Oat-ternatives?

September 3, 2007 9:14 AM

I do a lot of hiking and camping, but I HATE HATE HATE oatmeal. What are some alternatives that hit the sweet spot of price/convenience/nutrition/pack weight?

Because seriously, I'd rather eat cold barf than another bowl of the stuff. Can't abide it.

posted by sonofslim to food & drink (26 comments total)

Cream of Wheat or how about just dry cereal?
posted by Sassyfras at 9:21 AM on September 3, 2007

I have to confess to a bizarre fondness for dehydrated eggs. Ton's of protein.

I too hate oatmeal, but love Cream of Wheat. Is that an option?
posted by sourwookie at 9:21 AM on September 3, 2007

Couscous.
posted by Abiezer at 9:22 AM on September 3, 2007

I get tired of oatmeal too because of its mess. Try: couscous; instant potatoes; grits; polenta or cornmeal based meals; rice-pudding; beans & rice; granola; and cereal with dried milk mixed in (just add water).

Oatmeal is awesome because it comes in so many flavor varieties and just needs hot water. To mimic this, use these foods as a base, add ingredients (like dried fruit) and prepackage it prior to leaving on the trip. I put everything in ziplock bags and Sharpie instructions on the bag (i.e. add 1 cup hot water). You'll probably have to look up some recipes and do a little experimentation.

I also tend to grab up individual serving fast food condiments (like prepackaged margarine) whenever I can and add them to the ziplock bag as well (because I can't take grits without honey and butter). Milk powder, onion powders, cheese powders, cinnamon, dried fruits: these are your friends.
posted by barchan at 9:33 AM on September 3, 2007

COUSCOUS is what you want!!!!! Just came back from 3 days in the carson iceberg wilderness yesterday and we ate couscous for breakfast. Raisins, brown sugar, milk powder, nuts, other dried fruits, whatever you want it will go well with couscous.
Some hardcore backpackers eat couscous for every meal!!!
posted by gavtaylor at 9:39 AM on September 3, 2007

Ramen or soba (the latter is much healthier).
posted by randomstriker at 9:42 AM on September 3, 2007

There are also a ton of grain based cereals, both hot and cold, out there, such as quinoa & barley porridge, farina, and millet.

If it's texture in oatmeal you don't like, you can also try frying the oatmeal. It takes less prep time than boiling water and expands your flavor possibilities. I love fried oatmeal when I need a hot meal but it's not really chilly outside, I'm in an environment where I don't want to waste any water, or I'm lazy and don't want a big mess to clean up.
posted by barchan at 9:54 AM on September 3, 2007

Bacon cookies? They're surprisingly good.
posted by MsMolly at 10:07 AM on September 3, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]

"LÄRABAR is a delicious blend of unsweetened fruits, nuts and spices - energy in its purest form. Made from 100% whole food, each flavor contains no more than six ingredients....Uncooked and Unprocessed."

I get mine at Whole Foods.
posted by ericb at 10:25 AM on September 3, 2007

hard boiled eggs
flour tortillas for eating and cleanup of bowls (think edable paper towels)
posted by bottlebrushtree at 10:26 AM on September 3, 2007

Instant hummus + water is my camping mainstay.
posted by ourobouros at 10:46 AM on September 3, 2007

If you can abide oatmeal cookies, make some before you go. Cut down on the sugar and add lots of dried fruit, nuts, peanut butter, chocolate or carob chips, or whatever else you fancy. Obviously, use your personal judgment as to what combinations of things you would like. You can also make them with triticale or rye flakes instead of oatmeal, if you want to avoid oatmeal entirely.
posted by yohko at 10:56 AM on September 3, 2007

Seconding Lara Bars. I've lived on them happily for a week of camping. Costco carries them in cases of three flavors.
posted by moonlet at 11:32 AM on September 3, 2007

nthing Lara Bars. They're a lifesaver.

How about quinoa? Very high protein content, complete amino acids, cooks up very quickly- and YUMMY.

Bump it up with some hemp protein, dried fruit, cinnamon- you're in business.
posted by solongxenon at 11:44 AM on September 3, 2007

I'm not an oatmeal fan but I love me some Wheatena.
posted by majick at 1:05 PM on September 3, 2007

I dislike the texture of cooked oatmeal but I love oats in granola
posted by francesca too at 1:22 PM on September 3, 2007

Dehydrated lentil curry soup from the bulk bin.
posted by salvia at 1:29 PM on September 3, 2007

Bread. Nuts. Berries. Water. What else do you need?
posted by amtho at 2:50 PM on September 3, 2007

Quinoa by itself can be really bland and unpalatable, but if you cook it in liquids that are flavorful, and put stuff in it like dried fruits and such, it is a great substitute for oatmeal. You can buy powdered apple juice/cider and cook it in water mixed with that--that's my personal favorite. I've never tried hot cocoa, but I bet it would be tasty!
posted by SixteenTons at 3:22 PM on September 3, 2007

I've always found good quality low/no salt corn chips to be very sustaining for hikes -- munchable along the trail when wanted, or with salsa or beans or many other things at stopping time. If the bags are pricked to let out air, the chips can be squashed a lot without getting inedible. Must be quality chips, though, not the commercialized abominations.
posted by anadem at 7:49 PM on September 3, 2007

"you can also try frying the oatmeal" writes barchan.

Umm, sounds tasty. How does one fry it?
posted by anadem at 7:56 PM on September 3, 2007

Is Red River cereal just Canadian? Or is it still too oatmealy? Black beans with mexican spices? Gorp/trail mix?
posted by kch at 9:07 PM on September 3, 2007

Rice for breakfast! Add some condensed/powdered milk, and it's not too bad.
posted by anthill at 9:18 PM on September 3, 2007

I can't believe no one's brought up Clif Bars. I take them on just about every outing I go on, and eat them regularly besides. Try a few flavors and then buy in bulk to bring their price down.
posted by andythebean at 11:29 PM on September 3, 2007

Half cup instant rice+half cup black bean powder. Cover with boiling water. Add salsa and crushed corn chips. Cover with foil for 5 minutes.
posted by Chuckles McLaughy du Haha, the depressed clown at 11:33 AM on September 4, 2007

God damn that sounds good, Chuckles.
posted by anthill at 2:27 PM on September 4, 2007