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Cereal It’s one of the quickest and easiest meals you can make for breakfast. And depending on the type you buy, it can also be one of the cheapest meals. However, when it comes to the nutritional value of cereals, this breakfast option can be hit or miss.
For one thing, tons of popular cereal options are packed with refined carbohydrates, added sugar and preservatives, and contain very little protein or fiber. Consuming too much added sugar can lead to immediate blood sugar spikes and, over time, can contribute to things like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. On the contrary, many companies have made a more concerted effort to produce healthier grains that have a more balanced nutritional value. These cereals use more natural ingredients and tend to have less added sugar, more protein, and more fiber.
But which of these healthy cereal options has the best combination of ingredients to start your day off right? To help you decide which healthier cereals can help you make the most of breakfast as your most important meal of the day, we consulted members of our board of medical experts comprised of esteemed registered dietitians for their councils.
Here are the 5 cereals made with the highest quality ingredients that our dietitians hand-picked just for you. And for more expert information on which healthy breakfast options can help fuel your morning, be sure to read as well. The #1 Best Breakfast for Keeping Your Brain in Shape, Says Dietitian.
strong>ingredients: Sorghum, certified organic gluten-free oats, almonds, maple syrup, dried cranberries (cranberries, cane sugar, sunflower oil), organic coconut oil, organic coconut sugar, organic quinoa, organic coconut nectar, cinnamon, salt marinade, organic puffed amaranth, vanilla extract, organic chia seeds, organic plant-based vitamin D3 (VegD3), vitamin E.
“This cereal is a great way to start the morning,” says Sydney Greene, MS, RD. “A bowl has 6 grams of fiber, 5 grams of protein, and just 8 grams of added sugars, and this cereal is made from whole foods and is fortified with vitamin D to support overall health and wellness.”
Ingredients: Organic KAMUT® khorasan wheat flour, organic wheat bran, organic whole wheat flour, organic cane sugar, organic whole oat flour, organic spelt, organic barley flour, organic whole millet, organic barley malt extract, organic quinoa, sea salt and organic honey.
“This cereal uses Kamut, an ancient grain that is easier to digest than modern wheat varieties,” says Greene. “This product is also organic and does not contain GMO ingredients. One serving provides a whopping 7 grams of fiber, 5 grams of protein, and a small amount of added sugar.”
Ingredients: Organic Sprouted Whole Wheat, Filtered Water, Organic Malted Barley, Organic Golden Flaxseed, Organic Sprouted Whole Millet, Organic Sprouted Whole Lentils, Organic Sprouted Whole Soybeans, Organic Sprouted Whole Spelled, Sea Salt.
“While many cereals are loaded with added sugar, this cereal does not have,” the The nutrition twins Tammy Lakatos Shames, RDN, CDN, CFTY Lyssie Lakatos, RDN, CDN, CFTpoint.
“All the grains here are organic, high in fiber, and are also sprouted. Therefore, they are easier to digest and higher in nutrients than ungerminated grains,” they say.
“The folate- and iron-rich lentils and soybeans used, which are rich sources of antioxidants, fiber, and phytonutrients, are also sprouted,” adds Nutrition Twins.
Ingredients: Organic cassava flour, organic coconut flour, organic honey, organic coconut sugar, organic coconut oil, sea salt, vanilla extract.
“Appropriate for those dealing with a variety of dietary restrictions, Lovebird cereal is made from a short list of whole-food ingredients,” says Greene. “Lower in protein than other cereals, it makes up for it by providing a good amount of fiber and only 4 grams of added sugar.”
Ingredients: Organic gluten-free sprouted oats, organic coconut sugar, organic quinoa, organic hemp seeds, unrefined salt, tocopherol (vitamin E).
“Made with 100% organic, vegan and gluten-free ingredients, this cereal contains whole grain superstars, including organic quinoa, which is rich in fiber, protein, and folate, as well as magnesium, which most of us don’t have,” says Nutrition Twins.
According to Nutrition Twins, this instant oatmeal contains “hemp seeds, which are a good source of antioxidant vitamin E, as well as anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, and insoluble fiber and soluble fiber, which act as prebiotics to support good bacteria in your microbiome to thrive.
