If you don't know what to have for breakfast today ...

Sometimes there is nothing more comforting and satisfying than a great bowl of oatmeal. This is a perfect bowl with extra nutrients and flavor for you. Make sure you use good quality rolled oats for this recipe instead of quick oats; it is well worth the couple extra minutes of cooking time.

Prep and Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2¼ cups water
• dash salt
• 1 cup regular rolled oats
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup raisins
• ¼ cup chopped walnuts
• soy milk, or skim milk
• sweetener such as molasses, or honey

Directions:

1. Combine the water and salt in a small saucepan and turn the heat to high.
2. When the water boils, turn the heat to low, add oatmeal, and cook, stirring, until the water is just absorbed, about 5 minutes. Add cinnamon, raisins, and walnuts, stir, cover the pan and turn off heat. Let set for 5 minutes. Serve with milk and sweetener.
   Serves 2

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Daily Food Tip

Is it true that the fructose in fruit is metabolized as fat causing an elevation of triglycerides?

Q. Is it true that the fructose in fresh fruit is metabolized as fat, causing an elevation in triglycerides? If so, would eating fruit with additional fiber-containing foods be a good strategy?

A. The fructose found in fruit does not get metabolized as fat inside your body. The fructose found in fruit is a simple sugar, and it gets metabolized as a simple sugar. Eating fresh fruit does not elevate your triglyceride level. Eating fresh apples, berries and citrus fruits is an excellent practice, and one we'd encourage you to continue. (You'd want to make sure that these fruits were part of an overall balanced and varied meal plan that was matched to your individual needs). We would also encourage you to purchase certified organic fruit whenever possible for their greater nutritional content. You will also be avoiding toxic residues from pesticides and other contaminants.

Fortunately, when we stick with whole, natural foods, we do not have to worry about the effects of different food components. Our bodies are designed to derive optimal nourishment from whole, natural foods. The amount of fiber found in fresh fruits is exactly the amount there is supposed to be. You can trust this amount to balance all of your health needs, as long as the fresh fruits are part of a healthy meal plan. You do not need to add anything to the fruit to counteract any nutrient contained within the fruit. This same principle would apply to any whole, natural food.