Monday, January 24, 2011

Shape Up Series: Taste Testing McDonald’s Fruit and Maple Oatmeal

By: Finance Foodie

It’s Monday! And you know what that means – it’s time for my weekly weigh in! Now, I’ve gotten a few comments/criticisms about this Shape Up series on how short term diets are not the key to long term weight loss. Therefore, I feel the need to re-address the purpose of these posts: First, the 10 lbs I gain over the holidays is something that happens almost every year (bad on my part, but pretty much unavoidable with all the delicious homemade food at home), so this Shape Up is what I do EVERY WINTER so I can get back to 130lbs, the weight I keep during other ~300 days of the year. I've been 130lbs for about 5 years now and it’s the weight I feel most comfortable at (where I can eat healthy most of the time, but still indulge once in a while). Furthermore, even after I lose my 10lbs, I still plan to use/eat all the tips, recipes, and food options I've posted -- and I encourage you to do the same!
This is what 130 lbs looks like!
With that off my back, let's get on to the recap of last week!

Height: 5'1''
Goal Weight: 130lbs
Week 1: 140lbs (Starting Point)
Week 2: 138lbs
Week 3: 137lbs
Week 4: 136lbs (almost halfway there!)

Goal Body Fat: 20.0%
Week 1: 25.0%
Week 2: 24.0%
Week 3: 24.0%
Week 3: 23.5%

Exercise Plan (and actual results in red)
Day 1: 45 minutes on the elipitcal trainer, level 5 – Check!
Day 2: 30 minutes on the recumbent bicycle, level 7; 30 minutes weight training using 5lb to 8lb weights – Check!
Day 3: 45 minutes on the treadmill, speed 3.5, incline 2.0 – Check!
Day 4: 30 minutes on the recumbent bicycle, level 7; 30 minutes ExerciseTV’s Cardiokie with Billy Blanks Jr.; 30 minutes weight training using 5lb to 8lb weight – It was a snowy slushy cold mess outside, and I didn’t want to slip and break a hip to go to the gym. Thank God for ExerciseTV from On Demand and my hand weights at home. Plus I got to change my routine up a bit…Check!
Day 5: 30 minutes on the elipitcal trainer, level 5; 10 minutes on the recumbent bicycle, level 7 – Check!
Day 6 &7: Rest – An Easy Check!

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by the McDonald's team to taste test their new Fruit and Maple Oatmeal from the breakfast menu. Since I’ve had high cholesterol pretty much my entire life (d*mn genetics!), I try to eat oatmeal regularly for breakfast, due to its magical cholesterol reducing abilities and ease of preparation. Frankly, I was highly skeptical that McDonald's oatmeal would be palatable, but given that their recent healthier menu items (fruit smoothies, salads, yogurt parfaits, etc) have been actually tasty, I decided to give it chance on one frightfully chilly Boston morning.
WOW! Color me shocked because this $1.99 bowl of heart attack prevention tasted much better than my usual Instant Quaker Oats. The generous portion of fresh sliced apples, raisins, and dried cranberries really gave the oatmeal a nice flavor profile and meshed well with the hint of maple flavor. But the best thing? This bowl only contains 290 calories and kept me full and satisfied until lunch (full nutrition profile here)!

***Giveaway***
Congrats Frank (Grand Prize) and Lara @ GoodCookDoris (1st Prize)!

I totally applaud McDonald's push for healthier menu items (that still taste good), so I am offering a $25 gift card (I don't mind if you spend it on fries and a Big Mac, but I totally recommend you try the oatmeal/smoothies/healthy menu items!) and 2 coupons to try their new Fruit and Maple Oatmeal for two financefoodie.com readers.

Grand Prize: $25 Arch Card (the Mickey D's gift card) - one winner
1st Prize: 2 free product coupons for McDonald's Fruit and Maple Oatmeal - one winner

There are THREE ways to enter 
1. REQUIRED: In my comments section, tell me what is your favorite oatmeal topping? (Mine is fresh strawberries - maybe McDonald's can add that in their oatmeal too (Hint Hint)!). Also please include your email address so I can contact you if you win!
2. Follow Finance Foodie on Twitter (leave separate comment telling me this)
3. Reblog / Retweet this giveaway (leave separate comment telling me this)

Contest ends Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at 5pm EST. Winners will be chosen via random integer generator on random.org announced on the financefoodie.com site shortly afterwards that night! 

Disclosure: McDonald's provided me with the free product coupons to try the product and for the giveaway. I bought the Arch Card myself. 

315 comments:

1 – 200 of 315   Newer›   Newest»
Paige said...

My favorite oatmeal topping is rown sugar and bananas! Thanks for the chance to win! paigejagan at yahoo dot com

Stephanie @ The Cookie Battle said...

My favorite oatmeal topping by far is walnuts and pumpkin butter. Even when its not fall!

Stephanie @ The Cookie Battle said...

I already follow you on twitter :)

5webs said...

My favorite oatmeal topping is fried apples with cinnamon and toasted pecans.
Alicia Webster
5webs@comcast.net

Pat said...

Blueberries is my favorite oatmeal topping.
pkildow at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

My favorite oatmeal topping is raisins.

kport207 at gmail dot com

shezcrafti said...

My fave oatmeal topping is a splash of milk or cream. I like to keep it simple. :)

Davina said...

Congrats on the weight loss!
I like brown sugar on my oatmeal.

slb3334 said...

I like brown sugar on mine.

slb3334@gmail.com

Amber said...

My favorite oatmeal topping is blueberries and brown sugar!
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Amber said...

I follow you @financefoodie1 on Twitter - I'm @AmberGoo
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Amber said...

I tweeted: http://twitter.com/AmberGoo/status/29564395084324864
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I like bluberries on oatmeal :)

Anonymous said...

I enjoy apples but if possible with a little cinnamon.

rmc1ra(at)aol(dot)com

Unknown said...

I usually have Quaker old-fashion oatmeal every morning and I top it with dried cranberries and lots of cinnamon...Delicious!

Unknown said...

I'm following on Twitter @jazzchild32.

AubreyLaine said...

Favorite oatmeal topping:
blueberries
aubreyfick@yahoo.com

AubreyLaine said...

I like you on Twitter.
aubreyfick@yahoo.com

mlswin@triad.rr.com said...

bananas & a little cinnamon

mar said...

My favorite oatmeal topping is brown sugar!

LWons@HotMail.com

Lara @ GoodCookDoris said...

I love to add maple syrup! And sometimes a swirl of almond butter or peanut butter.

Lara @ GoodCookDoris said...

I follow on twitter!!

diesel51 said...

I love to put fresh cherries on top of the oatmeal. Nuts like chopped almonds or walnuts taste good too.

Anonymous said...

butter and brown sugar!rob,rf60527@att.net

Mysharona said...

Mine is raisins.

1agordon at live.com

Stephanie said...

fave topping is brown sugar and bananas
tvollowitz at aol dot com

curtileniea@gmail.com said...

Bananas is great topping on oatmeal.

Linda said...

I like to put slices of peaches on top of my oatmeal!
mintstatesportswear(at)juno(dot)com

mistee said...

My favorite oatmeal topping is raisins.

misteedawnw@ aol dot com

mistee said...

I follow you on Twitter. @misteedawnw

misteedawnw at aol dot com

Lentil said...

Okay, this probably isn't a "healthy diet solution", but I love milk chocolate chips on my oatmeal!

Anonymous said...

I would say pineapples for a topping

samsakara@twcny.rr.com

McKim said...

I love oatmeal with raisins and brown sugar.
kimkmc at yahoo.com

csue said...

I like bananas, but in it, not on it.

Crystal said...

I like blueberries and peach :)

cyclona66 at aol dot com

AlmaNYC said...

I like maple syrup and cinnamon on mine.

thischickwins at gmail dot com

Ashley H said...

My favorite oatmeal topping is brown sugar and cinnamon...probably not the healthiest but I love it!
ashleygatewood@mail.com

Ashley H said...

I follow you on twitter @shuggysmommy
ashleygatewood@mail.com

Ashley H said...

http://twitter.com/#!/shuggysmommy/status/29642510485684224
ashleygatewood@mail.com

Anonymous said...

I like brown sugar on my oatmeal
Thanks so much.
Cathy Truman
kbtruman@aol.com

Anonymous said...

My favorite oatmeal topping is dried tart cherries, with walnuts sprinkled on top.
writer61@yahoo.com

Frank said...

Cinnamon sugar is my favorite!

fwilliams77 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I like raisins, cinnamon, apple chunks and brown sugar on my oatmeal SSSOOO good :-O. Gonna Win Rivercool99@hotmail.com

Ashley said...

Brown sugar is my fav!

ag29ande@gmail.com

Liz said...

My favorite oatmeal toppings are peanut butter or maple syrup.

egenevieve at gmail dot com

Mami2jcn said...

I like banana topping on my oatmeal.

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

Liz said...

I follow you on twitter @bobthebunny25

egenevieve at gmail dot com

Mami2jcn said...

I follow you on Twitter (@mami2jcn)

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

Mami2jcn said...

tweet:

https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/29656372928843776

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

Erica H said...

My favorite topping is brown sugar!

erica.heft(at)gmail(dot)com

Charity S said...

My favorite oatmeal topping is nuts and berries.


charisscharity at yahoo dot com

Charity S said...

Follow Finance Foodie on Twitter.

ccboobooy


charisscharity at yahoo dot com

Charity S said...

tweet

http://twitter.com/ccboobooy/status/29658294490505217


charisscharity at yahoo dot com

BowieTip said...

Irish butter is the best topping for me.

Hope to win!

xxbowietipxx@gmail.com

David said...

Favorite oatmeal topping is Cinnamon

mckenziesmother@hotmail.com

David said...

follow you on twitter
mckenziesmommy3


mckenziesmother@hotmail.com

pattycake said...

like a mix of dried fruits in oatmeal

pattycake said...

follow you on twitter

pattycake said...

tweeted http://www.financefoodie.com/2011/01/shape-up-series-taste-testing-mcdonalds.html

Kiara said...

My favorite oatmeal topping is brown sugar.
austma7@aol.com

Cynthia24x7 said...

my fav topping is brown sugar. c(dot)hort@cox.net

Cynthia24x7 said...

following on twitter c(dot)hort@cox.net

Cynthia24x7 said...

tweeted http://twitter.com/Cynthia24x7/status/29692296786083840 c(dot)hort@cox.net

peg42 said...

My favorite is cinnamon and sliced peaches.
Thanks so much.
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

Mari said...

I like blueberries and stevia.

runningmatey at hotmail dot com

peg42 said...

I'm a Twitter follower (peg42)
Thanks again
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

Benita said...

My favorite oatmeal topping is sliced banana, sprinkled cinnamon and a drizzle of honey. Yum!

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

wallindeb said...

I love just a bit of cinnamon and a few raisins.

Lisa Weidknecht said...

Cinnamon Sugar and Raisins!

Anonymous said...

I just like plain brown sugar on my oatmeal...

Thank you, rachel70802002@yahoo.com

lkvoyer said...

Favorite oatmeal topping is brown sugar and craisins. LKVOYER at aol dot com

lkvoyer said...

Already following on Twitter @dancersmom69. LKVOYER at aol dot com

CAROLINA said...

My perfect bowl of oatmeal contains raisins, a sprinkling of cinnamon and swirls of honey.

cstironkat said...

My favorite topping is cinnamon and apples.

llinda29 said...

mine is raisons

susie said...

my favorite oatmeal topping is margarine and a little low-cal sugar. Love it!

swiener1[at]tampabay.rr.com

susie said...

twitter follower of FF as sherri2345.

swiener1[at]tampabay.rr.com

susie said...

retweeted yhttp://twitter.com/#!/financefoodie1our tweet here: as sherri2345.

swiener1[at]tampabay.rr.com

coliebear said...

I like honey in mine.
lenz.nicole(at)gmail(dot)com

Patricia N said...

I like to chop up dried fruit - apricots, raisins, cranberries, etc. and add milk and a little brown sugar.
PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

Patricia N said...

I like to chop up dried fruit - apricots, cranberries, raisins, etc. and add milk and brown sugar.
PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

Patricia N said...

I follow you on Twitter as pmernick1
PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

Patricia N said...

Tweet
http://twitter.com/pmernick1/status/29727573437059072
PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

Liz G. said...

Definitely strawberries. I'm wicked psyched to see that they offer one of my favorite breakfasts.

lizames2003 *at* yahoo dot com

sohamolina said...

I like rspberries as topping.

Lesley Mitchell said...

My favorite topping is raisins.
lesleymitchell52@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

i really like maple syrup,peaches and cinnamon!
tattgiff at centurytel dot net

Anonymous said...

My favorite oatmeal topping is pecans, if I have them. But always brown sugar and milk.
rosanova_family@comcast.net

Unknown said...

i follow u on twitter already!
tattgiff at centurytel dot net

Anonymous said...

Twitter follower
@rosanovafamily
rosanova_family@comcast.net

Anonymous said...

We tweeted:

@rosanovafamily
RT @financefoodie1 Finance Foodie Weekly weigh in + @McDonalds gift card #giveaway! http://tinyurl.com/6b8erkq

Unknown said...

just plain ole cinnamon and sugar--fruit if I have it around, thanks for the chance
kendraco22 at yahoo dot com

Katie said...

I love dried cherries and cinnamon.
katiekarr at gmail dot com

jlafount said...

Apple pieces

Daniel M said...

bananas! - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

JACLYN said...

Cut up bananas are my fav topping!

firstrosegrrl@yahoo.com

Sylvia said...

My favorite oatmeal topping is blueberries with a dash of honey

sylver_1982 at yahoo dot com

Mia J. said...

My favorite topping is brown sugar.

mia at jacobsracing dot com

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

looking great blueberries mrs.mommyyatgmail

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

FOLLOW TWITTER

dt said...

I like banana topping

Hotsnotty2 said...

I love either strawberries or blueberries, thanks!

Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

Hotsnotty2 said...

Following you on Twitter (@Hotsnotty2)

Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I like blueberries on oatmeal.

rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

freddie said...

My favorite oatmeal topping is raisins. dwelchert@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Follow you on Twitter; rhoneygee

rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

freddie said...

I follow you on Twitter/flipper211 dwelchert@yahoo.com

freddie said...

I tweeted giveaway. http://twitter.com/#!/flipper211/status/29794568778027008 dwelchert@yahoo.com

Debbie C said...

My favorite oatmeal topping is cinnamon, brown sugar and chopped pecans.

dchrisg3 @ gmail . com

Debbie C said...

Tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/DchrisG3/status/29806015197224960

dchrisg3 @ gmail . com

BethElderton said...

I love butter and brown sugar and raisins with my oatmeal.
bethelderton59@gmail dot com

Unknown said...

RIBEYE said...

I like cinnamon and brown sugar on my oatmeal.

pickelillys@gmail.com

Unknown said...

i love brown sugar and some kind of nut. walnut or almond slivers. oh and currants but they are impossible to find so sometimes i add banana or dried cranberry...

speaking of banana... your post made me hungry so i think i am going to grab one. yum!

ferriza2(at)yahoo(dot)com

zulugrid said...

I like brown sugar on my oatmeal

KGoodson said...

My favorite is just milk with sprinkle of Splenda. But did you know the maple flavoring at Mac Donalds is made from the bark of a bush and doesn't come from any real maple syrup?

Unknown said...

mine is blueberries

drea8685@yahoo.com

GALENA said...

DICED APPLES AN CINNAMON

Sarah said...

Raisins, brown sugar and cinnamon.

Sarah said...

Following on Twitter @sarohoian

Nicole C. said...

My favorite topping is brown sugar.

choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

Julie said...

My favorite is blueberries
thanks
aunteegem@yahoo.com

April said...

Blueberries are my fave topping.

teenytig@sbcglobal.net

Desmond said...

I prefer strawberries

dwarzel at hotmail.com

Bekah said...

My favorite topping is brown sugar and pecans.
kufb50 at gmail dot com

Golden Daily Scoop said...

My fav oatmeal topping is bananas! :)

Golden Daily Scoop said...

I follow you via twitter @casualdish

Julie Vineyard said...

I like to top mine with blackberries.

crystletellerday said...

i like putting bananas in my oatmeal crystletellerday@yahoo.com

Jolene said...

i like peanut butter and bananas in my oatmeal

brandy said...

my favorite topping is berries
bwalleshauser at yahoo dot com

Jessica said...

I love peaches and cream, yum!
jessibear19(at)aol(dot)com

Jessica said...

Twitter follower @Jessilyn82
jessibear19(at)aol(dot)com

Jessica said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/Jessilyn82/status/29937950460481537

jessibear19(at)aol(dot)com

Deb F. said...

My favorite oatmeal toppings are cinnamon and brown sugar.

debrich6 @ centurytel dot net

Karin said...

Sometimes a few sliced banana pieces, but usually just milk.

My grandma lived to be 95 and she ate oatmeal every morning for breakfast. So it's definitely a healthy food choice! (or maybe she just had good genes!) Perhaps a little of both.

karin56381 (at) gmail.com

kroch said...

I love cinnamon and apples in my oatmeal

Dancehottie1621@aol.com

kroch said...

I follow Finance Foodie on Twitter @Katier6678

Dancehottie1621@aol.com

Anonymous said...

My favorite Oatmeal topping is raisins and Brown Sugar

Anonymous said...

I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/eyzofblu63/status/29947692184506368

Toystory said...

I get to be #100 -- My favorite topping is honey and some nuts. I can't have fruit darn it.
1prizewinner at gmail dot com

Toystory said...

Following on twitter - twitter name - 1prizewinner
1prizewinner at gmail dot com

Jenn S. said...

My favorite oatmeal topping is cinnamon and a tiny bit of brown sugar.

Jenn S. said...

Following Finance Foodie on twitter: jashelep

jas8929 at gmail dot com

mogrill said...

Kinda wierd but mine is walnuts and chocolate chips.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net

Bonnie P said...

sliced peaches would be my favorite topping
bepoia(at)hotmail(dot)com

PAIGE said...

My favorite topping is brown sugar.
elysesw@aol.com

Tipper said...

I love brown sugar on my oatmeal.

sparkofutterance(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

just brown sugar is great

Andria said...

I like almonds and dried cranberries.

Tarah said...

I love cinnamon and strawberries

Tarah
tarah716[at]ymail.com

Tarah said...

I follow Follow Finance Foodie on Twitter

U/N - TarahM716

Tarah
tarah716[at]ymail.com

Tarah said...

I tweeted

http://twitter.com/#!/TarahM716/status/29973902096605185

Tarah
tarah716[at]ymail.com

Kristy Thiel said...

My favorite is a little milk, and some brown sugar! YUM! thanks for hosting!

bukaeyes said...

Apples and Cinnamon! Love that on Oatmeal!
bukaeyes@aol.com

bukaeyes said...

I follow you on Twitter @bukaeyes
bukaeyes@aol.com

kygirl said...

My favorite is cinnamon and brown sugar.
stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net

chazvgo said...

I like to add pecans and walnuts to oatmeal :)

chazvgo said...

Following on Twitter :)
chazvgo at gmail.com

Erica C. said...

I like slices of banana on mine oatmeal.

Maude Lynn said...

I like a little cinnamon!

kelli at pfrog dot net

Deb K said...

Brown Sugar is my favorite topping!

deb55106{at}gmail{dot}com

Deb K said...

I follow with Twitter~Deb55106

deb55106{at}gmail{dot}com

Kitty Cardero said...

I like my oatmeal with brown sugar and cinnamon.

Kitty Cardero said...

Follow on twitter.

Kitty Cardero said...

Tweeted http://twitter.com/kittycardero/status/30011268244967424

Melissa said...

My favorite oatmeal topping is fresh blueberries and lots of cinnamon!

xmeliss182x (at) yahoo (dot) com

Tammy said...

I like honey!

Heather said...

I like apples and raisins!

A Small Dose of Common Sense said...

I love to add peanut butter.

sksweeps said...

My current favorite oatmeal topping is homedried raisins, home canned spiced apple slices (think apple pie), flax seed and (bad) a splash of flavored creamer (think pumpkin pie spice, or french vanilla) and non fat milk.

sksweeps (at) earthlink (dot) net

Anonymous said...

I always add cinnamon and raisins to my oatmeal. You are looking great btw, keep it up, I know you'll make it.
kanderspina~at~yahoo~dot~com

John Stetson said...

I love raisins. They add just the right touch of sweetness.
jstetson2@cfl.rr.com

Anonymous said...

My favorite topping are raisons and sunflower seeds

zameta3 at gmail dot com

tallcapp said...

My favorite oatmeal topping is crushed walnuts.

Meredith said...

I love brown sugar on mine!

Anonymous said...

I like a small amount of brown sugar!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

Nancy said...

I like to stir a bit of peanut butter in my oatmeal.

Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

Lois said...

Hi and Happy Tuesday! :) And usually just bananas on the top. :)

Lois
OV_099@yahoo.com

buzzd said...

I like bananas and almonds

ohstac said...

I like sliced bananas on my oatmeal.
nrdunningATgmailDOTcom

ohstac said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/ohstac/status/30077781882703873
nrdunningATgmailDOTcom

Anonymous said...

I totally love sliced bananas in my oatmeal.

Anonymous said...

I follow Finance Foodie on Twitter
fairydancer35

Anonymous said...

tweeted
http://twitter.com/fairydancer35/status/30078997094207488

DEBIJOT said...

My favorite topping is brown sugar.

DEBIJOT said...

follow you on twitter - debijot

Cujo hmb said...

My favorite oatmeal topping is brown sugar.

hmb@fortaj.com

Cujo hmb said...

HMB99 follows you on twitter

hmb@fortaj.com

Cujo hmb said...

tweet -http://twitter.com/HMB99/status/30085654469681152

hmb@fortaj.com

Erin G said...

I like blueberries in mine

erroneous02(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

My fav topping is bananas.
shawnac68@hotmail.com

susan1215 said...

I like raisins and apples

s2s2 at comcast dot net

susan1215 said...

http://twitter.com/#!/susan1215/status/30098048239538176

bkeg said...

I love raisins & brown sugar.

fooks213@yahoo.com

Nance Meyer said...

I like apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar! YUM!

nancymeyer1 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

brown sugar
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com

Shanna said...

i love brown sugar ! =)

shanna.elizabeth@hotmail.com

Shanna said...

I follow you on twitter
@shannaeanderson

shanna.elizabeth@hotmail.com

beckytag said...

My favorite oatmeal topping is brown sugar!
beckytag618 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Would love to win!!!

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