This doesn’t involve hash browns, so I’m NOT going to like this! But here goes, in an effort to impart healthier ways to start the day, fast food businesses have joined forces in shoving oatmeal down our throats depleting the amount of calories we consume when we eat breakfast on the go.

By the end of this week, 14,000 American McDonald's locations will be serving flavored oatmeal. This is a product that the Company has been selling in its UK stores since 2005. Starbucks has also included oatmeal on its menu since 2008, which puts it at a two-year head start over the burger chain.

And for just $1.99 Americans may garnish their new oatmeal purchase with apples, raisins, cranberries and cream at McDonald's stores nationwide by mid-December.

The chain's existing oatmeal product Oatso Simple, which is only available in the U.K., the porridge's ingredient list contains only Quaker rolled oats and stabilizer.

The breakfast item is served with organic semi-skimmed milk and either strawberry jam or syrup.

Starbucks was the first American fast-food chain to market oatmeal and their variety also comes with dried fruits and nuts.

The coffee chain's British-style Perfect Porridge is available in four varieties: fully skimmed milk, semi-skimmed milk, full fat milk and soy, all served with dried fruit.

Here’s a breakdown of the caloric count:

Starbucks American-style Perfect Oatmeal: 140 calories, 2.5g fat, 4g fiber, 5g protein.

Starbucks UK-style Perfect Oatmeal: 293 calories, 3g fat, 4g fiber, 11g protein.

The optional dried fruit topping contains an additional 100 calories and 2g protein.

McDonald's (UK) Oatso Simple porridge: 195 calories, 5g fat, 3g fiber, 10g protein.

The jam contains an extra 50 calories and the syrup contains an extra 190 calories.

The new oatmeal to be served in the United States will contain 260 calories and 5g fiber.

News Source: Independent