Jamba oatmeal vs. Starbucks oatmeal

March 5, 1:11 PMWeight Loss ExaminerGail Gedan Spencer

Previous Next

1 comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Weight Loss Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Full of soluble fiber and staying power, oatmeal is a great healthy breakfast. Way better than a big starchy bagel or a sugar-packed smoothie or Frappuccino.

So the chief purveyors of smoothies and Fraps, Jamba Juice and Starbucks, are hyping their oatmeal offerings with special deals. Right now, Jamba Juice is offering its cool gruel for a buck, while Starbucks has a tall latte 'n' oatmeal combo for $3.95 all day.

I've had a chance to try both oatmeals, so let's do a tale of the tape. And this is for the plain, unadorned oatmeal:

If you add all the toppings (nuts, dried fruit and brown sugar) to the Starbucks oatmeal, you'll add another 250 calories. The flavors at Jamba (Apple Cinnamon, Fresh Banana or Blueberry Blackberry) will add 100-110 calories.

The Jamba oatmeal has more calories and protein because it's prepared with soymilk; Starbucks uses water.

But how do they taste? Starbucks is basically instant oatmeal and tastes as such. Jamba is slow-cooked steel-cut oats made with soymilk. There's a big difference between the two, and my vote goes to Jamba. The oatmeal is heartier and creamier and tastes more substantial. And the Apple Cinnamon topping is yummy.

So my vote goes to Jamba.

But try 'em yourself. Starbucks' $3.95 deal doesn't need a coupon; Jamba's does, and you can print it out HERE.