This isn’t the first time that McDonald’s has gone healthy on an unsuspecting public; it’s done salads and extra-lean burgers before. But this is the first time the Arches has offered a nutritious, low-calorie, low-fat, high-fiber meal that even self-destructive drive-thru fans can’t ruin with mayonnaise, oily sauces and greasy taco chips.

Oatmeal is pretty close to being nature’s perfect food — it’s really, really good for you — and McDonald’s is spooning out the real deal. Fruit & Maple Oatmeal is made with 100 percent natural whole-grain rolled oats. It won’t hurt you to eat healthy for once.

Here’s the blueprint: maple-flavored oatmeal mixed with brown sugar, topped with dried cranberries, California raisins, chunks of red and green apples and a little light cream. It’s served in a sturdy paper cup. Be careful — the oatmeal is made to order, and it’s served hot.

Total calories: 290. Fat grams: 4.5. Carbs: 57 grams. Dietary fiber: 5 grams. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: $1.99.

Because the cup o’ oatmeal is made just for you, you can ask for it without brown sugar, which takes away 30 calories, 8 grams of carbs and, unfortunately, a whole lot of flavor. It’s not worth the sacrifice. The Rolling Stones knew … “Brown sugar, how come you taste so good?” Bet you didn’t know they were talking about oatmeal.

Sticklers may say that 290 calories is an awful lot for oatmeal. But there’s brown sugar, a fair portion of fruit and a touch of cream to max out the flavor.

Gussied-up oatmeal is still a lot better for you than McDonald’s popular Sausage McMuffin with Egg, which packs 450 calories and 27 fat grams.

The “Maple” in “Fruit & Maple Oatmeal” means maple flavor, like most supermarket pancake syrups. It’s not pure maple syrup from a tree … unless you buy this oatmeal at McDonald’s restaurants in Vermont, where state law requires that they serve honest-to-goodness maple syrup.

Fruit & Maple Oatmeal is the first addition to McDonald’s permanent breakfast menu in two years. And it’s the rare breakfast item that McDonald’s will serve any time of day. I’m thinking McDonald’s is pretty proud of itself.

McDonald’s deserves a high-five. The fruit is tossed on top after the oatmeal is steeped fresh in the cup. The fruit has 130 percent of your minimum daily requirement of vitamin C. The oatmeal is two servings of whole grains. This oatmeal is so natural, so healthful, I had to look twice to make sure I was at McDonald’s.

One tip: When you first dig into the oatmeal, it may seem a little runny. Just give it a minute or two to firm up. And mix in the apples, raisins and cranberries so you get some fruit in every bite, all the way to the bottom.