Apple Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal: Quaker Vs. Sturm's Organic

Instant oatmeal is a great alternative to cold cereal for breakfast: it tastes pretty good, and has proven health benefits for those of us looking to control our cholesterol levels and help us manage our weight. It's a stick-to-you-guts kind of food that doesn't have you wanting more an hour later.

Until recently, it was pretty obvious which company ruled the shelving space when it came to instant oatmeal. Quaker brand seemed to offer consumers every variety and flavor they could possibly hope for: Peaches and Cream, Cinnamon and Spice, Maple and Brown Sugar, and Raisin, Date, and Walnut, among many others.

I've tried most of the Quaker flavors over the past couple of years, but Apples and Cinnamon is the one I prefer most. Then, a few weeks ago, I noticed a new brand of instant oatmeal on the shelf: Sturm's Organic.

I don't know much about the organic movement in America, but I have observed an increasing amount of organic products in the local mega-store. Mostly relegated to fruits and vegetables thusfar, I was surprised to see an organic product in the breakfast aisle, even more surprised when I saw that it came in an Apple Cinnamon flavor.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded Sturm's Apple Cinnamon instant oatmeal its seal of approval, clearly displayed on the front of the box. On the other hand, boxes of Quaker Apples and Cinnamon have the Smart Choice stamp displayed on them.

I'm not sure whether organic food is automatically considered healthy, or if there's a set limit for how many stamps of approval a single product can display, but I'll just assume that eating Sturm's Organic instant oatmeal is better than sausage for now.

Here's what I do know: you get more from a packet of Sturm's than from Quaker, which may account for the difference in total calories. But Sturm's is well worth it.