nuts and/or butter and brown sugar. Or just plain, with milk. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/42 "2018-09-02T14:50:37Z")
There’s some great recipe ideas in this thread. 😉 I’ll get a good bowl of oatmeal from at least one or more of them. I’ve always preferred hot cereal. I’ve made cream of wheat my entire life. Now oatmeal is back on the menu. I’ll still get pancakes. But only as a special treat at IHop. No more at home. Too much sugar and carbs. Many thanks. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/43 "2018-09-02T16:18:40Z")
> [@BeeGee](#): > > I like steel cut oats. I tried the overnight method. Once. Yuck. Complete mush. > > My method is tried and true. > > Boil three cups of water in a sauce pan. Add 1 cup steel cut oats and then turn the burner to low. Stir once and leave the lid off. Go take a shower, put in contacts, and get dressed. This should take about twenty minutes. Say “oh, shit, my oatmeal!” and run to kitchen. Breathe a sigh of relief, turn the burner off, stir, and divvy it up into four containers. Put three in the fridge and take one to work. Reheat at work with fruit, nuts, 1 packet sugar, and a splash of milk. > > One of my favorite stir ins is to cut up half of an apple and sprinkle it with cinnamon, cloves, and brown sugar. Microwave that on high for about a minute to make almost apple pie filling. Steel-cut oats here, too. I like a little crunch to them, so I cook about 10-15 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/44 "2018-09-02T16:26:46Z")
> [@BeeGee](#): > > I like steel cut oats. I tried the overnight method. Once. Yuck. Complete mush. It makes a big difference which kind of oats you use. You probably used instant or quick-cooking oats overnight. It won’t be mushy if you use _ **rolled** _ oats. [What’s the Difference Between Steel-Cut, Rolled, and Instant Oats?](https://www.thekitchn.com/whats-the-difference-between-steel-cut-rolled-and-instant-oats-138355) ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/45 "2018-09-02T17:15:19Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Does pouring boiling water from the kettle not work anymore? > > It’s really frustrating that nobody will disclose the power level of the _u_wave oven that the directions are standardized to. Then you can adjust either the power level or the cooking time. I’ll have to look at mine, since I have no idea what it is. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/46 "2018-09-02T17:32:25Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Why the package size is a little smaller I don’t know – maybe because it’s aimed at the diet-conscious – but proportionately it really does contain about a third less sugar per gram, so I don’t think there’s anything misleading in the packaging claim. Don’t most sugar substitutes weigh less than real sugar? That could account for a significant part of the difference. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/47 "2018-09-02T20:24:36Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Steel-cut oats here, too. I like a little crunch to them, so I cook about 10-15 minutes. [Oat groats](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=394009) are still superior to steel cut, steamed, rolled, pressed, or other varieties. IMHO, of course. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2018, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/48 "2018-09-03T04:15:37Z")
I got tired of oatmeal 2 or 3 years ago, so I’m not quite sure how I made it. But it was something like this. Like some others, I prefer oatmeal thick and fairly dry. I half-fill a mug with regular oatmeal, then enough skim milk to just cover it, plus a little more. I add a dash of salt and stir. Then I microwave it, watching it continuously. Whenever it threatens to boil over/emerge as a mass, I open the microwave, stir the oatmeal, and continue cooking. Repeat until microwaved for about 1 minute (or less if you feel it’s done). Stir in raisins/nuts/whatever. I like real maple syrup in it if I have it on hand. Adjust cooking time and amount of oatmeal and milk/water as desired. Originally I ate one-minute oatmeal. On one occasion I bought regular oats by mistake. By the time I finished the box, I decided I preferred the regular. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2018, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/49 "2018-09-03T05:13:40Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I’ve seen the variety packs in the grocery store. My wife likes the instant stuff, she makes it in the wave according to instructions, the only way she knows how to cook. I still add it to boiling water and it comes out about the same as ever. I think you may be using too much water if you get mush. But it is probably somewhat more pre-cooked to make it work better in the microwave which could get it to be more mushy. My oatmeal always boils over. I have to put a plate under the bowl and cook it for small periods of time and let it rest before continuing the cooking. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2018, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/50 "2018-09-03T05:16:18Z")
> [@eunoia](#): > > I’m boycotting Quaker products for the rest of my life since seeing [this photo](https://i.imgur.com/2LH6mpf.jpg) online. What’s the problem? They’re different products. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Burden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/958977/32.png) [@Jack\_Burden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Burden)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2018, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/51 "2018-09-03T05:58:16Z")
My Quaker Instant routine: Empty 1 pack each Apples & Cinnamon and Raisins & Walnuts into bowl. Add boiling water directly from Kerrigan on lowest volume setting. Stir and enjoy, as soon as it won’t scald my tongue. Instant Oatmeal packs are brilliant while camping and skiing. Portable, cheap, easy warm nutrition. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2018, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/52 "2018-09-03T11:43:08Z")
As a kid I liked oatmeal (Maple and Brown Sugar please) and ate it all the time. It was one of the few hot foods I could prepare myself. One day I was hungry and found a package in the cabinet. I made it and ate a spoonful and it tasted funny. I looked down and the bowl was full of meal worms. I literally threw the entire bowl in the sink and ran. That was almost four decades ago and I still haven’t eaten hot cereal since. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2018, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/53 "2018-09-03T14:56:49Z")
> [@ENugent](#): > > Don’t most sugar substitutes weigh less than real sugar? That could account for a significant part of the difference. I remember when you could get powdered drink mix (Wyler’s etc.) in packets with the sugar added. They were freakin’ huge compared to the artificially-sweetened drink mixes of today. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/54 "2018-09-04T00:09:00Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > What’s the problem? They’re different products. The point is that they cheated the reduction by just offering less food. What I don’t get is singling out Quaker: everyone does this. I once saw one about reduced calorie soups. They always reduce the serving size to pretty up the numbers. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/55 "2018-09-04T00:23:28Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > What’s the problem? They’re different products. I think his point is that they reduced the sugar by reducing the amount in the pack, not by removing sugar from the product. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/56 "2018-09-04T00:50:39Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I think his point is that they reduced the sugar by reducing the amount in the pack, not by removing sugar from the product. Actually, it looks like they did both. Because I clearly have nothing better to do tonight, I dug up the product info on the two products in that picture: [Quaker Instant Oatmeal Apples and Cinnamon](http://www.quakeroats.com/products/hot-cereals/instant-oatmeal/apples-with-cinnamon.aspx) [Quaker Lower Sugar Instant Oatmeal Apples and Cinnamon](http://www.quakeroats.com/products/hot-cereals/lower-sugar/appleandcinnamon.aspx) From the nutrition info: “Regular” Apples and Cinnamon - 43 grams packet size - 160 calories - 2 g fat - 33 g carbs, including: - 4 g dietary fiber - 1 g soluble fiber - 12 g sugar - 4 g protein “Lower Sugar” Apples and Cinnamon - 31 grams packet size - 110 calories - 1.5 g fat - 22 g carbs, including: - 3 g dietary fiber - 1 g soluble fiber - 6 g sugar - 3 g protein The apple bits themselves are undoubtedly a source of some of the sugar in both products. The Lower Sugar ingredient list includes sucralose (a.k.a. Splenda), which isn’t listed in the ingredients for the regular product, and strongly suggests that they replaced some, if not all, of the added sugar in the cereal itself with sucralose. One gram of sugar provides 4 calories, so the removal of 6 grams of sugar (24 calories) only accounts for about half of the reduced calorie level of the Lower Sugar product (24 out of the 50 calories, compared to the regular version), as well as only accounting for half of the smaller packet size (6 out of the 12 fewer grams). I have no idea if the amount of sucralose used in the Lower Sugar formula adds any meaningful mass to the packet, but given the lower size of the packet, as well as the lower levels of the other nutrients in it, I think it’s safe to say that “yes, they made it smaller, but beyond that, they _also_ took out some sugar.” ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/57 "2018-09-04T05:57:14Z")
I /like/ my oatmeal mushy. Back in the day, I used to take the rolled oats, add dates and powdered milk, and /boil/ it for half an hour ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/58 "2018-09-04T06:04:33Z")
That would be mushy alright. Have you ever tried cream.of wheat? ---
**Author:** ![Brayne\_Ded](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Brayne\_Ded](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brayne_Ded)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/59 "2018-09-04T07:33:14Z")
I have tried instant oatmeal a few times, mainly when camping. If it is a question of going hungry otherwise, then I’ll eat it, but as far as I am concerned it is only good for holding up wallpaper. Why bother with the mush in packets when real porridge oats can be cooked in a minute, in a saucepan? (No, I’m not Scottish.) ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/60 "2018-09-04T16:13:20Z")
> [@GreenWyvern](#): > > The best, quickest and simplest way: > > 1. Use plain, ordinary rolled oats, not instant. > 2. Cover with cold water and soak overnight (okay, you have to remember to do this the night before). > 3. In the morning, pour off the water. > 4. Zap it in the microwave for a short time to heat it up. > 5. Add milk and whatever else you want. > > _ **It takes 30 seconds before bed, and 1 min in the morning.** _ > > Delicious, ready to eat, and not mushy. > > No pots to clean, nothing special needed. You can also add raisins or other dried fruit to the oats when you soak them overnight. This is similar to my method, which is: 1. Use plain, ordinary rolled oats, not instant, + a pinch of salt 2. Cover with cold water or cold milk (1/2 cup oats to 1 cup liquid) 3. Zap it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, watching it to stop boil-overs 4. Let it rest for 2-3 minutes so the oats absorb any extra water 5. Add whatever else you want [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616.md?page=4)