(PCM) Whether your mornings are rushed or you just don’t feel like putting much effort into breakfast, a bowl of cereal is sometimes the best, or only, option. Cereal may not be the most nutritious breakfast, but depending on what you pour yourself (and how much of it), it’s better than a toaster strudel or worse, no breakfast at all!
Make it a healthy morning bowl by avoiding sugary kids’ cereals – Trix, Captain’ Crunch, Frosted Flakes – or any cereal with more than 10 grams of sugar. Don’t just go the cover of the box, either. Cereal manufacturers do everything they can to make a box look as healthy as possible, even when it’s loaded with sugar; granolas are one of the worst offenders. Always read the label, including the nutrition facts and ingredient list. Look for cereal that contain at least 3 grams of fiber (5 grams or more is considered “high-fiber”), less than 10 grams of sugar, and less than 200 milligrams (mg) of salt. Stick to whole grains and oats, and skip anything loaded with artificial ingredients.
A few good choices include: All-Bran, Fiber One, Cheerios, Kashi 7 Whole Grain Nuggets, Kashi GoLean (one of the most diet-friendly with 13 grams of protein and 10 grams fiber), and Mini-Wheats (unfrosted).
Don’t forget to pay attention to serving sizes! In general, most people do not measure out a 3/4 cup serving of cereal, pouring themselves, on average, about twice the recommended serving size.
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