Healthiest Cereal for Breakfast

Tap to Read ➤ Ningthoujam Sandhyarani

Selecting the healthiest cereal for breakfast is easier said than done, as most of the products are made from refined grains and contain high amounts of sugar.

Cereal grains lead the list of food items for yielding food energy. They are staple foods that make the base for a healthy diet. However, the refining process of these food grains reduces their nutrient value. While some products are loaded with more than seven grams fiber, others are refined, containing negligible amount of dietary fiber.

Another issue is the high percentage of sugar in the products. Thus, selecting the healthiest cereal for breakfast is quite a confusing task for health-conscious people. The options should be low in sugar, high in dietary fiber, and contain negligible amount of fats.

Breakfast

As per nutritionists, everyone should have a healthy breakfast enriched with cereals to start off for the day. In fact, the type of food grain an individual consumes on a daily basis can tell a lot about his/her overall health. Every brand in the market promises to give adequate nutrients and claims several health benefits.

Following are useful guidelines for selecting the right one.

Select Products with Whole Grains

The main criterion for including a cereal in the healthiest category is the presence of high percentage of fiber. Such high fiber products are made from whole grains (not from refined grains). One serving of whole grain is a must for keeping the digestive problems at bay.

Recent studies have found out the benefits of whole grains in reducing the risk of heart disease and blood glucose problems.

Examine the Product Labels

While purchasing, go through the ingredients and the nutrient value mentioned in the label. Some products mention sugar amount at the last so that it remains unnoticeable to the buyer. A healthy brand should contain minimal sugar and no saturated fats or trans fats. So, look for brands that maintain these attributes, and at the same time, taste good.

Select Products Containing Low Sugar

While focusing on the taste, many manufacturers tend to formulate the products with sweetening agents and artificial flavors. Of course, you can buy foodstuff for kids that are formulated with dried berries, bananas, apples, flaxseed, pecans, and soy. But, make sure that you opt for the ones, which are low in sugar and high on fiber content.

Check for Weight Loss

A healthy breakfast focuses on the fact that cereals give a full feeling after consuming a minimal serving. Also, whole grains rich in fiber make a person feel satiated for a longer period. However, do not believe in the products that claim to be the healthiest option for weight loss. Rather, select the high fiber ones made from whole grains.

Products with Health Claims

There are brands that claim numerous health benefits, such as reducing risk of heart disease and diabetics. But how far the claims are true, depends on the ingredients used in the product.

Products that contain a large amount of whole grains, oats, psyllium, and bran are good for heart patients. For people diagnosed with high blood sugar problems, choose particular ones for diabetics.

List of Nutritious Cereals

Keeping the previous tips in mind, select the best cereals for breakfast. If you love to have plain oatmeal, it is one of the healthiest options. You can have it with milk and fresh fruits. Other healthy, whole-grain products include barley, brown rice, rolled oats, and whole wheat flour. Following is the list of these healthy foods that are good for you.

All-Bran Bran Buds Kashi GoLean Kellogg's Complete Oat Bran Flakes Barbara's Shredded Spoonfuls Post's Grape Nuts Kellogg's Complete Oat Bran Flakes Product 19 Cheerios Health Valley Organic Oat Bran Flakes General Mills' Total Whole Grain

Special K Protein Plus Fiber One Ezekial 4:9 Organic Golden Flax Shredded Wheat Golden Grahms French Toast Crunch Cinnamon Toast Crunch Nutri-Grain Multi-Grain Chex

In case you prefer bars for getting instant energy, make a point to choose the most nutritious ones. The key tips for selecting them are low calories from sugar, 3-5 gram fiber, more than 5 gram protein, and low fat content.

Some of the healthiest cereal bars are Kashi Go Lean, Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars, Quaker Oatmeal Breakfast Squares, Power Bar Harvest, Clif bars, and Odwalla Bars.

While cereals are prefect for breakfast and snacks, some of them may yield more calories than your need. Hence, if you are watching your calorie intake, consider reducing the serving amount.

Disclaimer : This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.