YONKERS, N.Y., Oct. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- When it comes to oatmeal, the longer it takes to cook, the better it tastes, according to new Ratings from Consumer Reports. Quaker's unflavored, longer-cooking Steel Cut and Old Fashioned varieties topped the list of Consumer Reports' latest taste-tests of 14 oatmeals. The full report and ratings are featured in the November issue of the magazine and online at http://www.ConsumerReports.org.

Both Quaker's Steel Cut (cooks in 25-30 minutes) and Quaker's Old Fashioned (cooks in 5 minutes) varieties scored Very Good in tests for their chewy texture and toasted nutty grain flavor. Quaker's Quick-1 Minute instant oatmeal also ranked Very Good in tests. The brand's unflavored instant variety scored good, with some raw-oat flavor. Prices for Quaker's unflavored oatmeals range from $0.19 to $0.32 per serving (about 1 ounce to almost 2 ounces).

Nine of 10 flavored instant oatmeals were judged Good by Consumer Reports, however in some cases, their sweetness/brown sugar flavors dominated the oats and several were mushy. Among the top-scoring varieties were Target's Market Pantry Maple & Brown Sugar -- a bargain at $0.17 per packet; Whole Foods' 365 Organic Maple Spice ($0.42 per packet); and Wal-Mart's Great Value Real Maple & Brown Sugar ($0.19 per packet).

Still a healthy choice

Oatmeal generally makes for a healthful breakfast. The unflavored, longer-cooking oatmeals have slightly fewer calories than some flavored instants, no sodium and no added sugar.

Most of the flavored instants scored good for nutrition, but many have sodium and lots of sugar. Quaker's Express Golden Brown Sugar -- the priciest oatmeal tested at about $1.21 a packet -- has 200 calories per serving. Quaker's Weight Control Maple & Brown Sugar may have less sugar and more fiber than other flavored instants, but it has more sodium than the rest and as many calories as most. Plus, it rated fair in tests, due to its artificial-sweetener and slight bitter flavors and mushy texture.

For a flavored instant that's especially low in sodium and high in fiber, Kashi's Heart to Heart Golden Brown Maple is a good choice. Its nutrition value was judged very good by Consumer Reports, with 160 calories and 5 grams of fiber.

The full report and Ratings are featured in the November issue of Consumer Reports, on sale October 7. It's also available on http://www.ConsumerReports.org.

NOVEMBER 2008

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SOURCE Consumer Reports