Fast food chain McDonald's is attempting to lure its customers with healthier recipes on its breakfast menu in the US, it has been reported.

Flavoured oatmeal is being trialled in a number of its outlets across the US to see just how keen people are to substitute their McMuffin for something with fewer calories.

The product can be purchased either with apples, raisins, cranberries and cream, following in the footsteps of its decision to offer Oatso Simple in the UK.

British customers are able to try out the breakfast product with organic semi-skimmed milk and either strawberry jam or syrup.

One consumer told the LA Times: "I think the company's image will be helped by this. People will have the impression that McDonald's cares about them."

In recent days, research from Yale University’s Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity found that when confronted with the choice, children will not always opt for the breakfast cereal containing the most sugar.