Readers React to McDonald's Oatmeal False Advertising

Posted on Feb 25th 2011 10:00AM by Hilary Walke

Have you tried McDonald's "bowl full of wholesome" oatmeal? As its price tag is more than McDonald's own double cheeseburger and 10 times as expensive as real oatmeal, the $2.38 serving of fruit and maple oatmeal has officially been taken under investigation, and the results are less than pleasing.

McDonald's AP / M. Spencer Green

"The aspect one cannot argue is nutrition: Incredibly, the McDonald's product contains more sugar than a Snickers bar and only 10 fewer calories than a McDonald's cheeseburger or Egg McMuffin," New York Times food writer and author Mark Bittman said. "Even without the brown sugar, it has more calories than a McDonald's hamburger."

When it comes down to it, McDonald's oatmeal turns out to be a "bowl full of weight gain" instead. Have you been fooled by its false advertising?

Find out if our users have averted this mistake by using alternatives or if they are deciding to stick with McDonald's oatmeal.

Andrea H.
Yikes, I had no idea it was THAT bad!

Danielle K.
The joke was on me for trying it and now finding out it was actually like eating a burger or Snickers!

Aubrea M.
McDonald's should be ashamed of themselves! The one time in 3 years I get something from there, I think I'm getting something healthy. I should have known better! Thank you for letting us know!

Pat M.
No. I make my own at home, I then know what is in it!!

Lisa P.
The first time i saw that McDonald's ad for that oatmeal, I knew right away it wasnt healthy, hello, it's at McDonald's!!!!

Cynthia T.
Nope. I would rather sleep in an extra 15 minutes and make my own oatmeal at home than drive for my breakfast. (Lazy AND smart) lol.

Grace P.
Really? Oatmeal from a burger joint turns out to be unhealthy *gasp* what a shocker.

Let us know if you prefer McDonald's oatmeal or making your own at home in the comments section below.

170 Comment

Tags: ingredients, McDonalds, McDonalds oatmeal, oatmeal, rolled oats, sugar

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)

Chris 2-25-2011 @ 11:59AM

It is amazing how many people praised mcdonalds for having a healthier option on their menu, and recently I have seen two sources citing how unhealthy it is. It is always the responsibility of the consumer to make educated decisions and if you weren't aware of the content, it is not mcdonalds fault, they have complied with social and political demands to have labels on it's packages and menus stating caloric information. I wonder why you neglected to mention how most of the sugar content comes from the fruit toppings. Those fruit toppings can be ordered on the side, and you can top it however you chose. Don't blame mcdonalds for your own miseducation and your blatant need to have your hand held and meals ordered for you.

keith 2-27-2011 @ 2:50PM

If there were someone out there that didn't know this but the oatmeal that mcdonalds uses is the same package oatmeal that you can buy in a store. they just add the fruit to it.

cbyrd31777 2-27-2011 @ 2:58PM

That should not surprise Http://www.suesueandsue.com any one, Mcds is not known for their healthy food.

LISA 2-27-2011 @ 4:27PM

LIKE ANYONE REALLY CARES! I JUST LOVE HOW WE GORGE OURSELVES WITH GRABAGE DAY IN AND DAY OUT IN THIS COUNTRY TO THE POINT OF MORE THAN 50% OVERWEIGHT, THAN WE GET MAD AT MCDONALDS. JUST STOP ALREADY! YOU ARE FAT BECAUSE OF YOU, NOT MCDONALDS!

Al Schrader 2-27-2011 @ 4:53PM

We live in an age of technology. If I want breakfast, I have an automatic B&D Belgium waffle maker.
You pour the mix into it, the light blinks - a giant poofy, crispy steaming hot Belgium waffle comes out.
It's faster than drive through. The waffle costs less than the gas you burn in the drive through queue.
There are lots of other breakfast foods you can nuke, zap,
blink, whatever that are better and faster than McD.
The Quaker oats outmeal is delicious. You drizzle water into the cup, press a button on the micro, DING, it's hot & delicious. No gas, no garbled drive through speaker, no exhaust fumes, no $5 a gallon gas gone..It's a no brainer...Enjoy breakfast- Alfie

Holly 2-27-2011 @ 9:24PM

Anyone who pays over $2 for oatmeal from McDonald's is nuts. You can buy Quaker Instant Honey & Maple oatmeal for 25 cents a serving. All it takes is a couple of minutes in the microwave to boil hot water. By the time you drive to McDonald's and wait in the drive-thru line, you could have eaten a ton of oatmeal at home.

bjredmond64 2-28-2011 @ 12:58PM

does mcdougals have any "healthy" food on their menu?

S. Streetgrass 3-03-2011 @ 8:59AM

My first experience with the McDonalds oatmeal was with a free coupon. The oatmeal was a bit over rated and a little on the sweet side, but the fixings were great. I used the mixed red and green apple mixture package as my morning snack and the mixed raisins and cranberries for my afternoon snack. They where well portioned. Nothing beats homemade oatmeal.

Nicole 2-25-2011 @ 2:09PM

It has 290 calories, which is not too high for breakfast. It is high in sugar, I'll give you that. But it has 5 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein. You are also getting some vitamins from the fruits. It's not a terrible choice and it is MUCH better than a snickers bar.

Chip 2-25-2011 @ 5:49PM

Great points, Nicole. I enjoy the McDonald's environment and the coffee, and the Oatmeal gives me a reasonable option which is appreciated.

Arlene 2-27-2011 @ 2:56PM

You are right. It is not just about calories but it is about fiber, protien, and vitamins. Two things can have the same amount of calories. One will benefit you, one will be unhealthy. Thank you for your comment. People need to be aware of so much more than just calories. It is a better choice than a burger with a white bun. I choose it with out the brown sugar.

drew 2-27-2011 @ 3:19PM

Are you daffy? You need the protein not the carbohydrates to stay healthy. 5 grams of protein against the amount of sugar and calories is no where near what you need. This is nothing but junk, and here you are justifying it with your flawed education in nutrition.

cpm 2-28-2011 @ 12:27AM

Actually, nutrition only refers to those elements of the dish that supply the body's needs--the proteins, fiber, etc. That it ALSO contains a lot of sugar is an entirely different matter.

Each person needs to choose what is important to them. Diabetics should avoid this; those who have active jobs could even benefit from the sugar level. Why do the diet nazi's always want to deny others things that don't benefit themselves? For that matter, there are people who simply enjoy foods these purveyors of pubic palate disapprove of.

oken1 2-27-2011 @ 7:18PM

Drew....Uh, sorry, but your credentials in nutrition are what I question. You state that the body needs only protein? Dr Atkins believed that at one time also and ended up dying early of heart disease. Your body was made to process protein, carbs and fat, not just one of the above. For example, when we have patients who receive their nutrition IV we have to hang a bottle of fats every day. The problem with most diets is keeping variety and limiting calories. That is the problem with this monstrosity from Micky D's. As usual they have taken something healthy and have altered it to the point that it makes one gasp in horror.

tyrebitre 2-28-2011 @ 12:47AM

"I enjoy the McDonald's environment"

I keep re-reading this and it is still as incomprehensible as if she had written " I enjoy slamming my head in a car door.".

carmalina 2-25-2011 @ 2:13PM

Really??? Did you really think that McDonald's would really have ANYTHING that would be healthy, when we have all learned that their salad's aren't even healthy. Doesn't anyone read the nutrion labels that they now have posted in their restraunts, you all need to find out from a web site article????

Marie 2-25-2011 @ 2:17PM

nothing is better than a Snickers bar.

Ilene 2-25-2011 @ 3:01PM

I had the cereal when I was out of town. Tasted good. Had I known the calories and carbs were so high I would have passed it up

Beth 2-25-2011 @ 2:24PM

I think it is the best tasting item on the McDonald's menu, next to the Fries, it is about time something so tasty is on the menu, it is up to you, as a consumer to decide for yourself if you like it or not, or if it is healthy or not....come on people.....I would much rather have the oatmeal than the Big Mac? Calorie by Calorie, get real. Instead of condemning them for this, why don't you praise them for flavor. I love it !!!!

pes1599 2-25-2011 @ 7:11PM

o my god you cares ! i do i mean do you want your self to get fat and have muffin tops i mean what the f*ck were you think (probably NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!)