The Unexpected Ingredient That Will Take Your Oatmeal Up A Notch

Oatmeal is one of the healthiest breakfast foods (or anytime foods) you can eat, but that's not the only perk; when it comes to all the ingredients you can mix it with, there are dozens of options. Adding fresh fruit like apples or berries is a popular topping choice to give your oatmeal some added flavor. To make it sweeter, you might opt for honey or maple syrup, and for some texture, nuts or seeds will do the trick.

All pretty common toppings, right? And they're all pretty healthy. Honey and fruit add vitamins and minerals, among other nutrients. Nuts and seeds offer the same, in addition to protein, healthy fats, and antioxidants. And if you're not overly concerned with keeping your oatmeal nutritious, you can sprinkle in some granulated sugar.

Oatmeal offers plenty of vitamins and minerals all by itself, including the essential macronutrient protein (via Healthline), but there's something else you can add that will take it up a notch. This unexpected ingredient adds more protein to your oatmeal, along with some flavor and texture.

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of protein per day is 0.8 grams for every 2.2 pounds of body weight for a healthy, sedentary adult. That equates to about 55 grams for a 150-pound person and 91 grams for a 250-pound person. But keep in mind, this is just the average. Some people require more protein, depending on their activity level, health, and fitness goals. If you find it difficult to hit this recommendation to meet your own needs, consider adding protein to the foods you already eat — like oatmeal.

One cup of cooked rolled oats packs about 3 grams of protein (via Healthline). While nuts and seeds help increase the amount, have you ever considered adding bacon? Yes, bacon. It certainly won't make the list of "most popular oatmeal toppings," but that doesn't mean it's not worth a try.

Throw a couple of strips of bacon in a pan until they get crispy. When they're done, wrap them in a napkin to absorb the oil and let them cool. Then cut them into small bits and sprinkle them over your oatmeal to give it a protein boost and add some crunchiness and flavor. Or, just lay the entire strips on the oatmeal with an egg on the side. If you love bacon, chances are good you'll like it on oatmeal.