While talking with my mom a couple weeks ago she brought up the topic of McDonald’s new oatmeal. Essentially, the teachers at the school she works at (she’s a teacher, too) were supposed to get free oatmeal for some reason, I honestly can’t remember the whole story. The idea is great, and many fast-food and other restaurants offer free food or discounted food. What got me thinking, though, was the people who don’t have those opportunities to get coupons for free things and end up paying full price for this food almost every day.
The bowl of oatmeal (Mcdonald’s) itself cost $1.99 plus tax. I did some research, and found other ‘fast-food’ places offer their version of oatmeal as well. Starbucks offers it for $2.45 plus tax, and Jamba Juice offers their version for $2.95 plus tax. So, if you went every day for a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast for a month (say it’s a 31 day month), you would be spending quite a bit of money. At Mcdonald’s, with a 6% tax it would cost $65.41 for a month’s worth of oatmeal. Starbucks will run you $80.60. Finally, the most expensive, Jamba Juice, will cost you $97.03! Quite frankly, I believe that this is a little ridiculous just for a ‘fancy’ bowl of oatmeal. In addition, do you really know how your oatmeal is being made or what is actually in the ingredients? At home you would!
So, here are a few recipes for oatmeal you can make for yourself at home. Some of them could be pre-made and taken to work to make there. Honestly, though, you will feel better if you take the time to make your own breakfast and give yourself time to enjoy it. No matter how busy you are, it is possible, believe me I know.
Apple Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal
Ingredients
1/2 cup Oatmeal
1 cup Water
1/4 cup Apple (I used Braeburn), diced
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
1/4 cup Raisins
Directions
1. Place all ingredients in a microwave safe bowl, stir well so the brown sugar dissolves.
2. Microwave for 3 minutes, let cool, and eat.
Brown Sugar Fig Oatmeal
Ingredients
1/2 cup Oatmeal
1 cup Water
3 dried Figs, cut into small pieces
1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
Directions
1. Place all ingredients in a microwave safe bowl, stir well so the brown sugar dissolves.
2. Microwave for 3 minutes, let cool, and eat.
Cranberry-Orange Oatmeal
Ingredients
1/2 cup Oatmeal
1 cup Water
1/3 cup Dried Cranberries
2 teaspoon Orange Zest
Juice of 1 Orange
1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
Directions
1. Place all ingredients in a microwave safe bowl, stir well so the brown sugar dissolves.
2. Microwave for 3 minutes, let cool, and eat.
How Much Does It Really Cost?
Cost Summary
Oatmeal – $1.50 (look for sales)
Apple – $0.88 for 1 lb (variable depending on what apple you buy)
Cinnamon – $2.00
Brown Sugar – $0.99 for a 2 lb bag (look for sales)
Raisins – $0.99
Dried Figs – $0.99
Orange – $1.20 for a 3 lb bag
Dried Cranberries – $0.99
Cost Details
Oatmeal
Serving Size – 1/2 Cup
Servings/Container – about 31
Cost/Serving – $1.50 / 31 = $0.05
Figs
Serving Size – 1/4 Cup
Serving Size We Used – about 1/8 Cup
Servings Per Container – 6 (using our serving size)
Cost/Serving – $0.99 / 6 = $0.17
Raisins
Serving Size – 1/4 cup
Servings/Container – 5
Cost/Serving – $0.99 / 5 = $0.20
Cranberries
Serving Size – 1/4 cup
Servings/Container – 3
Cost/Serving – $0.99 / 3 = $0.33
Apple
Serving Size – 1 Apple
Serving Size We Used – 1/4 Cup or about 1/2 Apple
(apples weigh on average around 9 oz or 3/4 lb.)
Cost/Serving – $0.88 * (4.5/16 which is half an apple) = $0.25
Orange
Serving Size – 1 Orange
(oranges weigh about the same as an apple, or 9 oz)
Cost/Serving – ($1.20/3 = $0.40 cents a pound) * 9/16 – weight of an orange) = $0.23
Cinnamon
Serving Size – 1/2 teaspoon
Servings/Container – 18
Cost/Serving – $2.00 / 18 = $0.11
Brown Sugar
Serving Size – 1 tablespoon
Servings/Container – 227 teaspoons or 76 tablespoons
Cost/Serving – $0.99 / 76 = $0.01
Cost Per Bowl
Apple Cinnamon Raisin
Oatmeal – $0.05
Apple – $0.25
Cinnamon – $0.11
Brown Sugar – $0.01
Raisins – $0.20
Total Cost – $0.62 per bowl
Brown Sugar Fig Oatmeal
Oatmeal – $0.05
Figs – $0.17
Brown Sugar – $0.01
Cinnamon – $0.11
Total Cost – $0.34 per bowl
Cranberry-Orange Oatmeal
Oatmeal – $0.05
Cranberries – $0.33
Brown Sugar – $0.01
Orange – $0.23
Total Cost – $0.62
How about that for saving money on breakfast? The cheapest oatmeal, that compares in ingredients, costs just 17% of the cost of McDonald’s cheapest oatmeal. If you were to just make plain oatmeal, it would cost $0.05! Throw in some brown sugar for a little more flavor, and it costs $0.06. That’s just 3% of the cost of McDonald’s.
**If you are looking for more delicious, homemade recipes for oatmeal, but aren’t looking for specific cost, check out Livewell 360′s 30 Day Oatmeal Challenge!**
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for sharing, Annissa!
I have not been tempted to buy McD’s oatmeal for those very reasons you listed: price + unknown ingredients/processing. I haven’t made my own oatmeal at home for awhile, though, so I think I’ll start again soon. It’s such a quick, filling breakfast! Love it!
I’m glad you enjoyed the article MReinheimer! It is good for us to hear our reader’s thoughts and comments, thanks for commenting! I hope you return and follow us.
For those of us who are gluten intolerant..you can always use corn meal in place of oatmeal it tastes just as good and has a creamy texture.
Fantastic idea Larabelle! Thank you for your comment and modification of the recipe.
This stuff looks great. I use trents recipes for breakfast burritos as my breakfast, but I’d like to switch it up a little bit – I think i’ll have to give one of these a try!
Thanks, Jeff! Breakfast burritos do sound pretty tasty, but oatmeal is great too. I like to eat it most mornings. Let me know what you think when you try one of them.