Green Banana Oatmeal
It’s not as gross as it sounds! Promise!
I loved how well the frozen spinach worked in my Green Mango Smoothie yesterday, so I figured why not try it in a bowl of oats? I don’t get nearly enough veggies in my diet, so a little chopped spinach in my daily oats would be an easy, healthy addition.
I like creamy, sweet oats in the morning, and I knew that I didn’t want them tasting like spinach, so I mixed in an overripe banana to mask some of the bitterness. Overripe bananas tend to overpower a bowl of oats with their flavor, so I knew it would be a good bet.
Result: A delicious bowl of oats packed with vitamins K and A! 
Besides the appearance, my breakfast was just like a regular bowl of banana oats. I couldn’t taste the spinach at all! The texture was a little different, but not in a bad way– the chopped spinach actually seemed to make my oats smoother! I even sort of like the look of bright green spinach mixed into my oats. It looks nutritious and sort of cool! 
Approximate measurements:
- 1/2 cup dry oats
- 1/4 cup chopped frozen spinach, unfrozen
- 1/2 cup vanilla hemp milk
- 2 tbsp wheat bran
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 overripe banana, sliced
- 2 scoops of Maranatha peanut butter
Workout
Strength training: 30 minutes lower body workout
Cardio: 30 minutes elliptical
Question of the Day
What “gross” food(s) (to other people) do you enjoy eating?
Be sure to check back around lunchtime for a really great giveaway! You guys will definitely like it! 
Happy Thursday! 
Katherine — June 18, 2009 @ 7:50 am
Hm, I don’t know if it’s gross or not, but I really enjoy eating raw pasta, especially when I’m cooking it!
And if you ask my husband, my green smoothies every morning qualify as “gross”
Kim — June 18, 2009 @ 7:51 am
I bet that oatmeal was great!
I eat all kinds of stuff that my husband & kids think is gross. I think the one they comment on the most is all the stuff I mix into my oats (coconut, AB or PB, pumpkin or banana, nuts, raisins, etc). I haven’t tried spinach…that would definitely get their attention, huh? LOL!
healthy ashley — June 18, 2009 @ 8:10 am
Everyone in my office thinks wheatgrass and green smoothies are gross, but I love them!!
jenna — June 18, 2009 @ 8:11 am
I’ve started drinking green monsters this past week and my Boyfriend and daughter have been freaking out!!!! Some days refusing to kiss me goodbye! LOL mooohahahahah!! I told my daughter I was going to put some in her sippy cup without telling her and she freaked out!!
Yasmin — June 18, 2009 @ 8:12 am
YAH! You discovered my new addiction of adding spinach or kale to my oats in the morning. This is the greatest addition, yes it may look gross, but I feel so much healthier, and it keeps me full for hours. I can’t even taste the spinach!
Sues — June 18, 2009 @ 8:22 am
What a fabulous idea! I’m totally going to try this! I eat pretty much anything; there’s not much I think is “gross”! Especially if it’s good for me
Some of my friends think it’s weird I’m obsessed with seaweed salad, but if they tried it they would know how amazing it is!
Marie — June 18, 2009 @ 8:27 am
That’s what my breakfast looked like yesterday, but I had strawberries and barney butter on top. I used Dani Spies’ method (http://www.danispies.com/archives/breakfast/spinach_oats.php) for my oats though. Try blending!
Meghan — June 18, 2009 @ 8:31 am
Mmmm Spinach…. I always try to tell people that eating peanut butter, or any nut butter really, with carrots is OUT OF THIS WORLD! But I usually just get a puzzled glance in response
Meghan@traveleatlove — June 18, 2009 @ 8:56 am
I love green oatmeal and green smoothies, and my friends were making fun of my chia seeds and flax meal this weekend. Whatever, I need to feel good and have energy for everything I need to get done!
K — June 18, 2009 @ 8:58 am
That bowl looks pretty! Maybe I’m strange but I love the way it looks!! I eat relatively normal foods but I LOVE eating with my fingers – I’m a slob haha
Becci — June 18, 2009 @ 9:03 am
I don’t know if I could do the spinach+oats thing!
My husband thinks it’s very gross when I dip french fries in a Frosty at Wendy’s, but I love it!
Lauren — June 18, 2009 @ 9:07 am
I looooove lima beans!
Heather — June 18, 2009 @ 9:09 am
I love prunes! Everyone in my office thinks I am nuts and call me an old fart when I wip them out. I truely believe in their slogan as being “natures candy”.
I am excited for the lunch post!
Lauren — June 18, 2009 @ 9:14 am
I think spinach in oatmeal sounds like a fantastic idea. Hey, if we are all packing spinach and kale into our smoothies, what’s so different than putting it into a hot bowl of oats?!?!
Most people think that my foods are “gross.” I had one of my co-workers try tempeh the other day, and her immediate response was “ewww, gross!”
Can’t wait for lunch!
Jerilynne — June 18, 2009 @ 9:19 am
I’m so glad to hear the frozen spinach works just as well in smoothies and oatmeal!! I’ve only used fresh because I was afraid to try frozen but now I will – thanks Tina =).
Jocelyn — June 18, 2009 @ 9:19 am
alot of my *non blog* friends are disgusted by my green smoothies and breakfast over night oats..they say it looks like barf lol
Melissa @ For the Love of Health — June 18, 2009 @ 9:21 am
Hi Tina! Great bowl of oats! Glad it turned out for you!
I don’t know if this is gross or not but my father and I used to eat scallions (green onions) right out of the garden with some salt. Sensory overload! haha
Speaking of giveaways- check mine out! Some great Canadian goods
Rebeca — June 18, 2009 @ 9:24 am
Lol… I love spinach so I don’t mind it at all… Maybe if you blended the spinach+banana beforehand you’d end up with less of texture change? But then that’s extra stuff to wash, so maybe not lol.
Amanda — June 18, 2009 @ 9:25 am
I had tried fresh spinach in my oats and loved that I could not taste them! Any of my “green” foods seem weird to people, along with many of the vegetarian options (even though I’m not vegetarian). I like tempeh, almond milk, etc.
Danielle — June 18, 2009 @ 9:28 am
That oatmeal actually looks delicious. I’ll have to try that!
Recipes for creativity — June 18, 2009 @ 9:36 am
I’ve added orange veggies like carrots, sweet potato, and pumpkin to oats, but never spinach! Maybe I’ll try it.
What do I eat that’s gross to other people? Marinara sauce on broccoli. Freaks my friend Amy out. Don’t know why.
Goldie — June 18, 2009 @ 9:39 am
I am embarrassed to admit I love banana and cheese sandwiches!
I love your oats this morning – the mixture of colours looks really good.
Rose — June 18, 2009 @ 9:40 am
Interesting mix for sure!
Megan (The Runner's Kitchen) — June 18, 2009 @ 9:49 am
spinach, prunes, and tofu are some of my favorite foods! my boyfriend likes prunes too – we’re a funny pair
Anne K. — June 18, 2009 @ 9:53 am
Haha I think that actually looks good. Some people think it’s gross that I’ll take canned pumpkin and add some cinnamon/pumpkin pie spice, chocolate chips or cocoa powder, whipped cream, and sprinkles. I think it’s good, though! It’s like pumpkin pie without the crust.
Sam — June 18, 2009 @ 9:53 am
The first time I had a green smoothie, both my parents’ reactions were something along the lines of “that looks disgusting!” My dad refused to try a bit, but my mum had some and she actually liked it. I keep telling my dad you can’t actually taste the spinach, but he’s having none of it!
Tofu is anything thing my parents and friends think I’m mad for eating.
smallchangesaddup.wordpress.com
Meg — June 18, 2009 @ 9:55 am
I can’t believe you couldn’t taste the spinach! I may have to give this a try!
A — June 18, 2009 @ 9:56 am
I never would have thought of that!! But it looks kind of interesting! I’ll have to give it a shot!
-A
Shelby — June 18, 2009 @ 10:09 am
Green Monsters are my ‘gross’ food! No one else in this house will try one haha
vegancowgirl — June 18, 2009 @ 10:12 am
I don’t think I ever, even in my most experimental, would have thought of that one! I am just trying to imagine my partner’s face upon realizing that I slipped some spinach into his oatmeal! Love it. Thanks for the great idea.
Kiersten — June 18, 2009 @ 10:24 am
“Gross” or not, your breakfast sounds good to me!
I don’t think anything I eat is gross, although my family sure seems to think so. I’m a vegan and they are all omnivores, and some of my vegan food seems weird to them.
Nicole (dishin') — June 18, 2009 @ 10:26 am
Your oatmeal could now pass for any meal. I don’t think it looks gross, just an interesting combo.
Emily (Healthy Fit Mama) — June 18, 2009 @ 10:38 am
I don’t really eat anything that other people consider “gross.” That said, though, a lot of my family thinks that my eating behaviors are eccentric (eating breakfast every day! protein shakes! no white pasta! gasp!).
april — June 18, 2009 @ 10:52 am
Awesome breakfast! I love sneaking veggies into meals.
Emily — June 18, 2009 @ 11:02 am
That bowl of oats looks great!! A lot of people look at me strangely when I mix up my own salad dressings out to eat… vinegar and spicy mustard with a little salt and pepper! But it’s less calories than those creamy dressings and I think it tastes good!!
Pearl — June 18, 2009 @ 11:06 am
yum! that looks like green eggs and ham (minus the ham and add the oatmeal)
Help Meghan Run — June 18, 2009 @ 11:12 am
All my green things (smoothies, oats) and anything hemp really freaks people out.
HelpMeghanRun.com
Ada — June 18, 2009 @ 11:17 am
One of my favorite foods is grilled octopus, which some people find really gross.
BethT — June 18, 2009 @ 11:25 am
I love drinking milk with pizza, chinese food, steak, basically any meal, and my hubby thinks that is nasty.
I have to say, though, I don’t think I can ever sign on to the spinach oats. I’m fine with blending them into a smoothie, but seeing the chunks of spinach in hot oats makes me kinda want to retch!
Sarah — June 18, 2009 @ 11:27 am
A lot of people think I’m gross for doing the green smoothies, greek yogurt, hummus, falafel, you name it. My husband pretty much gags every time I go into the kitchen to cook something for myself, ha ha.
Brooke — June 18, 2009 @ 11:30 am
I really love sourkraut. Most people think it is disgusting and stinks. I like it on rueben sandwiches. Yum….
Emily (A Nutritionist Eats) — June 18, 2009 @ 11:32 am
Wow, that is taking the green smoothie to a whole new level!!
Meredith (Pursuing Balance) — June 18, 2009 @ 12:05 pm
amazing!
Christina — June 18, 2009 @ 12:14 pm
those oats actually look really appetizing!
Missy (Missy Maintains) — June 18, 2009 @ 12:15 pm
I really need to try your oats one day! I made a green monster and my boyfriend thought I was insane! He also thinks I’m gross when I try to make him eat tofu!
anon — June 18, 2009 @ 12:15 pm
That is the ugliest bowl of oats I have ever seen. How could you put that in your mouth?
Tina — June 18, 2009 @ 12:21 pm
@anon: It was easy!
Mel (www.sherunsbrooklyn.wordpress.com) — June 18, 2009 @ 12:36 pm
i really want to jump on this “green” bandwagon. Green smoothies, green oats (probably can thank heather at heatereatsalmond butter for that haha).
question for you Tina– I’m trying to quit my slpenda addiciton! I know you use stevia for your coffee. Does it taste different than sugar??
Jennifer — June 18, 2009 @ 12:50 pm
It’s not the spinach that troubles me, it’s the banana! I really detest the taste of banana mixed into recipes (but i do like banana bread and raw bananas…i’m weird i guess). I feel like the flavor is too overwhelming and masks other flavors.
I would say that most of the food us foodies/bloggers eat is considered weird by 90% of Americans. sad.
Sarah — June 18, 2009 @ 1:00 pm
people are always very curious about what my husband and i eat… nothing too weird, but even medjool dates seem odd to some of our friends!
Tina — June 18, 2009 @ 1:00 pm
@Mel (www.sherunsbrooklyn.wordpress.com): In my opinion, stevia is nasty. Have you tried agave nectar as a sweetener?
brandi — June 18, 2009 @ 1:29 pm
great idea! people think the green smoothies are gross, but there’s another girl in my office that drinks them, too, so that makes it a bit better.
rhodeygirl — June 18, 2009 @ 1:44 pm
to be honest I kind if agree with the anonymous poster! I am such a visual eater I don’t think I’d be able to do it even if I couldn’t taste the spinach. We should design a bowl with a cover and only a little slot for the spoon so you can’t see how green it is hahahaha! I WILL try it though, I believe you that you can’t taste it!
rhodeygirl — June 18, 2009 @ 1:47 pm
P.S. THE FARMER’S MARKET LOOKED AWESOME!
Royal — June 18, 2009 @ 1:49 pm
Tina today is international sushi day! Eat up! YUMO!
Mel (www.sherunsbrooklyn.wordpress.com) — June 18, 2009 @ 2:05 pm
interesting.. i haven’t. i wonder if i can find some at whole foods. i imagine it has similar nutritional stats to honey?
Thanks for your response!
Brooke — June 18, 2009 @ 2:10 pm
Tina,
Quick question: how did you get used to using agave in your coffee? Is it very different from sugar? I recently gave up diet coke as my caffeine choice and want to add coffee in, but don’t want to use my usual sugar. How did you do it? Thanks!
Oh yeah, and I’m proud of you for mixing spinach into your oats….it looks good (though spinach is admittedly not my favorite green veggie). Take care!
Tina — June 18, 2009 @ 2:12 pm
@Brooke: It didn’t really take getting used to– it’s sweet and natural tasting. You should try it!
Casey @ Double Scooped — June 18, 2009 @ 2:14 pm
My boyfriend thinks it’s disgusting when I put cottage cheese on my sandwiches. I say he would never really know unless he tried it. (That’s not happening anytime soon).
Maria — June 18, 2009 @ 2:25 pm
I think that might be too much for me in the morning:) Glad you tried it and liked it though! My dad thinks hummus tastes like dirt, but I love it!
Shannon (The Daily Balance) — June 18, 2009 @ 3:23 pm
I’m definitely going to have to try it — good idea using a super ripe banana to negate any of the spinachy flavor!
Marianne — June 18, 2009 @ 4:18 pm
I think I would totally blend up the oats to make them a uniform green, only because I think it would be so pretty that way. I do have some frozen spinach I should look at using up before I move, so I’m just have to try it out.
As for “gross” foods, the first thing that came to mind was calamari. My sister thinks it is the most repulsive thing, with the tentacles and all, so I make sure to taunt her with it when I have it
Lynn (The Actors Diet) — June 18, 2009 @ 4:42 pm
I eat greens in my oats too – except I make ‘em savory instead, with some parm cheese sprinkled in.
A lot of Chinese food I grew up with is considered “gross.” But to me, it’s homecooking!!!
caloriesdonthavefangs — June 18, 2009 @ 7:19 pm
I don’t know if this is gross, but lots of people find it a little odd. I love to break crunchy granola bars (like Nature Valley) into hot chocolate. Let it soak a little, and it makes a divine treat!
Thanks so much for the inspiration!
April — June 18, 2009 @ 8:45 pm
I like baking a protein cake with whey and water and then mashing up my sweet potatoes in it
Becky@ I Heart Running & Food — June 21, 2009 @ 5:33 pm
I top my egg whites and veggie spaghetti with cottage cheese…it may not look pretty but its really good!