McDonald's dishes up oatmeal

Oak Brook-based McDonald's kicks off the new year with the national introduction of its new Fruit & Maple Oatmeal available for customers at breakfast and throughout the entire day.

The oatmeal is McDonald's first new breakfast offering since 2008.

"With McDonald's Fruit & Maple Oatmeal, we're offering a portable, affordable and balanced breakfast solution to help customers start their day right," said Senior Director of Nutrition Cindy Goody. "McDonald's wants to help make it easier and more inviting for our guests to eat more whole grains and fruits, and Fruit & Maple Oatmeal is an effective way to help our customers integrate these important food groups into their daily diets."

The oatmeal is prepared with 100 percent natural whole grain oats, light cream and brown sugar and topped with diced, fresh red and green apples, tangy dried cranberries and two types of raisins. Every bowl is freshly prepared upon request: customers may order it with brown sugar or without brown sugar for those who prefer a less sweetened option.

The oatmeal has 290 calories per serving with 32 grams of 100 percent natural whole grain oats and about 25 percent of an individual's daily recommendations for fruit .