The 1-Ingredient Upgrade for More Delicious Oatmeal

• TikTok hack suggests brewing tea directly into oatmeal for extra flavor and nutrition.
• Tea-infused oats boost taste while offering health perks like blood sugar support and immunity.
• Opt for plastic-free tea bags or loose-leaf tea to avoid microplastics in your morning bowl.

Enjoying a bowl of oatmeal in the morning can be a satisfying and nutritious way to start the day. Oats are a healthy option that will keep you full for longer, can aid healthy digestion and may help with weight maintenance (if that is your goal). At EatingWell, we’re always looking for ways to upgrade oatmeal, from our delicious overnight oat recipes to savory varieties And thanks to TikTok, we’re experimenting with a brand new ingredient category to level up our morning oats.

A recent social media trend has caught our eye, and our editors and dietitians are big fans. In fact, we don’t know how we didn’t think of this sooner. This hack to upgrade your bowl of oatmeal only takes one extra ingredient and provides ample flavor as well as unexpected nutritional value.

If you’re not sure what we’re talking about, the trend is simply adding your favorite bag of tea into your oatmeal while you’re pouring in the hot water. That way, the tea brews into the oatmeal, enhancing the depth of flavor in a healthy way. Whether it be Earl Grey, London fog or chai, there are so many ways to customize to your own flavor preferences with this new hack. Personally, I’m going to have to try this with English breakfast tea ASAP.

Many people on TikTok claim that this new trend has changed their oatmeal game. And it’s not just a fun fad like protein coffee or cottage cheese bowls. Dozens of comments come from those that insist they will never go back to eating “normal” oatmeal after trying this morning meal hack.

By steeping tea into your oatmeal, you’re also getting the benefits of your tea. Adding more tea into your routine can help with blood sugar regulation, reducing cancer risk and immune system support, among other benefits. We give a double thumbs up for including it in your bowl of oats! Top it off with your favorite fruit and nut butter for the ultimate breakfast.

One note: It might be worth investing in some plastic-free teabags, as tea can be a surprising source of microplastics in our diet. There are plenty of teabags made from organic cotton and plant-based hemp on the market, or consider buying loose-leaf tea and try a tea brewing tool that’s easy to wash and reuse.