When I use to do fitness competitions, my trainer would have me "carb load" but it was also when I was water depleting so plain dry oats, with Stevia in it with nothing to drink with it. At 1st it seemed very odd, but I came to like it & every once in a while, I'll still have a serving that way. I also like to eat it uncooked, with just water in it. Oatmeal is my favorite food. I absolutely love "almost frozen" oatmeal on a hot summer day. (If only a hot summer day will ever decide to happen.) haven't reached 70 yet this yr.