4 packs instants oats or 1 big mac?

I just ate 4 packs of quakers instant oats (i know, not healthy but had craving even though just ate dinner).  This got me thinking i could have just had a big mac instead since both aount to 600 cals.  Was it better to eat the oats?  I could eat another couple of packets too but wont!

in my opinion it was much better to eat the oats; though they may have the same amount of calories im sure a big mac has more fat and its so much worse for your body, i dont really think of fast food as actual food as it doesnt really contain much goodness...be careful not to eat too many more oats though; a lot of my overeating has started on healthy food when i've thought "it's good for me, i can eat as much as i like..." dont fall into the trap! hope this helps

The oats are a better choice IMO! No mystery meat, no saturated fat, cholesterol, etc. The oatmeal contains soluble fiber to reduce cholesterol, blood glucose and triglycerides.

I have a suggestion though - try some steel cut oats. They take longer to cook (maybe 10 minutes in the microwave), but a bowl of heartier oatmeal will definitely fill you up. I bet you could *not* go through four portions easily.

Did you eat the oats because you were craving a big mac?

 

Just to warn about the sugar content in instant oatmeal, though. I don't know how much sugar is in each pack....and I'm sure they are all very process sugar.

 

But yes, I agree...oat is a better choice. I love Muesli, though. They are quite less sugar.

Okay, okay, okay ... oats are probably healthier for you ... though I haven't done research to announce that with certainty.  But, mmmmm .... a Big Mac!  I think a better question is to find out why you were needing to eat that much in the first place?  Are you getting enough calories?  Are you getting the proper nutrients (i.e. your body craving carbs because you are restricting them?) ... do you feel as though you have been denying yourself too much?  I think it is worth paying attention to for sure.  I think either is fine ... as long as neither become a habit and you figure out what is triggering your cravings.  I tend to eat whatever I want to eat ... as long as I am willing to compensate in the exercise department for the extra calories.  Lots of times I am not ... so I just tend to make healthier choices because I can eat more and exercise less ... hey what can I say ... I didn't get fat because I like to exercise?!?   Although that trend is changing and I find myself enjoying exercise more and more ...which means ... I can treat myself to the occassional yummy treat ... like 4 packets of oatmeal or a Big Mac!

i agree, the oats are probably the healthier choice.. but why did you crave so much right after dinner? have you been restricting them? cutting back on carbs? if you are, don't. no food or food group should be labeled as "bad" and restricted. eat a little bit of everything. maybe try some warm oatmeal with nuts for breakfast sometimes, or a couple of yummy homemade oatmeal raisin cookies for dessert. if you wanted the big mac, you could have just eaten half of it and saved the rest or shared it with someone. you might have been more satisfied!

Unless your oats were deep fried in oil I think that you probably made the healthier choice.

 

Original Post by jellobee:

if you wanted the big mac, you could have just eaten half of it and saved the rest or shared it with someone. you might have been more satisfied!

OR you could have made your healthier version at home, with ww bread, boca burgers, low fat cheese & dressings, and plenty of veggies. You could even afford a generous serving of oven fries for that calorie budget.

But to answer your initial question - out of the two, you made the healthier choice, but mainly because of the high sat fat & sodium count of the burger, otherwise it is a more balanced meal than just carbs, which are never satisfying by themselves and more often than not lead to binges.

Would you have been HAPPIER if you had allowed yourself to enjoy the same amount of calories in a tastier form?  Sure, the oatmeal is healthier (kind of, those packets have a lot of sugar added, and the oats are really processed).  And actually, the fat content in the big mac might have helped you to feel more satisfied.  If you would have really enjoyed the bigmac more, I say do that!  It's ok to treat yourself sometimes.   In fact, it may help you feel less deprived and more likely to stick with the program long-term.

I personally wouldn't choose a bigmac for a treat; I find them disgusting.  I would have gone for chocolate. 

I would say that next time you get a craving like that, drink a HUGE glass of water before you start eating that after-dinner snack.  That way maybe your stomach will feel full after 2 packs instead of 4.

Original Post by swirlything:

Would you have been HAPPIER if you had allowed yourself to enjoy the same amount of calories in a tastier form?  If you would have really enjoyed the bigmac more, I say do that! 

 That's really the bottom line. I find I overeat when I am not satisfied. For instance, I'll eat a whole can of garbanzo beans, popcorn, veggies, bananas, 12 grain cereal etc etc etc until I've eating way more calories and spent way more money than I would have just going out & getting some sushi. Doh!