The Best Way To Order McDonald’s Oatmeal: Saves You 29 grams of Sugar

Better yet, don't order it in the first place!

Michelle on January 25, 2016

It is healthier than most of their items. Should be on the dollar menu: $2 oatmeal seems a bit much.

Glove box emergency (stranded, broke or dieting) food: Pouch of oatmeal (100 calories and <20 cents), individual peanut butter (130 calories, <15 cents).

Add McDonald's apples (30 calories, $1), hot water (free) . It might prevent one of those 'I'm so hungry and broke I can eat unhealthy food today" experiences. Plus, you never know when you might be stranded for several hours. You could feed a car full of hungry kids for a couple bucks in a pinch.

Sue Clark, MS,LPC-S, TherapyOnLocation.com on January 25, 2016

PS I plan to make SOS kits to give away (for glove box & for soldiers). Soldiers and those stranded in cars need bare basics to survive (or suffer less). <People likely won't keep anything bigger than a sandwich bag in their glove box>.

I live in TX, need input from Northerners: ideas for food and other urgent items. I mentioned peanut butter and oatmeal packets in my earlier post, (but other food and basics could make a big difference). Those could be "Snack Girl Mini Snacks & Beyond". lol

A glove box with a small first aid kit and this SOS kit could be life saving.

sue Clark, MS,LPC-S, TherapyOnLocation.com on January 25, 2016

I don't eat at McDonalds but if I were traveling within an airport I would eat the oatmeal in a pinch. I usually get the oats at Starbucks without the add ins or I get the turkey bacon, egg white breakfast sandwich. It's always good to know where options are available in a pinch. I alwYs pack my snacks and food on road trips

Maggie on January 25, 2016

I would really enjoy your take on healthy food to pack for air or road trips or just the Mon thru Fri rush, to avoid FF. It's fun to read all your readers' tips and ideas too. I fall in the DIYer's camp no matter how much FF improves their menu. My food tote includes ziplock bags of spiced rolled oats, nuts n raisins. I find the texture of rolled oats preferable to instant with just hot water added [but I've made my own instant oats for my kids using a blender--very easy]. I have a pkg of commuter cups, utensils and napkins. Also peanut butter, crackers, apple sauce, juice boxes, bullion, teas, various home-made granolas, zip-paks of tuna, mini mason jars of oil/vinegar, s/p, water, etc. Throwing in a banana, apple or other whole fruit that needs no prep or wrap is a snap. Making up a travel portion of salad from last night's leftovers is just an automatic reflex with me. I now do this for my visiting kids for their road trips home. Because the availability of lunch-type restaurants has changed so drastically in my lifetime, there certainly might be a rare emergency-type occasion where FF would be my only choice and for this oatmeal info I thank you. But for the rest of the time I'll plan for my food needs. Remember that saying, ''if you fail to plan, you plan to fail''; that stuck with me especially as I got older and began to put on weight and get more serious with healthy food choices. I still very much appreciate all your hard work as important input to food choices we have to make 3 times a day! Another saying I frequently bring to mind is, ''eat food, not too much, mostly plants'' [Pollan]. It's become my mantra to keep me healthy!

BarbL on January 25, 2016

When you say, "get the cream added", how much do you ask for and what type of cream are they adding? I am a diabetic and am always careful about knowing my ingredients. Thanks

Linda on January 25, 2016

Thanks, Linda. I was wondering the same thing.

Kellee on January 25, 2016

I used to stop at McDonald's on the way to one of my job sites. Otherwise I cook my own oatmeal at the main office. I would ask for no sugar and skim or 1% milk, and black coffee. They always got my order wrong! I even wrote it down and handed them the paper, after asking if it was okay. (I don't want to insult anyone.) I don't go there anymore:(

When cooking oatmeal at work, I mash a banana in a one-quart glass bowl, combine with 1/4 cup frozen blueberries, 1/3 cup dry oats, ~5 oz water or unsweetened almond milk. Microwave for 2.5 minutes. Top with 1 - 2 Tbsp chopped nuts. Yum:)

Joan on January 25, 2016

THANK YOU!! For all your researching! I LOVE all your ideas. Can't wait to try this.

Marenda on January 25, 2016

When I am running late in the am I will put some 1% milk in a container, go to McDee's and get oatmeal without brown sugar or cream. I do like the fruit. When I get to work I put the milk in the oatmeal and I'm all set.

Madeline on January 25, 2016

IMO, the BEST reason to make your own stuff and avoid corporate FF like McD's and other FF establishments in addition to better ingredients, nutrition, taste and cost!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNO5J0k6ZC0

BarbL on January 26, 2016

In Canada, the brown sugar is in a packet you get, you add, or not yourself. No option for cream. Only milk. Has always been available all day. I carry sliced almonds in purse to add.

Lynn on January 26, 2016

Did not know you could customize it. Good to know. I usually make enough to last 3 days and add unsweetened apple sauce and cinnamon to it. No sweeter needed.

Sue on January 26, 2016

I have started carrying a couple of packets of oatmeal and I just ask for hot water in a cup like for tea. I don't mind paying for the water and cup but the plain oatmeal packets are 3 SP.

Rhonda on February 3, 2016

In ABQ, NM, (at least the location near me) puts cream in if you like it or not! Same with the icky brown sugar. I have tried to order without. If you have a choice in your area, I would get cream on the side too. It is gross and makes the oatmeal cold and white. I used to like the oatmeal in CA when I could get without sugar and cream was not mentioned or offered.

Carrie Lee on December 13, 2016

I miss the oatmeal without brown sugar in McD. Wondering where can I buy them. Thx

Dave on February 20, 2017