Hey there, Vic here and I hope you are having a great day. To be honest, right now I’m a little pissed off and it’s not because my beloved golden retriever Coda ate the couch again. . . Allow me to explain in a brief rant.
Yesterday, someone emailed me to ask if they could eat oatmeal on the 31 Day Fat Loss Cure program. Now the question about oatmeal isn’t what got my ire up – this is actually a pretty common question. But this person wanted to know about a very specific “type” of oatmeal. They wanted to know about McDonald’s oatmeal.
I could only imagine what the Golden Arches did to their oatmeal. But I didn’t want to imagine. So I went to my neighborhood McDonald’s, ordered the oatmeal, sat down and ate it. Hey, at least they had free wi-fi. 
The top of my oatmeal was covered with various colors of dried fruit and I was fully expecting an all-too-sweet breakfast experience. I mixed up the concoction with my plastic spoon and then took a big mouthful of what McDonald’s calls “a bowl full of wholesome”. All-too-sweet was an understatement. This stuff could be handed out at Halloween, hidden in Easter baskets, or served at a nine-year-old’s birthday party and not a kid would complain.
Bowl full of wholesome? More like bowl full of sugar.
I could tell from the over-the-top sweetness that it was high in sugar. But I had to wonder. . . just how much sugar was in my sweet bowl of wholesome? 32 grams of sugar. That’s how much.
Yes, I added the red circle all by myself.
Maybe that number doesn’t really mean much to you, so let me show you by comparison just how high 32 grams of sugar really is. . .
As you can see from the screen shot below, a Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bar has 24 grams of sugar.
And you can see from this shot, that a serving of Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream has 25 grams of sugar.
So 32 grams is a hell of a lot of sugar.
But the problem that I have isn’t simply with the sugar content – it’s the passing off of high-sugar junk food as a “wholesome” breakfast choice when McDonald’s knows damn well that most people will make the assumption that it is “healthy”.
No one has any illusions about candy bars and ice cream – everyone knows they are high in sugar and a poor choice for fueling your body. But most people think that oatmeal is a healthy choice. And McDonald’s is preying on that perception with their vague but misleading “bowl full of wholesome” campaign.
I haven’t even mentioned the unpronounceable artificial ingredients (sodium stearoyl lactylate anyone?) that are included in the bowl full of wholesome. And that’s because I think the sugar content alone is reason enough to avoid McDonald’s oatmeal. Unless of course you run out of ice cream at your kid’s birthday party.
What do you think about the “bowl full of wholesome” from McDonalds? What are some healthy breakfast choices that you personally eat? Let me know in the comments below.
~ Vic
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wow – that is crazy – I am glad I have gotten away from the McDonalds food in the last couple of years – I did however slip about a month ago and I had a Big Mac – it was amazing at the moment, as if I was eating the most lovely thing ever, but an hour later my stomach started to complain and I felt really ill, and just plain let down by myself for having eaten it. Still 1 in 2 years is ok – I just need to make it 1 in 4 or 5 and then ever I think – McDonalds… yuk.
That is a lot of sugar though in something that they seem to be professing as a healthy option.
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Awesome job answering the question Vic! It would have been easy to dispense some quick answer from your high level of experience, but you did not take the easy route. You actually went out and purchased the product so that you could offer solid factual advice. Not many people will do that and I am grateful for the dedication you always show and the example it offers when it comes to facing our food addictions.
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Vic,
I notice that the majority of the sugar content comes from the cranberry raisin blend. Does that mean dried fruits are bad for us? Is that something to stay away from? I personally love cranberries, raisins or pomagranites mixed in my oatmeal. I’ve been purposely staying away from oatmeal on your 31 day plan. Although I sure do miss eating it in the morning.
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jesus sanchez Reply:
March 2nd, 2011 at 6:21 am
Hey Scott,
Great question. Honestly, it’s not the fruit in the dried fruit that can be bad. It’s the drying/preserving process, which is often sugar because of how cheep it is, as well as sulfer dioxide. If you’re going to have dried fruit, try to get unsulfured dried fruit, and go with simple sugar. An apple is a meal. Dried fruit is not a meal. It is a topping, or an added kick with a handful of nuts (nuts are a meal).
I hope that helps.
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Larry Reply:
March 3rd, 2011 at 4:00 am
Dried fruit is a processed food, Natural fruits are a great source of vitamins, minerals, and natural sweeteners and nature provides a balance of these nutrients.
Now De-Hydrating them will condense the natural sugars, you loose the balance of fluids and nutrients and you will tend too eat more due too a spike in insulin hormone, which increases your cravings
Good advise is staying with whole foods in moderation, so as too benefit from all of what nature has too offer. So try organic oatmeal with fresh fruit and organic natural sweeteners if you need them.
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Thank you Vic for speaking out against something that bothers me about breakfast: The Sugar we’re told it’s okay to consume. Just think, my Safeway ice-cream ( and I ain’t telling anyone to stop eating ice cream) has 16 grams of sugar at 150 calories. Fruit Loops has 110 calories with 25 grams of sugar. Then, they add a whopping 3 grams of fiber. Table sugar is an anti-nutrition, so we need EXTRA vatamines just to not become I’ll after consuming it. So, Fruit Loops adds vatamines.
Breakfast cereals, instant oatmeals, and instant shakes are a huge rip off in the face of God’s tested and true best breakfast: fruit.
You’re my boy Vic!
Blessings and have a wonderful day,
Jesus Sanchez
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Wat is skande dankie Vic, Mc D lieg vir die mense, en ek hoop die Suid Afrikaners in Suid Afrika sien dit ook!!!! Dis tyd dat handelaars ophou lieg oor wat werklik in hul produkte versteek is!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Vic: I’m not surprised at the carbs in McD’s oatmeal. The oatmeal by itself has plenty of carbs. My cardiologist tells me, “carbs are not your friend.” I limit mine to ~21g per day. The more carbs you consume, the less fat you will lose. Fat is like “money in the bank” to your metabolism: as long as you are paying in carbs, the fat stays in the bank. When you pay with excess carbs, your body converts it to fat and puts it in the bank (the bank is located at your waistline, with branches at the hips, pects and jowels.)
Carbs give quick energy. As long as you give carbs to your body it will not go to the “fat” bank. If you are going to expend all that energy working out, make your body draw on the fat reserves. THen you will lose weight!
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Vic
Have been doing your program for about a month now lost 13 lbs with only minor workout program due to a bad knee. Can’t wait for the next 30days when I can now go at it harder thanks. Getting rid of sugar and salt and reduced red meat has really worked out.
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I agree, great job answering the question! The personal research aside, the blog itself showed your dedication to this project . . . although the wonderful pic of a Hershey bar did get me craving one of those babies!!
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tammy Reply:
March 2nd, 2011 at 12:01 pm
Hi Isa,
Like Vic I love dark chocolate. My assistant just handed me a bar of “Green & Black’s” organic 85% Dark Chocolate bar. It’s only 8g of sugar for 12 pieces! I never eat 12 pieces in a serving. Sometimes when I get the sweet craving I break off a square and enjoy it in the afternoon with my Organic green hot tea. Yum!
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I just looked up the definition of “wholesome”.
whole·some/ˈhōlsəm/Adjective
1. Conducive to or suggestive of good health and physical well-being.
2. Conducive to or promoting moral well-being.
It’s quite clear how big M can get away with using this term. In 1), it is “suggestive” of good health and, in 2), if one believes they are eating a healthy choice then it promotes a moral well-being.
Therefore, we are only being morally mislead but not legally mislead!!
Thanks Vic,
Dean
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I love the McDonald’s Oatmeal and my daily weight always comes in better when I have it for breakfast. McDonald’s sells a “No Brown Sugar” Oatmeal that does not have any sugars in the Oatmeal. With the fruit, you still have 18 grams — or you can ask them to not put it in and have ZERO grams of sugar if you choose — Choices my friends. Make them carefully.
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John Reply:
March 5th, 2011 at 5:30 am
I’ll have to agree with Tony here. McDonald’s consumers ARE given choices of brown sugar or not. And the choice of fruit over refined sugars? I think we all know the answer to that one.
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Bought some myself a week or so ago and was disgusted by the nutritional information.
I was very sweet, sticky and pasty, with minimal fiber. And misleading.
I hear constantly from my co-workers and friends who are trying to lose weigth about ‘good’ grains, whole grains, etc. being “good” for you…which is why by 10 am they are starving and raiding the chocolate jar.
Can McDonald’s be reported to someone for a violation of ‘truth in advertising’?
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Hi Vic,
Thanks for covering this! McDonald’s is the worst place to eat anything! Remember the “Super Size Me” Doc? I just wish more parents looked at labels, understood labels and taught their kids about nutrition. We eat fresh miso soup (made with root veggies and organic miso) we add sea veggies in for minerals. We also eat steamed greens (Kale, Collard & Mustard greens). Sometimes we season with Braggs ACV and some Shoyu. This is our typical breakfast. I also believe Huffington Post covered what McD did to ruin this “wholesome” food two days ago.
Thanks again Vic!
T
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Thanks for the “field research” Vic ! Haven’t been to a McD in years, they’ve messed up and ruined everything from Burgers to Yogurt, and now even Oatmeal Porridge !! And really, what is McD’s point of adding sugar and assorted chemical processed crap to this “offering” which used to be simply Oatmeal Porridge with Milk and a real sliced Banana and/or Berries… If I’m going to have “cereal” its going to be Old Traditional Whole Oatmeal Porridge, or whole natural, unadulterated Grains… without sugar and additives, etc. “Old Fashioned”, Traditional Oatmeal, easy, nutritious, satisfying and without the McD and/or Food Processor “profit added” price tag… K
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I can only say avoid McDonald’s food altogether. I enjoy oatmeal with cinnamon and a bit of honey. I stay satified until lunch.
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Evie M. Reply:
March 2nd, 2011 at 10:22 am
We recently moved to Alaska, and one of the changes was to give up fast food, including McDonald’s. My family has all benefited from the change. I have to say I am dismayed, but not surprised by Vic’s results. Like you, Joe, I have enjoyed oatmeal, no frills – just oatmeal with walnuts every morning for a long time. As you say, it satisfies until lunchtime. It also offers natural benefits of fiber. EM
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Vic I must agree. I tried it once and never again. I had the maple and brown sugar and I suppose that made it worst then cranbery and apple.
Chris B
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Thats outragious 32 grams. Thats more than a 20 ounce of Pepsi. And for a diabetic like me it’s killer. Thanks for the heads up!! BTW I’m down 15 lbs in little over a month thanks to the dite advice and the 31 day fat loss program. I don’t exercise much, but just like Vic said lay off the heavy pasta, sugar and breads and I’m down two pants size and I lost 12 pounds in about 3 weeks. Now I can’t wait to go to the doctor every month to weigh in. I’m like the guy on the Progresso commercial, “just tell my wife to relax and enjoy the view”. Thanks Vic!
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English muffin toasted (I know, carbs) topped with poached (microwave in 90 seconds) egg beaters (I know, you recommend eating the whole egg but I have had heart surgery and don’t eat cholesterol I don’t have to), slice of fat free swiss cheese (too much sodium, but gotta eat something) and ‘mock’ hollandaise sauce- 1 TBLS corn starch, 1 TBSL olive oil, 3 oz low sodium chicken stock, 1 TBLS egg beaters, a few drops of lemon juice, and 1-2 TBLS Smart Balance butter spread for flavor.
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Awesome post Thanks My Favorite Breakfast red pepper onion garlic mushrooms and spinach saute’ in olive oil with two eggs UMMMM!!!
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Thanks, Vic. Mark Bittman covered this “oatmeal story” last week in the NY Times and it was good to see your take on it. I haven’t eaten in McDonald’s in over 7 years and wish others could resist the temptation.
Believe me, it will happen when you realize that the food you make for yourself is ALWAYS better than what a multi-national corporation will produce.
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Vic, thanks for the constant support in your blogs and emails. Loosing weight isn’t easy for someone in their 50s, so I appreciate encouragement. I don’t eat food at McDonald’s anymore, my family hasn’t eaten fast food since we moved to Ketchikan, AK. It is amazing how much of a change there is in our health since we came here and committed to cooking our meals from natural ingredients. The research you put in to answer the question about the new offering at McDonald’s is greatly appreciated.
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That’s outrageous even for McDonalds. They are really allowed to market that as wholesome in America?? In UK I think things are much stricter. I’ve been breakfasting on cubes of grilled pork, beef, chicken or fish (any leftovers from night before) with cherry tomatoes, spinach, cucumber and orange/red pepper (with a tiny bit of lemon juice and EVOO). I feel full up for hours. Then I snack on fruit until I can have a very similar meal in the evening.
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Yeah wow is right. I eat oatmeal on a daily basis, and love it. Now that I’ve joined your quest, I thought oatmeal was out. Is this not true? I dropped the fast food chains well over a year ago, and this just goes to show it was a good decision.
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Vic, I have started the 31 day program and lost 3 kgs in the first couple of days. I know a lot about diet but at 61 the incentive of the diet has got me going. No one thinks I am fat but I carry an extra 8kg (18lbs) that I can live without. I surf a short board almost every day and my doctor called out to me as I was running back up the hill from the surf yesterday that he was embarrassed to be driving while I was running. Well enough of that. For dessert I make up a mix of 100% whey isolate protein powder and cottage cheese and another of rolled oats and dried raisins. I pour near boiling water over the latter and then combine all 4 ingredients. The result is a delicious pudding able to be eaten at anytime of the day with a low GI, lots of energy and protein. The combination of the 4 ingredients compliment each other perfectly. Try it sometime and I am sure it would be fine to eat at breakfast. Keep up the good work.
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What else could we expect from Mc Do. As we say here in Québec,Canada ” C’est de la marde de clown” translation it’s clown’s shit. It’s to bad to see such a big compagny in the food industry be so succesful.
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The only oatmeal I eat is the stuff you cook at home as in the not instant type. I think as I work in a grocery store with a well known coffee kiosk that sells instant oatmeal I will have to check thier sugar content as well. Thanks for the info
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WOW!! Talk about Super-Size me!! Not for me.. Thanks for the info.
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I believe McDonalds salads are also not so healthy. Is this true?
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I always say that good advise is staying with whole foods in moderation, so as too benefit from all of what nature has too offer. So try organic oatmeal with fresh fruit and organic natural sweeteners if you need them. I found that avoiding fast, processed, and instant foods helps me too curb the cravings of overeating.
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I am so glad the only thing I eat at McDonalds are their burgers and not stuff like this.
We don’t have this in malaysia though, if we did I am sure many people would think its healthy, thanks for pointing this out, we should definitely tweet McDonalds
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We will never convince people that starches are as bad as sugar. The grain industry has brainwashed too many people for too long, that fat causes obesity. We know it doesn’t. Governments also brainwash some into believing that Global Warming is totally ‘our fault’ … Why? Just so they can tax us. Same goes with the grain industry. They have to have a market for all the crud they grow, so they convince us it’s good for us; wholesome! Whole Bull**** more like.. Further, If the Africans who at present are starving didn’t have to grow their food, there would be no famine, because they would be eating mostly meat. Only when the animals can’t find grass, is there real famine. Agriculture causes its own famine, because expecting people who live in high sun low rain areas to be reliant on crops, is asking for trouble. So they starve, while wild animals live in protected ‘cages’ roaming freely, preyed on only by the big cats etc. Doesn’t make any sense to me.
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