As the New Year unfolds, a common aspiration for many of us is to cultivate a healthier lifestyle. My personal journey has involved a renewed commitment to daily walks, a conscious effort to integrate more fruits and vegetables into my meals, and the non-negotiable ritual of a wholesome breakfast. A cornerstone of this approach is prioritizing fiber-rich foods and ensuring adequate hydration—aiming for at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily—which helps me feel satiated and energized. However, maintaining enthusiasm for healthy eating can be a challenge when faced with repetitive meals. The monotony of the same breakfasts and lunches can quickly lead to boredom.

To combat this, I’ve been channeling my creativity in the kitchen, experimenting with innovative twists on classic breakfast foods and vibrant smoothies. My goal is to craft recipes that not only nourish your body but also excite your palate, making healthy eating a joy rather than a chore. These culinary explorations promise to brighten your mornings and keep your tummy happily full.

Discover the Power of Sunsweet Products for a Healthier You

My excitement was palpable when Sunsweet® extended an invitation to develop a recipe featuring their exceptional products. Having been a long-time admirer and consumer of Sunsweet, receiving a box of their finest right at my doorstep felt like a special treat. Sunsweet has consistently been a brand I trust for quality and nutrition, and I was eager to explore new ways to incorporate their wholesome offerings into my healthy eating routine.

Key Sunsweet Products to Elevate Your Wellness:

• PlumSmart®Light: This delightful juice is crafted from a unique variety of fresh, succulent plums. It boasts a mere 60 calories and 15g of carbohydrates per serving, making it an excellent choice for those mindful of their intake. More than just a low-calorie option, PlumSmart Light is a good source of fiber, actively supporting your internal fitness and helping you maintain digestive health. Its naturally sweet and tangy flavor makes it a refreshing standalone drink or a superb base for smoothies.
• Amaz!n™Prunes: Often referred to as nature’s perfect way to feel good, these little gems are packed with nutrition and delicious taste. Each serving of Amaz!n Prunes provides a good source of fiber for just 100 calories. Beyond their fiber content, prunes have a low glycemic index, which is crucial for sustained energy and prolonged feelings of fullness, helping to curb unnecessary snacking. They offer a potent boost of nutrition and fiber, whether enjoyed as a quick snack or integrated into your favorite recipes, adding a natural sweetness and chewy texture.
• Amaz!n™Diced Prunes: For ultimate convenience and versatility, these diced prunes are a fantastic addition to any healthy kitchen. Grab a handful for a nutritious, bite-sized snack. Their pre-cut form makes them incredibly easy to toss into your morning cereal, mix into a bowl of warm oatmeal, sprinkle over salads for a hint of sweetness, or incorporate into various baking recipes. One serving of Amaz!n™Diced Prunes provides a good source of fiber and only 100 calories, offering all the benefits of whole prunes in a more accessible format.

I’ve always had a fondness for dried fruit, enjoying it straight from the bag, baked into cookies, or mixed into a hearty trail mix. However, this collaboration inspired me to think “outside the box” and devise fresh, exciting ways to utilize these wholesome dried delights. My aim was to create innovative dishes that showcase their natural flavors and nutritional benefits in unexpected forms.

Our Featured Recipe: Sunsweet Steel Cut Oatmeal with Plums and Pears

My preference for steel-cut oats over regular rolled oats stems from their distinct texture and nutty flavor, which I find incredibly satisfying. Steel-cut oats are less processed, retaining more of their natural goodness and providing a chewier, heartier experience. This time, I decided to craft a comforting bowl of warm oatmeal, making it even more nutritious by incorporating Sunsweet®Plum Amazins. To further enhance its fiber content and introduce delightful layers of flavor, I also added fresh pears and crunchy almonds. This combination creates a breakfast that is not only incredibly delicious but also provides a substantial “fiber punch,” keeping you feeling full and energetic for hours.

The Amazing Benefits of Prunes: Backed by Science

Beyond their delicious taste and natural sweetness, Sunsweet prunes offer a remarkable array of health benefits. Research conducted by Sunsweet® and other scientific bodies highlights several positive effects derived from the unique nutrient profile of prunes:

• Bone Health: Prunes are increasingly recognized for their potential to support healthy bones. Dr. Bahram H. Arjmandi of Florida State University has famously stated, “Dried plums (prunes) are the most bone-friendly fruit that I have seen in decades. They are nature’s solution to maintaining good bone health.” Dr. Arjmandi’s hypothesis suggests that the multitude of compounds and essential nutrients found in prunes—including vitamin K, potassium, copper, and boron—work synergistically to produce this positive effect. Ongoing research continues to uncover more about the powerful connection between prunes and bone density, making them an excellent dietary choice for long-term skeletal health.
• Potassium: Prunes are a rich source of potassium, an essential mineral vital for numerous bodily functions. Adequate potassium intake is known to help prevent hypertension (high blood pressure) and reduce the risk of stroke. Furthermore, potassium plays a critical role in supporting cellular energy by regulating fluid balance within the body, facilitating nerve impulses, and enabling proper muscle contraction. This regulation contributes to overall vitality and sustained energy levels throughout the day.
• Fiber: Incorporating foods rich in fiber, like prunes, into your diet is a strategic way to replace less healthy fats and refined sweets. Fiber is instrumental in promoting satiety, meaning it helps you feel fuller for longer, which can aid in weight management. More importantly, a high-fiber diet is strongly linked to improved cardiovascular health, helping to maintain healthy cholesterol levels and supporting the overall function of your heart.
• Regularity and Digestive Health: The substantial fiber content in prunes is perhaps their most well-known benefit. A diet abundant in fiber contributes significantly to maintaining a consistent and healthy digestive tract. This regularity is crucial for overall digestive wellness, supporting a balanced gut microbiome and ensuring the efficient elimination of waste. By promoting smooth and predictable digestion, prunes can greatly enhance your comfort and overall gut health.

It’s truly remarkable how much tastiness comes with so many profound health benefits!

I prepared this delightful steel-cut oatmeal on a relaxed Saturday morning, a perfect occasion to share it with my husband. He has always been a great admirer of hot cereals, so he was particularly enthusiastic to be my official taste tester. His verdict? A resounding two thumbs up! We enjoyed a hearty breakfast, and the leftovers proved to be just as popular; he warmed a portion with a splash of milk later that evening for a satisfying and healthy bedtime snack.

I wholeheartedly encourage you to prepare a batch of this incredibly delicious steel-cut oatmeal, crafted with the #FeelGoodFruit from Sunsweet®. It’s an ideal meal to have on hand for a nutritious breakfast, or anytime your body craves a wholesome and satisfying healthy snack. It truly is a versatile and beneficial addition to any healthy eating plan.

LIKE THIS RECIPE?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and
leave a comment below the recipe!

Steel Cut Oatmeal with Plums and Pears

Warm steel cut oats filled with dried plums and fresh pears. Approximately 156 calories and 3.2 grams of fiber for a 1 cup serving.

Print Recipe

Cook Time: 25 mins

Additional Time: 5 mins

Total Time: 30 mins

Cuisine: Breakfast

Keyword: Steel Cut Oatmeal with Plums and Pears

Servings: 4 – 1 cup servings

Calories: 338 kcal

Author: Michaela Kenkel

Ingredients

• 1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil
• 1 cup Steel Cut Oats
• 2 Cups Water
• 1 Cup Skim Milk
• 2 Tablespoons raw honey
• pinch salt
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup Sunsweet® Plum Amazins Dried Plums
• 1 Medium sized pear (cored and skin removed, diced)
• 4 Tablespoons almonds (roughly chopped)

Instructions

1. In a medium pot on the stove top, melt coconut oil. Add oats and stir to coat and cook for about 3 minutes.
2. Add milk, water, honey and salt. and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add pears and Sunsweet Amazin Plums, cover and continue simmering for another 10 minutes.
3. Turn off heat, Stir in Almond extract. Cover and let stand 5 minutes.
4. To serve top with a sprinkling of almonds and Sunsweet Amazin Plums.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

• Serving: 1
• Calories: 338 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 54g
• Protein: 10g
• Fat: 11g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g
• Cholesterol: 1mg
• Sodium: 110mg
• Fiber: 7g
• Sugar: 22g

Beyond Oatmeal: The Perfect Plum Smoothie

My creative journey with Sunsweet didn’t stop at oatmeal. I was so inspired by these fantastic products that I decided to venture into smoothie creation. I had never previously considered using dried fruit in a smoothie recipe, but the results were surprisingly excellent! Dried prunes lend a natural sweetness and a beautiful thickness to smoothies, eliminating the need for added sugars while boosting fiber and nutrient content. It was an exciting discovery, proving just how versatile Sunsweet products are.

Here’s a link to the recipe for the Perfect Plum Smoothie I developed, featuring Sunsweet®PlumSmart®Light Juice and Amaz!n™Prunes. This vibrant smoothie is a quick and delicious way to fuel your day, packed with all the goodness of plums.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.