Why You Should Swap Your Oatmeal for NoOatmeal
Before I knew anything about Paleo, I’d often make up Oatmeal for breakfast. Especially in the winter, I felt it was the epitome of healthy breakfasts. Now however, I’ve gained a much better understanding about nutrition, so I thought I’d share my reasons for complete avoidance of Oatmeal.
There is something comforting about Oatmeal, particularly on a cold morning. However, NoOatmeal is a far better alternative. NoOatmeal is made using raw nuts & pepitas which you grind in your blender. You then lightly toast the nuts in a saucepan, with some cinnamon. Then you add coconut milk and an egg and stir until ready. How easy is that? Like Oatmeal, it is warm, but unlike Oatmeal I find it far more filling – and I know the ingredients are far better for me. The smell when the nuts are toasting is fantastic! I also like the fact that alone and unprepared I could eat & enjoy the individual ingredients in Noatmeal. Have you ever tried eating raw, unprepared Oats? Not so nice.
So, what’s not great about Oats?
When you eat Oats, they breakdown to glucose which causes an insulin spike in your blood – if you test your blood glucose an hour after eating Oatmeal, you’ll see a big increase (perhaps as high as 140). Regularly allowing your blood sugar levels to increase like is very damaging to your body (and can also lead to conditions like diabetes). Also soon after the spike in blood sugars, there will be a crash – which is the reason you’ll be hungry soon after eating Oatmeal. Nuts and eggs will keep your blood sugar levels constant, which is a far healthier state.
As well as the sugar issues, Oats contain high levels of lectins and phytic acid which are components that can cause intestinal imbalances and block nutrient absorption. Oats also have a high Omega 6 ratio, which in itself is very damaging. Some brands of Oatmeal also contain traces of gluten grains, which are very intolerable to a lot of people.
Whilst you can reduce the lectin and phytic acid content of oats by fermenting them – why not just make yourself some NoOatmeal instead? I tend to have NoOatmeal perhaps once a week, having saved myself time by preparing the ingredients the night before. Other typical breakfasts are scrambled eggs, omelettes, bacon and eggs – and often just last night’s dinner leftovers! Who said breakfast has to be traditional?
NoOatmeal Variations to Keep Things Interesting
Once you’ve discovered how easy and satisfying NoOatmeal can be, it’s fun to start playing with variations to suit your mood, season, or what’s in your pantry. One of the great benefits of this Paleo-friendly breakfast is how customisable it is.
Here are a few delicious flavour combinations to try:
- Vanilla almond: Add a dash of vanilla extract and top with slivered almonds and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
- Apple pie: Stir in grated green apple, nutmeg and cinnamon, and top with a dollop of coconut cream.
- Berry coconut: Fold in some frozen blueberries or raspberries during cooking and top with shredded coconut.
- Choc-nut: Add a teaspoon of raw cacao powder and top with chopped hazelnuts and a few cacao nibs for crunch.
These options are all warm, hearty, and nutrient-dense — ideal for those chilly mornings when you’d otherwise be tempted by a bowl of sugary oats.
Understanding Why Blood Sugar Matters
Blood sugar regulation is at the core of energy, mood, and long-term metabolic health. Meals like Oatmeal, which convert quickly to glucose, can wreak havoc on your blood sugar levels. That initial spike followed by a crash is what leaves many people reaching for snacks an hour or two after breakfast, setting up a pattern of energy dips and cravings for the rest of the day.
By starting your day with a balanced meal like NoOatmeal — rich in healthy fats, moderate protein and low in carbohydrates — you set yourself up for stable energy, mental clarity and reduced hunger throughout the day.
Why Fat and Protein Beat Carbs for Breakfast
The traditional idea of breakfast being carb-centric (think cereals, toast, pancakes and oats) is largely driven by food marketing and convenience, not nutrition. Our bodies actually thrive when we begin the day with fats and proteins, which signal satiety hormones, support cognitive function and help prevent blood sugar spikes.
NoOatmeal delivers just that. The nuts and seeds provide monounsaturated fats and magnesium, the egg contributes high-quality protein, and the coconut milk offers satiating medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) — all of which contribute to a steady, nourished start to the day.
Batch-Prepping Your NoOatmeal Base
If mornings are rushed, a little preparation goes a long way. You can pre-grind your nuts, pepitas and seeds and store the mix in an airtight jar in the fridge or freezer. This base can then be scooped out and cooked in just a few minutes with coconut milk and a whisked egg.
Consider this simple base mix:
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 1 cup raw walnuts
- ½ cup pepitas
- ¼ cup chia seeds
Blitz in a food processor until finely chopped (not powdery), then store ready to go. This makes weekday breakfasts as quick and easy as any instant cereal — but infinitely more nourishing.
Pairing NoOatmeal With Other Paleo Breakfast Ideas
If you’re feeding a family or enjoy a little variety, NoOatmeal pairs beautifully with other simple Paleo breakfasts. Serve alongside:
- A couple of boiled or poached eggs for extra protein
- A small bowl of fermented vegetables to support gut health
- Some sliced avocado drizzled with lemon and olive oil
This kind of diversity on the breakfast table is what makes Paleo sustainable and enjoyable. There’s no need for bland repetition — and definitely no need for grain-based carbs masquerading as health food.
What About Kids and NoOatmeal?
For parents, getting kids to eat a filling and nutrient-rich breakfast can be a challenge. NoOatmeal is a great solution — it has a porridge-like consistency that’s familiar and can be easily sweetened naturally with mashed banana, apple puree or a few crushed berries.
Let your child top their own bowl with coconut flakes, pumpkin seeds, or sliced strawberries. It’s a great way to get them involved and develop a taste for wholefoods early on.
NoOatmeal and the Gut-Brain Connection
Another advantage of skipping Oatmeal and other grain-heavy breakfasts is improved gut health. The lectins and phytic acid in oats can be irritating to the gut lining and may contribute to leaky gut syndrome in sensitive individuals. For those struggling with autoimmune conditions, brain fog or persistent bloating, eliminating grains can bring rapid and noticeable relief.
NoOatmeal supports the gut-brain axis by avoiding these problematic compounds and replacing them with nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods that nourish your digestive tract and provide clean fuel for your brain.
A Warming Winter Routine Without the Crash
The reason Oatmeal holds such appeal in winter is its warmth and texture. Fortunately, NoOatmeal offers the same comfort factor without the blood sugar rollercoaster or intestinal irritation.
Make it part of your morning ritual — take a few minutes to stand at the stove and stir your breakfast with intention. Enjoy the aroma of cinnamon and toasted nuts. Eat slowly, savouring each bite. These small moments of mindfulness help you start the day grounded and nourished, without relying on caffeine or sugar to get you through.
Final Thoughts: Why I’ll Never Go Back to Oats
Now that I’ve discovered NoOatmeal and truly understand the nutritional impact of my morning meal, I can’t imagine ever going back to grain-based breakfasts. The difference in energy, satiety and mental clarity is too significant to ignore.
If you're still eating Oatmeal because it feels like a healthy habit, I’d encourage you to try a Paleo alternative like NoOatmeal for just a week. Observe how you feel — not just in the moment, but in the hours that follow. You might be surprised just how different your day becomes with the right fuel in your bowl.
What’s your go-to NoOatmeal recipe? Let me know in the comments!
Glad the noatmeal worked for you 🙂
Thanks Erika! Itching to try your coconut butter recipe next!
I love the NoOatmeal. It keeps me feeling full much longer AND I don’t miss the cornflakes that were a staple part of my diet before Paleo.com.au converted my thinking about the food I eat. Thank you!
I am going to cook up another batch now 🙂
I would be interested in the types of nuts you used in this recipe ☺
This is great, I am always on the lookout for a substitute for oatmeal.
But don’t nuts contain photic acid too?
Yes, nuts do contain phytic acid also, and I have read that it is necessary to soak them. http://www.azurestandard.com/blog/2012/9/6/soak-or-not-soak-its-no-question-soak
When I have oatmeal or rather porridge, I am full for a whole 5 hours, while after bacon and eggs I quickly get hungry again. Plus, nuts give me – and many other people – really bad indigestion. Each to their own, I suppose. There’s just no one size fits all solution.
I know there are other things that may do what oatmeal can do but I have good results from it. The gluten-free oatmeal I buy from Trader Joe’s fills me up for about 5 hours and I get no blood sugar drops. Also my cholesterol levels are excellent. I have read of all the numerous health benefits from it such as: 1.The benefits from high fiber don’t stop with cancer prevention. A high fiber diet will stabilize blood sugar levels and won’t cause the mid-morning slumps, which comes from eating a lot of sugar and carbs in the morning, 2. Lowers cholesterol levels, 3.Reduces risk of high blood pressure, 4. Prevents arteries from hardening, 5. Loaded with anti-oxidants, 6. Prevents development of diabetes, 7. Boosts immune system, 8. Prevents weight gain, 9. Alternative for gluten free diet.
9 Awesome Health Benefits Of Oatmeal
By Marisa Ramiccio. May 7th 2016
For many kids, there can be no worse breakfast than oatmeal. They’ll eat pancakes and waffles and cereal, but they won’t touch oatmeal. But what many kids, and many adults, don’t realize is that just one bowl of oatmeal a day can keep the doctor away. Read on to learn more oatmeal health benefits.
Lowers Cholesterol
Oatmeal is a rich source of soluble fiber, which is also found in apples, pears, prunes and barley. Soluble fiber inhibits the body’s absorption of low-density-lipoprotein, or LDL, which is known as the bad cholesterol. One-and-a-half cups of oatmeal contains more than five grams of fiber, which is enough to reduce your cholesterol level.
For more information, read What Food to Eat to Lower Cholesterol.
Reduce Risk Of High Blood Pressure
Since oatmeal is high in fiber, which is heart-healthy, it offers many cardiovascular benefits, including a reduced risk of developing high blood pressure. It’s recommended that postmenopausal women, who tend to develop high blood pressure, should eat six servings of oatmeal or other whole grains on a weekly basis. Studies show that men can also reduce their risk of heart failure if they eat one bowl of whole grain cereal or oatmeal, per day.
Full Of Antioxidants
Oatmeal contains a special type of antioxidant called avenanthramide. Avenanthramides fight off free radicals that attack high-density lipoproteins, or HDL, which is known as the good cholesterol. They also protect LDL cholesterol from oxidizing from copper, which reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Prevents The Arteries From Hardening
Avenanthramides not only protect against heart disease, they also prevent the arteries from hardening. Those antioxidants suppress the production of molecules that allow monocytes to adhere to the walls of the arteries. Research has shown that postmenopausal women who eat six servings of whole grains a week reduced their risk of developing atherosclerosis, which is the build-up of plaque along the passageways of the arteries, and slowed the progression of stenosis, which causes the passageways of the arteries to narrow.
When paired with vitamin C, the cardiovascular benefits of oatmeal are enhanced, so drink a glass of orange juice or eat some citrus with your oatmeal.
Stabilizes Blood Sugar
The benefits from fiber don’t stop with cancer prevention. A high fiber diet will stabilize blood sugar levels and won’t cause the mid-morning slumps, which comes from eating a lot of sugar and carbs in the morning.
It Will Also Prevent The Development Of Diabetes
Aside from fiber, oatmeal is also a good source of magnesium, which regulates the body’s insulin and glucose levels. To up the ante, add milk to the oatmeal. The boost of low-fat dairy can also lower the risk for diabetes.
Boosts Immune System
Oatmeal contains a certain type of fiber called beta-glucan fiber. This fiber protects against heart disease and also revs up the immune system. It helps the immune cells seek out and repair areas or the body that may be fighting a bacterial infection.
Prevent Weight Gain
Eating food to not gain weight sounds like the perfect kind of diet, right? Because oatmeal is so rich in fiber, it will make you fuller for a longer period of time. Fiber will increase the viscosity of the stomach’s contents so that it will take longer to empty. Feeling full for a longer period of time will also prevent the need to snack on sugary or salty foods throughout the day. Research has linked a lower risk of obesity to children who regularly eat oatmeal.
Alternative for Gluten-free Diet
Adults and children who have celiac disease cannot eat gluten, but studies show that they can eat oatmeal although it contains a small amount of gluten.
Next Steps
Keep in mind that the best way to reap the benefits of oatmeal is through regular oatmeal and not the instant stuff, which is full of sugar and sodium. To add flavor without adding an onslaught of calories, mix in some fruit like apples, cranberries or blueberries or add a tablespoon of brown sugar for a touch of sweetness.
Sources
Meydani M. “Potential health benefits of avenanthramides of oats.” Nutrition Reviews, 67; 731-735. doi: 10.1111/j. 1753-4887.2009.00256.x. Accessed May 2014.
Brown L, Rosner B, Willett W, Sacks F. “Cholesterol-lowering effects of dietary fiber: a meta analysis.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/69/1/30.short. Accessed May 2014.
Lammert A, Kratzsch J, Selhorst J, Humpert PM, Bierhaus A, Birck R, Kusterer K, Hammes HP. “Clinical Benefit of a Short Term Dietary Oatmeal Intervention in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Severe Insulin Resistance
https://www.symptomfind.com/nutrition-supplements/health-benefits-of-oatmeal/
What about Nairn’s gluten free oatcakes?
Hi Esther, definitely better than many other oats, but they are still essentially oats, which meats they contain high levels of lectins and phytic acid.
This sounds delicious!! can someone point me in the direction of the recipe please 🙂
Erika, you recommend bacon but bacon is on the list of carcinogens!
Isn’t oats slow energy release food? I have eaten oats for many years and havd found they give me good energy during the day unlike wheat products which tend to bloat
I don’t understand… what is “NoOatmeal?” Is that an actual thing or brand? It’s consistently talked about in the article like it’s a specific substitute. Or are you just meaning to say, “don’t eat oatmeal?”