I really cannot believe that I am posting a McDonald's menu item as one of my favorite things. Usually this is a place that I give-in and go to once in a while for the kiddos. It is seldom that I go there for myself.
We had a road trip to take Thanksgiving weekend, and on our rush out the door that morning, I forgot to eat breakfast. Since Mickey D's is practically at the end of my driveway, that was my breakfast option. I noticed a sign for the new Fruit and Maple Oatmeal and decided to give it a try. Wow! I received a reasonably-sized portion of freshly made oatmeal with loads of freshly chopped apples, raisins, golden raisins, and dried cranberries. It smelled and tasted wonderful. There was fruit in every bite. I have ordered this three times since Thanksgiving to see if they were going to get skimpy with the fruit. I have consistently gotten hot, fresh oatmeal with lots of fruit.
Kudos to McDonald's for bringing healthy food to breakfast (or any time, I just ordered the oatmeal pictured at 5:30 PM). After the McGriddle, I had almost written them off, blech! (Come on...bacon, eggs and cheese sandwiched between two syrup-infused pancakes?) I wanted to give you the nutrition information, but it appears to be MIA. I looked on their website and asked at the store, but neither had it for this item. Based on my knowledge of sweetened instant oatmeal packets and the dried fruit, I'm going to guess it to be around 220 calories which is not bad. So, the next time your kids sweet-talk you into a Happy Meal, give the oatmeal a shot! Oh...and did I mention that it costs $1.99? Cheap food makes me happy :)
****This is an update as of May 15, 2011. I've had lots of questions about how differing variations on the oatmeal affect the nutritional value. Please understand that the original post on this was written over a year and a half ago while this product was being tested in my area for potential national coverage. I am personally glad that they decided to keep the oatmeal. But...they've tweaked it some since this post was written. I doubt that the nutritional facts here will mirror what you can find on the company website. For nutrition facts on the current product, please check out the McDonald's website. Thanks! ~Amy****
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I'm glad you posted this. I've been wondering if it was decent or not.
ReplyDeleteHi Amy, I work on the local public relations team for McDonald's in VA, DC, and Maryland, and noticed your blog post. We're so excited to hear that you enjoyed the Fruit & Maple Oatmeal! Since you asked about the nutritional information, I thought I would send it along to you and your readers. One complete serving of the product contains 260 calories and 4 grams of fat. If you would like more info, please feel free to contact me at jfraser@golinharris.com. We would also be happy to send you a $5 arch card to treat yourself and a friend to another cup of Oatmeal! I look forward to hearing from you! Best, Jaime Fraser, GolinHarris
ReplyDeleteMe too!!! Love it! Don't change a thing. Have bought it numerous times in VA.
ReplyDeleteHey thanks for posting this! I was searching on google to see if you could get the oatmeal all day or only during breakfast. Your post was the only answer I could find. I was also happy that the comment above provided the nutrition information because I couldn't find it anywhere. As soon as I read your post I immediately went to my McDonalds and got the fruit and maple oatmeal. It was delicious and there was a lot of fruit in it too :o) I am so happy that McDonalds added this to their menu because it is such a tasty, guilt free choice. I will definitely be back for more!
ReplyDeleteFirst, thanks for the info, Jamie! I will post an update with the nutrition info.
ReplyDeleteAnd, Glad I could give you the info you were looking for! Thanks for stopping by!
All I can say is that it's YUMMY! I hope that it's not a promotional menu item. Would like to see this one stick around. Thanks McDonald's! From a mom with 4 kids
ReplyDeleteJust an update...Maryland, DC and Virgina are a TEST MARKET for this item. If we respond well...it will stay around. Maybe even shoot an email to corporate McDonalds telling them how much you love it!
ReplyDeleteThe oatmeal is wonderful! Every workday starts out this way for me now. McDonald's, please keep it around. It is the best addition to your menu in YEARS!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE the fruit oatmeal! I eat this at least four times a week. Could you please provide the fiber content as well? Please keep this on your menu forever.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by! I'll send an email and see if I can find out about the fiber content, if I do I will post it here. I hope it stays around as well!
ReplyDeleteThank you for getting the information re the oatmeal. I had it the other day and it was delicious. I was afraid that because it was so good the caloric/fat content would be high. Good to know that McDonalds is offering something so good and so healthy.
ReplyDeleteI just posted the fiber content...find it at the top of my blog :)
ReplyDeleteI live in VA and I love this oatmeal. Truly a good breakfast out. The sweet and the tart apples. Hits the spot every time.
ReplyDeleteHi if you can will you post the amount of carbohydrates, and the sugar content. Because I have diabetes and I cant find it anywhere.
ReplyDeleteHi David,
ReplyDeleteI gave the full list of nutritional info in a later post,
http://masondixonmagnolia.blogspot.com/2010/01/fruit-and-maple-oatmealwe-have-answer.html
I hope this helps...I called McDonald's Corporate to find out. Thanks for stopping by!
I work at the Skyline Complex in Bailey's Crossroads, VA. They have a McD's there (#11827). I am on Weight Watchers and went to try the new Fruit & Oatmeal. It took them FOREVER to make it, and then when it looked plain in the bag, I asked where the fruit was...They said, "It's in there." Well, sure enough, as soon as I get back to my desk, I see no apples, whatsoever. I suppose I shouldn't have expected more, as this store has consistent problems with service. Anyway, the moral is, make sure your McD's gives you the FRESH FRUIT. Now I don't even know how to count my points for this...
ReplyDeleteHello! Visiting from www.thencameisaiah.com. For the second day in a row, I popped by McD's for their oatmeal. I have to admit, I was inherently suspicious of it but pleasantly surprised lol. I am three months pregnant and have been craving oatmeal daily but I am often in such a rush to get to work (and I have a two year old), so I usually find an alternative. I googled it and your blog popped up! Isn't it DE-LISH!
ReplyDeleteDITTO at what Tiara Faith said!!! I was trying to find the nutritional info...
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, everyone! Consumer feedback is what will keep this item on the menu!
ReplyDeleteTo the anonymous commenter from Jan, 22...I suggest that you contact the management for that store, or the region. If you consistently have bad service, I'm sure they will want to know about it. As a previous business manager I can tell you that a respectfully submitted complaint is always appreciated. Customer satisfaction is the foundation of a business.
I happen to be addicted to this oatmeal. Eating it is a highlight of my day. Since McD came out with it, I have gotten to know the drive-through staff on a first name basis. Its awesome!!!
ReplyDelete"I'll have a large diet coke and an oatmeal please"
"Oh hi, Angie! That will be $3.86, please pull through!"
:-)
Love thier oatmeal =) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI've had the oatmeal twice now and it tastes really great and I love having a healthy alternative for breakfast at MDs. Is the caloric count for the oatmeal with the brown sugar added already, or is it less so that I can add splenda instead to bring down the calories? Thanks
ReplyDeleteHi Jeannie,
ReplyDeleteThe calorie count is with everything :)
Does anyone know the count without the brown sugar. I ordered it that way with a packet of Splenda.
ReplyDeleteI ordered the new oatmeal with fruit after hearing from friends how good it is. The McDonalds I went to (in Framingham, MA on the Pike) took forever to make it -- I watched two staff members mix in hot water, then dump in two packets - apples and raisins, I presume. It was great - hot and flavorable with crunchy apples and sweet raisins in every bite. So, here's the dilemma: how do I order it to make it more healthy - without the cream that I see listed separately on the nutrional page - and where can I get it without the brown sugar?
ReplyDelete