Price: $1.89
Serving: 1 cup, 1.9 oz. plus water
Calories: 200
Fat: 4%, 2.5g
Sodium: 10%, 250mg
Protein: 5g
Carbs: 14%, 41g
Fiber: 15%, 4g

Quaker Express says: Each cup of Oatmeal Express is filled with the tantalizing flavor of fresh baked cinnamon rolls and the same heart healthy fiber found in Standard Quaker Oats.

Abi says: Fiber? Check. Tantalizing flavor of fresh baked cinnamon rolls? Not so much. I understand that companies need to jazz up their products with descriptions that use words like ‘tantalizing’, but I’d appreciate a little more honesty. Perhaps something like “Inspired by fresh baked cinnamon rolls”. I’d accept that. FILLED with the flavor? Well, it certainly is full of sugar. So much sugar that it would appeal strongly to small children who aren’t put off by porridge-y foods (Malt-o-Meal, Cream of Wheat, etc.)

This is the most cinnamon-y oatmeal I’ve ever consumed. In fact, while consuming the oatmeal I contemplated possible alterations that would allow Quaker to tone down the cinnamon and still call it tantalizing.

I first imagined the addition of a frosting packet to the package. Unfortunately, this would be the only flavor that would contain a frosting packet, thus requiring a change to what I am sure is a complicated manufacturing process. Second, would somewhat health-conscious adults (and parents) purchase a frosting-containing oatmeal? Okay, okay, there are thos jam ones out there, but at least you can halfway convince yourself that it is fruit. This would be frosting: a shelf-stable mixture of sugar and butter. Not a plus for people who are trying to be a bit healthy in the first place by consuming oatmeal.

Fortunately for consumers everywhere, it is not my job to figure out how to market oatmeal.

Price: $3/box, 35 cents/packet
Serving: 1 Packet,5.6 oz (incl. water)
Calories: 180
Fat: 3%
Sodium: 12%
Fiber: 13%

They say: Each 8-packet box of Cinnamon Pecan Quaker Oatmeal Supreme has the rich, delicious flavor of cinnamon and crunchy pecans. Quaker Oatmeal Supreme is simply the ultimate oatmeal taste experience!

Abi says: The ultimate oatmeal taste experience is actually when you get room service at a hotel and they bring you oatmeal and all of the little dishes of brown sugar, craisins, almonds, and cinnamon sugar. Plus, that tiny pitcher of cream. That is the ‘ultimate oatmeal experience.’ Unfortunately, that experience costs $10 plus a tip, whereas this experience is just 35 cents a packet.

Even though this oatmeal has way too much sugar, it is my favorite of the ‘Supremes’. I love the higher-quality oats (not a bunch of oat-dust) and the crunch of the pecan bits is awesome. Yum, pecans. But back to the sugar issue. The first ingredient is oats. The second is ’sugar’. The third is ‘brown sugar’. Better than a doughnut, but not the healthiest way to start your day.