Starbucks' new healthy breakfasts: Worth the cash?
Lately, I've been on an oatmeal kick. My kids and I can't get enough, especially after I started investigating the health benefits of whole grains and learned the easiest, most delicious way to get those grainy nutrients: soak thick-cut oatmeal overnight with a bit of whey, buttermilk or raw milk and cook it in the morning. It takes less than a minute the night before, and only a few minutes of active work in the morning, and I serve my oatmeal with fresh fruit in season, chopped-up nuts from local farmers, organic maple syrup, organic raw milk. Even though I'm using the luxi-est ingredients available and paying retail prices (often from the farmer's market, which is a pricey-but-sustainable choice), each serving costs me less than $1.50.Enter Starbucks and their "perfect oatmeal." For $2.45, I can pick two of three mix-ins -- dried fruit (sweetened with sugar), nuts or brown sugar. At $2.45 for what is essentially just a cardboard cup with some chopped-up grains, and with that smug name, I expected something great. After all, this whole line of foods is part of CEO Howard Schultz' mission to eat more healthy himself; his cholesterol and weight were deemed too high by his physician. Oatmeal does, after all, seem a sensible and quick alternative to other fast breakfasts, like doughnuts, Egg McMuffins, and the like.
But Howie! What's with all that sugar? And what's with the instant oatmeal? I tried a bowl and was flummoxed. First: it wasn't that good, what with the instant oats and the skim milk. Not only would you eat a lot of processed sugar were you to choose either brown sugar or dried fruit on your perfect oatmeal, using instant oats removes a lot of the good nutrients. So you'll be messing with your body's metabolism (processed sugars and highly-processed grains trick your body into thinking it wants more, causing overeating and directly contributing to weight gain), in addition to paying more than you could if you made it at home.
Making your own oatmeal is cheaper, better for you, and it will prevent you from thinking you need a pastry too... and a grande mocha... paying off huge in lower health costs down the road.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-05-2008 @ 9:06PM
CHRIS said...
I HAVE BEEN ON A HEALTHY KICK MYSELF. I ESPECIALLY LIKE THE ORGANIC FOODS. MANY OF THEM TASTE SO MUCH BETTER AND MUCH HEALTHIER FOR US.
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10-06-2008 @ 10:05AM
Jonathan Meyers said...
Try CHEERIOS. They are just as healthy as oatmeal.
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10-06-2008 @ 11:05AM
Dennis said...
Save your money. You can eat Healthier at home and you know who's cooking it and how it's made.
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10-12-2008 @ 9:17PM
Dave Miedema said...
The oatmeal tasted bad because they used some of their non-stop running faucet water in the preparation :)
Dave Miedema
Chicago area
Another Starbucks? There goes the neighborhood!
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10-12-2008 @ 2:24PM
Call me M said...
Dave Miedema, ha ha ha, love the humor! For the rest of you, make it at home and avoid the microwave. It really does taste better and you won't have to go into foreclosure to pay for it.
10-12-2008 @ 2:52PM
Chris said...
What is with all the people with the running water? This is not Starbucks idea. This is required by the health dept. Do your research people. If you don't like Starbucks don't go.
10-12-2008 @ 11:34PM
Dizzy said...
I work at a Starbucks and I really don't think the oatmeal is anything special. It's too pricey and all the customers think it's too watery. Stick with the fruit cups- buy yourself a box of Quaker. It's got better flavors anyway.
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10-12-2008 @ 2:18PM
Val Dare said...
Oatmeal is great most BUT not for blood type O folks. No grains other than spelt. Whole wheat bread is tyhe biggest no no.
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10-12-2008 @ 3:00PM
Lisa said...
Why is oatmeal not good for o blood types and especially wheat bread? I love oatmeal!
10-12-2008 @ 3:03PM
Sue said...
what do you mean not for blood type o people? I never heard this before, and no whole wheat bread? What do you know, that I don"t?
10-12-2008 @ 2:24PM
regazzo said...
I love the Starbucks Oatmeal - I had actually heard it is Starbucks most successful food launch ever in the history of the company. I happen to be a fan of Starbucks, they do a ton of good locally, and environmentally, and help their farmers farm in a sustainable manor. I don't get the misdirected anger towards Starbucks, clearly there are much more evil company's.........I think Starbucks uses its influence in very positive ways.
as for the writer of this anything you serve at home is going to cost lest than something prepared in a store....the logic here is shallow and not thought out......you can wash your car for less at home than going to a car wash, you can make tomato sauce for less than you can buy in a jar, you can walk to work for less than it costs to drive.........some of like the healthy choice on the fly. Some of us don't stock our pantries as you seem to, some of us are glad to pay a little extra for convenience.
Now if you want to critique on taste, quality of ingredients etc. go for it........but the starbucks alternative sure beats going to McDonalds or a donut shop from breakfeast
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10-12-2008 @ 5:06PM
Yslandgyrl said...
They do a ton of good and help their farmers in a sustainable manor? Since when? They are like the Walmart of coffee. They oversaturate their own market, put up stores ridiculously close to each other and don't have a problem with moving in across the street from a Mom & Pop coffee shop. They've been dragged, kicking and screaming into the arena of fair trade coffee and still charge way too much for way too little.
10-12-2008 @ 6:09PM
Andrea said...
Couldn't have said it better myself!
10-12-2008 @ 2:23PM
Renee said...
I featured it in my blog of 9/07/08
http://picadaybyrenee.blogspot.com/
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Saturday Morning 6:10 a.m. Breakfast at Starbucks
Starbucks calls it 'Perfect Oatmeal.' It's a pretty far cry.
My husband had dried fruit and used words like 'ripoff', 'tasteless' and 'watery.'
Mine was palatable with mixed nuts and brown sugar. I did forget to say 'no foam' in my Skinny Decaf Vanilla Latte,
and got only half a cup o' joe. Now THAT'S a ripoff.
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10-13-2008 @ 2:32AM
Lynne said...
so just exactly how do you cook the steel cut oatmeal overnight? What is the recipe? Soak in milk in the refrigerator overnight?...
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10-12-2008 @ 2:33PM
rtrrocket said...
Starbucks is wasting 6 million (yes, million) gallons of water a day be insisting that their utensils be rinsed under running water all day long at all locations.
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10-12-2008 @ 2:54PM
Kathy said...
I agree with regazzo... Quit dissin the Starbucks... ok - you don't like the oatmeal .. don't eat it.. I wish I had the option of a farmers market like you seem to have... or a starbucks close by.. both are over 1 hour away... Starbucks do treat their employees well and provide benefits to them... more than many employers.. I wish them well ..
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10-12-2008 @ 2:55PM
chanandlerbong17 said...
i think it's a bit silly to expect starbucks to have some amazing oatmeal. i think it's great that there is another healthy option to the top pot apple fritter or cinnamon scone. and honestly, the theory that instant oatmeal is going to drive me to eat pastries and gain weight is silly. eat less. move more. you're going to be healthier if you eat instant oatmeal over coffee cake. it's still whole grains! take it for what it's worth. starbucks is making an effort to offer simple, healthy choices. not gourmet oatmeal.
and in reference to the running water scandal, the alternative to the "dip well" would be a stagnant pool of whip cream, milk, and syrup. i do think starbucks should find a different way of keeping the spoon clean, but lighten up. basken robins uses constant running water too.
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10-12-2008 @ 2:55PM
otrpu said...
Just plain ole oatmeal, sprinkle on some cinnamon and throw on a handfull of raisins. What you all adding all the extra sugar, brown or otherwise for? Get nuff sweet from the raisins or strawberries, maybe bananas.
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10-12-2008 @ 2:56PM
rebelbballgirl87 said...
As a barista, I have to say, most people don't come into the store looking to be healthy. When people come in for breakfast, they want something quick. Having oatmeal as an option in the store gives them a simple, quick, and filling meal to start their day. Although it may not be as healthy as the less processed oats, it is still better than grabbing a donut. I have not personally tried the oatmeal, since I'm allergic to oats, I have only heard positive feedback from customers. In fact, while working last night, a lady came in asking for 3 cups of the oatmeal, unprepared, so that she could prepare it for herself and her family the next morning because they liked it so much.
Also, on the comment about the faucet water used to prepare it, all of our water is triple filtered. So, the water has no alteration on the taste of the oatmeal.
So, the thing is, it's oatmeal, you either like it, or you don't. It's all in personal preference. I feel like Starbucks gets criticized for every new release, and it's silly.
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