Just had my first bowl of porridge today...

flinty34

...and nearly got sick

Help!

Ok, I really need to start eating healthier and have been doing the whole fruit with yogurt thing, which is really nice. I decided porridge in the morning would be a good idea, so had my first bowl ever today.

Cooked in on the hob (don't have microwave) after leaving it soak over night. I think my first problem was making far too much. I had a huge bowl in front of me, which was a bit daunting. I added a little milk and some honey.

For me, the taste and consistency was awful. Is porridge just one of those you like it or you don't kind of foods? I'm not going to give up just yet, but would love some tips on how to make it tastier, if anybody has any.

Cheers in advance,
Flinty

Predator_

Add some milk and lots of honey, makes it nice to eat;)

Dixie Chick

Not exactly practical but to get used to the taste of porridge, go and have it ina cafe where it will be nice and your own cooking of it mightnt be great yet so at least you ahve something to aim towards then. I personally need to get my head around porridge as well and this is my plan.

flinty34

Dixie Chick wrote: »

Not exactly practical but to get used to the taste of porridge, go and have it ina cafe where it will be nice and your own cooking of it mightnt be great yet so at least you ahve something to aim towards then. I personally need to get my head around porridge as well and this is my plan.

Hey Dixie Chick, that's a great plan...cheers. Now to find a cafe that does porridge.

oneweb

flinty34 wrote: »

I added a little milk and some honey.

Predator_ wrote: »

Add some milk and lots of honey, makes it nice to eat;)

0_o

Used to wake up to the smell in the morning, can't even look at a pack of the stuff!

jdivision

What did you soak it in and what was the consistency when you started eating it?

rabsmith2

Could never eat porridge until i seen it being made with milk instead of water. Completely different and beautiful. Try 1 cup of oats to 2 1/2 cups of milk. No soaking. Bon Appetti
:pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac:

flinty34

jdivision wrote: »

What did you soak it in and what was the consistency when you started eating it?

I soaked it in water overnight (1 cup oats to 2 and 1/2 cups water, as suggested on the package).
The consistency was kind of like a bad risotto, one that had been cooked too long. It was slimy and like eating tasteless sludge.

Now, I am pretty sure it is how I prepared it that is the problem

flinty34

rabsmith2 wrote: »

Could never eat porridge until i seen it being made with milk instead of water. Completely different and beautiful. Try 1 cup of oats to 2 1/2 cups of milk. No soaking. Bon Appetti
:pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac:

Nice one, i'll give that a try. Cheers

metamorphosis

i like it soaked in water but love it soaked in milk. Also spruce it up. I love putting in a spoon of peanut butter whn its freshly hot and let the peanut butter melt in. Add berries or chopped banana. Some dessicated coconut, a little greek yogurt. A little addition can make it savage. letting a square of dark chocolate (70% +) and letting it melt in is also great.

RedXIV

Def go for the 1 cup oats to 2 + 1/2 cups milk and then a big dirty spoon of jam in it. jaysus its lovely

Acoshla

Porridge with water is hideous, porridge with milk is gorgeous, just had a bowl with some strawberries in it.

And lots of cafés serve porridge on their breakfast menu.

ray o

Yup you should defo go with the milk option or at least half milk and half water. Leave the jailhouse method to the professionals. I put brown sugar on mine and love it.

I tried soaking overnight to speed up the cooking next morning but did not like the consistency at all. I prefer to cook it straight up as I prefer a bit of a bite to it.

El_Dangeroso

Eat eggs? Porridge is not a mandatory component of a healthy diet.

Find the stuff excessively bland without a tonne of sugar myself.

flinty34

Temple_Grandin wrote: »

Eat eggs? Porridge is not a mandatory component of a healthy diet.

Find the stuff excessively bland without a tonne of sugar myself.

I don't eat eggs unfortunately...my main problem is I have a very limited range of foods that I like and 'healthy' foods don't seem to fit in to that range unfortunately...hence trying to give porridge a go.

Maybe I should do the same with eggs...I have a mental block with a lot of foods that are healthy...fish and eggs being two obvious ones

What is the best way to do eggs and I'll give them a go in a restaurant, as suggested above.

Cheers

flinty34

ULstudent, RedXIV, Spadina, D1gger cheers for your suggestions, you have certainly given me some hope

El_Dangeroso

flinty34 wrote: »

I don't eat eggs unfortunately...my main problem is I have a very limited range of foods that I like and 'healthy' foods don't seem to fit in to that range unfortunately...hence trying to give porridge a go.

Maybe I should do the same with eggs...I have a mental block with a lot of foods that are healthy...fish and eggs being two obvious ones

What is the best way to do eggs and I'll give them a go in a restaurant, as suggested above.

Cheers

What do you like to eat? You don't have to eat traditional breakfast foods for breakfast. I'm all for expanding food variety, but trying to do that while commencing a healthy eating regimen is going to be extra tough.

Best to shape your diet around healthy foods you do eat and then add in more things after your tastebuds get a break from hyper-palatable processed food.

flinty34

Temple_Grandin wrote: »

What do you like to eat? You don't have to eat traditional breakfast foods for breakfast. I'm all for expanding food variety, but trying to do that while commencing a healthy eating regimen is going to be extra tough.

Best to shape your diet around healthy foods you do eat and then add in more things after your tastebuds get a break from hyper-palatable processed food.

What do I eat? Unfortunately that's the problem. I'm such a fussy eater. Maybe I've just been lazy on trying to acquire a taste for different foods.

In the morning, if I'm in work early enough (as they supply fruit) I would have a handful of strawberries chopped up in 2 Activia yogurts. If i miss the fruit I have Special K and skimmed milk (thinking its a healthy option, but it probably ain't). I would have no problem taking the time to make something at home if it was good for me and I liked it.

I think the 'hyper-palatable processed food' is definitely my problem.

rubadub

flinty34 wrote: »

I don't eat eggs unfortunately...my main problem is I have a very limited range of foods that I like and 'healthy' foods don't seem to fit in to that range unfortunately...hence trying to give porridge a go.

If you don't like eggs or porridge then try combining the 2 -make pancakes with the oats. Thread here about it with lots of suggestions
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=2055002535

flinty34

rubadub wrote: »

If you don't like eggs or porridge then try combining the 2 -make pancakes with the oats. Thread here about it with lots of suggestions
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=2055002535

Looks great rubadub, cheers for that. Gonna have to brush up on my culinary skills.

El_Dangeroso

flinty34 wrote: »

What do I eat? Unfortunately that's the problem. I'm such a fussy eater. Maybe I've just been lazy on trying to acquire a taste for different foods.

In the morning, if I'm in work early enough (as they supply fruit) I would have a handful of strawberries chopped up in 2 Activia yogurts. If i miss the fruit I have Special K and skimmed milk (thinking its a healthy option, but it probably ain't). I would have no problem taking the time to make something at home if it was good for me and I liked it.

I think the 'hyper-palatable processed food' is definitely my problem.

Fruit and natural yoghurt is a nice breakfast, if it fills you until lunch, sometimes it does for me, sometimes I need a little extra protein, you like bacon? You're right about the special K.

Rubadub's pancakes could be handy as well. Or the previous night's leftovers.

flinty34

Temple_Grandin wrote: »

Fruit and natural yoghurt is a nice breakfast

On yoghurt...if it isn't 'natural' yoghurt, like just regular activia strawberry, is that not a good idea?

El_Dangeroso

flinty34 wrote: »

On yoghurt...if it isn't 'natural' yoghurt, like just regular activia strawberry, is that not a good idea?

What are the ingredients other than yoghurt?

flinty34

Temple_Grandin wrote: »

What are the ingredients other than yoghurt?

Ingredients here:
http://www.activia.ie/index.php/products/13#/products/fruit/strawberry/42

looks to be a few things in there alright.

Edit: Actually, i eat more this one:

http://www.activia.ie/index.php/products/13#/products/fibre/kiwi-cereals-/46

Twenty10

The nicest porridge I've even had was in Neven Maguire's B&B/Restaurant in Blacklion, Cavan - its to die for!

BLACKLION PORRIDGE WITH IRISH MIST, HONEY AND CREAM
Serves 4
Ingredients
4oz porridge oats (organic)
½ pint whole fat milk
¼ pint cream
4 dessertspoons honey
4 dessertspoons Irish mist
Method
Simmer the porridge oats and milk together in a saucepan for 8 to 10 minutes stirring all the time until the mixture is slightly thickened and smooth. It is important to have the porridge a nice consistency.
To serve spoon the porridge into a bowl. Drizzle some honey and Irish mist over and finally serve with cream if wished.

flinty34

Twenty10 wrote: »

The nicest porridge I've even had was in Neven Maguire's B&B/Restaurant in Blacklion, Cavan - its to die for!

wow, that does sound nice. Don't think it's the healthy everyday option , but could be the one sunday morning a month treat

El_Dangeroso

flinty34 wrote: »

Ingredients here:
http://www.activia.ie/index.php/products/13#/products/fruit/strawberry/42

looks to be a few things in there alright.

Edit: Actually, i eat more this one:

http://www.activia.ie/index.php/products/13#/products/fibre/kiwi-cereals-/46

Not great is it? Prob better than special K though.

You could approximate the same thing by leaving mashing up some strawberries (and other fruit if you want, plums are sweeter than their sugar content suggests), sprinkle in some oats, leave to sit in the fridge overnight to intensify the flavours and eat the next morning.

muldoocs

another thing thats lovely in porridge is cinnamon - yum!

Thumpette

I love porridge now I've found 'my way' of making it.

Firstly I get Jumbo oats so it doesnt go so much into mush. I dont do any soaking, just add 1 cup of oats, one of low fat milk and 1.5 of water

What I always do is add something for texture. My favorite is a little 14g box of raisens sprinkled over the top- but its also lovely with some chopped grapes or bananas- just something to give some texture.

Good luck with it- never easy to aquire a taste!

flinty34

Temple_Grandin wrote: »

Not great is it? Prob better than special K though.

You could approximate the same thing by leaving mashing up some strawberries (and other fruit if you want, plums are sweeter than their sugar content suggests), sprinkle in some oats, leave to sit in the fridge overnight to intensify the flavours and eat the next morning.

yeah, the berries things sounds good, but I may try and find some natural yoghurt to add a bit of creaminess.

Thanks a lot for the advice

flinty34

muldoocs wrote: »

another thing thats lovely in porridge is cinnamon - yum!

good call, cheers

flinty34

Thumpette wrote: »

I love porridge now I've found 'my way' of making it.

Firstly I get Jumbo oats so it doesnt go so much into mush. I dont do any soaking, just add 1 cup of oats, one of low fat milk and 1.5 of water

What I always do is add something for texture. My favorite is a little 14g box of raisens sprinkled over the top- but its also lovely with some chopped grapes or bananas- just something to give some texture.

Good luck with it- never easy to aquire a taste!

Yeah, the jumbo oats could be the way forward, I must try them...really didn't like the mush. Like the idea of raisins too, cheers

ray o

flinty34 wrote: »

Yeah, the jumbo oats could be the way forward, I must try them...really didn't like the mush. Like the idea of raisins too, cheers

Jaysus no! Stay away from the raisins. They are crammed with natural sugar. It's the same with muesli. Lots of people think they are making the healthy choice but they have loads of raisins which sends the sugar levels through the roof.

Another option is Oatabix. They come same as Wheetabix or in smaller bites. Made from Oats so even better than Wheetabix but different taste and consistency than porridge. I eat these in work so I don't have to flute around with microwaves etc to make porridge.

flinty34

D1gger wrote: »

Jaysus no! Stay away from the raisins. They are crammed with natural sugar. It's the same with muesli. Lots of people think they are making the healthy choice but they have loads of raisins which sends the sugar levels through the roof.

Yikes, knowing the right things to eat is really tough...thought I was on to a winner with raisins...little chewy goodness...then whammo, they're taken away from me

ray o

flinty34 wrote: »

Yikes, knowing the right things to eat is really tough...thought I was on to a winner with raisins...little chewy goodness...then whammo, they're taken away from me

Strawberries and bluberries are smashing additives to natural yogurt and porridge etc.. Blueberries can be expensive in the big supermarkets but lidl do them for nearly half the price.

muldoocs

Woah!! there is millions of blackberries for free hanging off the hedges -just as good for you if not better as you've picked them ripe. Low carbon miles too

metamorphosis

having a sensible i.e fistful of raisens in your porridge is grand. It will not send your sugar levels 'off the roof'. If it does worry you, through is some nuts too or protein as they digest slower and as a result, lower blood sugar level rising.

A handfull wont do anything drastic to you blood sugars. Enjoy your raisens.

Dixie Chick

Just a note about teh muesli and granola sugars, most of the regular shop bought ones are really sugary but there are two brand im happy to eat and I am a Low GL-er and thats

Carmans no fruit muesli (love cinnamony taste)
Lizis origina granola (a bit more-ish)

Dixie Chick

D1gger wrote: »

Strawberries and bluberries are smashing additives to natural yogurt and porridge etc.. Blueberries can be expensive in the big supermarkets but lidl do them for nearly half the price.

and the baggies of frozen berries in lidl and aldi and very cheap as well ad will last you ages. YUM, they are like sweets

ray o

i'm open to correction on the raisins, just going by what I have read they contain fast releasing sugars and so are not ideal forhealthy eating. I suppose the omission of raisins would be more aimed at people trying lose weight and keep their blood sugar levels at a stable rate through the day. If your unconcerned about weight and they help you make the move to enjoying poridge then go for it. Raisins and bananas etc..have their uses but don't be fooled into thinking they are healthy if trying to control weight without excercise. It's a huge subject with loads of variables to take into account.

metamorphosis

D1gger wrote: »

i'm open to correction on the raisins, just going by what I have read they contain fast releasing sugars and so are not ideal forhealthy eating. I suppose the omission of raisins would be more aimed at people trying lose weight and keep their blood sugar levels at a stable rate through the day. If your unconcerned about weight and they help you make the move to enjoying poridge then go for it. Raisins and bananas etc..have their uses but don't be fooled into thinking they are healthy if trying to control weight without excercise. It's a huge subject with loads of variables to take into account.

They pack in a nice bit of sugar but are not unhealthy to eat in a sensible portion at all. remember raisens are an actual food rather than something that has ingredients (just don't go buying sweetened raisens or brands that have veg oil added). A fistful wont offset too high a rise in sugar levels. Having 5 fistfuls might be a different story altogether and if you add in a few nuts too or another source of fat or protein it will offset any potential rise in blood sugars.

Lots of raisens eaten alone by themselves will change blood sugar levels, in fact eating anything will do that generally to some degree. But when you eat the raisens in combo with oats and nuts etc, then it will be digested slower. When it digests slower, blood sugars are kept constant.

Thumpette

Woops Ive started a raisen war

I agree that they arent good to scoff a 500g portion in a sitting- I get little mini boxes in tesco (aimed for kids lunchboxes I presume- I favour the sunmaid variety)

They are only 14g a box, so if you do ww (which i know isnt the bible of whats healthy) less than .5 points a go- I just find the texture and taste worth a go- and surely better than a big dirty spoonful of the granulated stuff!

jdivision

You can also look up rubadub's oat pancake recipe which always seems to go down well

flinty34

jdivision wrote: »

You can also look up rubadub's oat pancake recipe which always seems to go down well

Yeah, had a look at that...gonna try it alright

Thumpette

Yummm, think im gonna give the porridge pancakes a go tomorrow

jam_mac_jam

D1gger wrote: »

i'm open to correction on the raisins, just going by what I have read they contain fast releasing sugars and so are not ideal forhealthy eating. I suppose the omission of raisins would be more aimed at people trying lose weight and keep their blood sugar levels at a stable rate through the day. If your unconcerned about weight and they help you make the move to enjoying poridge then go for it. Raisins and bananas etc..have their uses but don't be fooled into thinking they are healthy if trying to control weight without excercise. It's a huge subject with loads of variables to take into account.

Raisins and bananas are healthy and a couple of raisans in your porridge in the morning is not going to make you fat. Its oats ad fruit, you are advising people to eat some processed oatabix stuff and saying not to eat fruit? yes I know you have to keep it in moderation but nobody gets fat eating natural food.

muffinn

Add a teaspoon of 100% cocoa powder, it hardly has any calories and gives you rich, full bodied chocolate flavour. Mix in a teaspoon of almond/hazelnut/peanut butter and sprinkle some granulated splenda on top.

I guarantee you'll love it!

Doolee

flinty34 wrote: »

Hey Dixie Chick, that's a great plan...cheers. Now to find a cafe that does porridge.

Try Cafe Fresh in the Powerscourt Shopping Centre in Dublin if youre based there. Its upstairs. I've never tried it but I've been told their porridge is to die for!
Enjoy

flinty34

muffinn wrote: »

Add a teaspoon of 100% cocoa powder, it hardly has any calories and gives you rich, full bodied chocolate flavour. Mix in a teaspoon of almond/hazelnut/peanut butter and sprinkle some granulated splenda on top.

I guarantee you'll love it!

sounds good alright, cheers Muffinn

flinty34

Doolee wrote: »

Try Cafe Fresh in the Powerscourt Shopping Centre in Dublin if youre based there. Its upstairs. I've never tried it but I've been told their porridge is to die for!
Enjoy

Nice one Doolee, am in town tomorrow morning, will try it out.
Cheers

Thumpette

Just made the oat pancakes today- might have been a bit funny as the first one was very soft- but the 2nd one seemed to have most of the oats and was delish with a squeeze of honey!

Was suprised at how much fuller i felt with the egg too

They dont taste a bit like porridge either- give them a go OP!