5 Cool Things to do with Pumpkin and Protein Powder: Quick Pumpkin Protein Oats

I’m about to confess something, and it’s kind of a big deal in the healthy living bloggers’ niche.

I’ve never had a steel cut oat. Not a single one.

In fact, 99% of the time I eat oats, they’re instant. Not even the old-fasioned, rolled oats.

I realize that some of you just trembled a little up on your high horses, so I’ll give you a moment to collect yourselves. Ready, now?

We could get into a whole discussion about why old-fashioned oats trump instant and how steel-cut are even more superior when we consider the importance of eating less-processed, high fiber grains. But frankly, I don’t really care. I like instant oats because I can cook them in the microwave at work without my breakfast exploding all over the place. And I can prove that I always get my daily recommended fiber intake, and then some. (Thank you, Sparkpeople.) I’m quite certain you’ll agree with me that there are far worse things to put in one’s body than plain instant oats.

You know, like flavored packets of instant oats. If you want to talk about why those should be banned from grocery store existence, I’m all for it. Full of sugar and dried bits of stuff that we can’t be sure is even natural, I used to (back when I used to eat these things) need two packets to fill up. Twice the calories, twice the carbs, twice the sugar, and still no protein. Instead, why not start with a blank slate and add some other macronutrients to at least have a chance at being satisfied for a few hours?

These Quick Pumpkin Protein Oats are one of my favorite breakfasts. I certainly go through phases with my oatmeal, sometimes wanting it all the time, and at other times not missing it for weeks. But two things never change. I love pumpkin in my oats, any time of year. And my oats are almost always pumped up with protein powder for extra long-lasting goodness.

Quick Pumpkin Protein Oats

1/3 cup plain instant oats
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
1 scoop (25gm) Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard, Cake Batter, or vanilla flavored protein powder
1 packet of Truvia All Natural Sweetener, or other sweetener to taste
big dash of pumpkin pie spices

Combine all ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl (or plastic container, to bring with you on the go.) Pour in enough hot water to make it just a little thinner than you prefer to eat it, and mix well. Microwave for 30-60 seconds.

Nutritional Info
Servings Per Recipe: 1
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 218.4
Total Fat: 2.7 g
Cholesterol: 25.0 mg
Sodium: 427.6 mg
Total Carbs: 25.2 g
Dietary Fiber: 4.6 g
Protein: 24.8 g

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16 Responses to “5 Cool Things to do with Pumpkin and Protein Powder: Quick Pumpkin Protein Oats”

  1. 1

    Dawn — November 9, 2010 @ 2:29 pm Reply

    Love it! I got Gabby some vegan protien powder from the natural food store and I've been putting it in my oats with some PB2 and a Tbsp of wheat germ. Yum!

  2. 2

    Erin @ EKat's Kitchen — November 9, 2010 @ 2:36 pm Reply

    how awesome! It's been years since I've had oats, and never steel cut, but I'm with you on the flavored packets! I'm going to have to try oats soon! 🙂

  3. 3

    Mother Rimmy — November 9, 2010 @ 3:04 pm Reply

    What a hearty and healthy meal. I love the pumpkin addition. This would stay with me for awhile. Yum!

  4. 4

    Roxan — November 9, 2010 @ 3:43 pm Reply

    It's ok, I have regular oatmeal too! I have a huge canister in a drawer in my desk along with some raisins and honey. it makes a great breakfast and sometimes even lunch on those days where i'm too busy to grab something… (or just too lazy). I don't think there's anything wrong with that! I think it's quite smart, actually.Btw – when i saw your post in my google reader I totally read the title as meaning both pumpkin powder and protein powder. I got all excited because i had never heard of pumpkin powder before! ;]

  5. 5

    Bliss — November 9, 2010 @ 5:00 pm Reply

    I've been putting protein powder in my oats for awhile now, but I always hesitate because the protein I have makes the oats kind of chalky. Does your protein powder do that, or is it inherent to all protein powders? If not, would you mind letting me know what brand you use? Also – cake batter flavor! Yum! I've never heard of that one an will definitely have to try it.

  6. 6

    Joanne — November 9, 2010 @ 5:36 pm Reply

    I'm an instant oats girl as well so your secret is totally safe with me. I wish I had time to do steel cut…but um…I don't. Lvoe the pumpkin and protein powder in these to amp up the nutrients!

  7. 7

    Jennifurla — November 9, 2010 @ 5:40 pm Reply

    Why didnt I think of this! DOH

  8. 8

    Susie Bee on Maui — November 9, 2010 @ 5:43 pm Reply

    Hopefully this won't sound high horsey 🙂 but you can have the ease of your instant oatmeal with the better nutrients of old fashioned oats by making no-cook overnight oatmeal. Mix in whatever floats your boat! Really good, quick and easy, promise.http://eatlittleeatbig.blogspot.com/2010/10/recipe-for-overnight-oatmeal-three-days.html

  9. 9

    JQ Bancroft — November 9, 2010 @ 5:44 pm Reply

    Bliss, I use Jay Robb's protein powder and it has never tasted chalky to me–even though other brands have.

  10. 10

    faithfitnessfun — November 9, 2010 @ 7:11 pm Reply

    I do the quick cook oats too. They make life so much easier and with a toddler, that's important. They still come out tasty and filling which is what matters to me. :DTina – http://www.faithfitnessfun.com

  11. 11

    Notes from the Fatty File — November 9, 2010 @ 7:12 pm Reply

    Rock on with your instant, I say! I only eat steel-cut oatmeal because I cannot stand the texture of regular oatmeal. Too mushy. I like the bite of steel-cut. I soak mine overnight and then microwave them the next morning.

  12. 12

    faye — November 10, 2010 @ 3:28 pm Reply

    It's sound delicious! I like to try that but i am using protein powder that is really infomercial for all who want to stay healthy and fit. Thanks for sharing this nice and helpful post.

  13. 13

    stephen — November 11, 2010 @ 2:32 am Reply

    Thanks for sharing w/ the hearth and soul hop this week. it's making me hungry! health is riches

  14. 14

    German — December 1, 2010 @ 11:32 am Reply

    Know it! I got Talkative both vegan protien explosive from the rude content keep and I've been swing it in my oats with few PB2 and a Tbsp of corn germ. Yum! ——whey protein isolate

  15. 15

    john — December 13, 2010 @ 3:49 pm Reply

    I know it that protein is most of needable elements of the body.—–protein powder

  16. 16

    German — April 5, 2011 @ 1:23 am Reply

    Know it! I got Talkative both vegan protien explosive from the rude content keep and I've been swing it in my oats with few PB2 and a Tbsp of corn germ. Yum! ——whey protein isolate

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