6 Oatmeal Toppings That Are Making You Fat

Bacon. Although bacon may make everything better, it doesn't necessarily make everything healthier. Use turkey bacon instead when making this healthy savory oatmeal.

Cheese. Savory oatmeal is awesome, but once you add in a pound of cheese, the healthy factor is outweighed. Instead of going overboard, use protein-packed black beans and just a sprinkle of cheese over the top for a bowl of Cuban-style oatmeal.

Chocolate. Dark chocolate is actually very good for you (in small doses). But milk chocolate chips contain lots of sugar that you don't really need. Try adding some unsweetened cocoa powder or some dark chocolate shavings instead.

Dried Fruit. When fruit is dehydrated, the water is removed, which leaves you with a more nutritious but also more calorie-dense product, meaning more calories per handful that you add.

Extra Sugar. The average packet of microwavable sweetened oatmeal already contains 11 grams of sugar, so there's no need to add extra sweeteners (even natural ones like agave or maple syrup). Either start with plain oatmeal and add your own sweeteners or add flavor with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.

Nuts. Most nuts contain good-for-you fatty acids, but because they're so calorie-dense, adding more than handful of nuts will start adding extra calories you don't want.