Today’s health and fitness tip is one of the simplest of all - eat oatmeal! When I eat oatmeal, either for breakfast or as a mid-morning or afternoon snack, I lose weight. I’m sure there are many other benefits, such as the LDL-lowering properties which Quaker Oats and General Mills and others have been touting for years, but the bottom line is, this delicious little grain is high in fiber, expands in your stomach, and causes you to be less hungry.

Satiety, or the level of hunger satisfaction you feel, is enhanced with oatmeal. Bottom line, you’re eating a high-fiber grain with a protein profile, which causes you to feel full. Caution: don’t buy the pre-packaged little oatmeal packs because they’re laden with sugar. I simply do the following - mix a little water, soy milk or milk with 1/2 cup to a cup of oatmeal (1 cup is a lot) and nuke it for a minute, but add half a sliced banana and  some cinnamon to sweeten and flavor. Yummy and healthy!

As an alternative, add frozen or fresh blueberries (high in antioxidants) or raspberries, strawberries, or just about any other type of berry. Raisins and cinnamon also work extremely well. This adds variety. All of the side benefits notwithstanding, if you’re consistent with your oatmeal consumption, you will lose weight simply because you won’t be as hungry, and therefore will consume less.