Puffs…..crisps……shredded…. Sometimes, there are just too many choices when it comes to choosing a healthy cereal. And of course there's also a huge misconception; healthy = bland. Nothing could be further from the truth. Picking healthy a healthy, tasty cereal for breakfast (or anytime) requires just a few basic ingredients:
*Whole grain, barley, oats, bran, rye products
*No more than 7 grams of sugar
*No corn syrup
*No hydrogenated oils
*At least 5 grams of fiber
*Organic (is usually reliable but not always)
*Always add your own "fresh fruit" – most cereals have hydrated fruit with added sugar(s)
*Avoid "multi-grain" labels
*Avoid added fruits and nuts (usually contain added sugar, hydrogenated oils – learn to add your own and use only fresh fruit, roasted unsalted nuts)
My personal preference for cereal brands include:
Kashi
– but only the ones that contain whole grains (some do not)
Total – usually, an overall good choice
Natures Plus Flax – found this one at Fresh Market (also makes for a good trail mix additive)
Quaker 100% Natural Granola – you can add your own fruit (and know that it's not filled with refined sugar)
Post – Raisin Bran whole grain (but make sure it doesn't use the word "enriched" in the product description)
General Mills – Chex, Wheat (whole grains only)
Always read the label (look for words like enriched/bleached, trans or hydrogenated oils and avoid these products) to make sure you're not getting products that appear to be healthy. Never assume that organic labels represent organic standards. Many brands say "organic" but have not been inspected by the USDA for organic standards, so beware!
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