In honor of National Cereal Day, we at DietsInReview, are giving you a rundown of five of the best cereals on the market today and a few that fall way short of meeting the nutritional guidelines for the day’s most important meal.
1) Kashi Go Lean: We love the folks at Kashi, particularly because their cereals are filled with whole grains, fiber and protein. One cup of Kashi Go Lean contains 140 calories, 10 grams of fiber and 13 grams of protein.
2) Special K Red Berries: Crunchy, sweet and lo-cal – you can’t ask for more in a cereal. Coming in at just 110 calories per cup, Special K is a great way to start your day.
3) Post Total: It’s a crunchy, sweet and satisfying way to get in 100% of your daily vitamins and minerals.
4) Cheerios: This stand-by is a favorite of kids and adults for good reason. With 110 calories per cup, 3 grams of fiber and super low in sugar, pop a few blueberries in your bowl and you’re good to go!
5) Chex: We love the Multi-Bran Chex with 160 calories per 3/4 cup, 6 grams of satiating fiber, 90% of your iron needs and 100% of your folic acid requirements, but any of the Chex flavors are winners. Rice Chex are a great alternative for those with gluten allergies.
The Not-So-Good List
1) Quaker Oats Natural Oat and Honey Granola: This cereal sounds healthy but with 210 calories, 6 grams of fat and 12 grams of sugar per a mere 1/2 cup serving, you might be better off eating a Pop Tart (but don’t eat that either!).
2) Post’s Golden Crisps: While its calories and fat content aren’t that weighty, Post’s Golden Crisps miss the mark when it comes to sugar. One 3/4 cup serving contains 14 grams of sugar, which is like adding 3.5 teaspoons of the sweet white stuff on top of your cereal bowl.
3) Cap’n Crunch: Sure you fought with your mom to buy it when you were younger (and most of us still have a hankering for it), but this sugar-laden cereal contains a whopping 12 grams of sugar per 3/4 cup serving and less than one gram of fiber.
There are almost too many choices when it comes to cereal, but by reading nutrition labels carefully and using a measuring cup when you pour it into a bowl, cereal can be a super nutritious quick-meal or snack.
Happy Noshing!
Don’t miss our editor’s pick for a sixth super healthy, super yummy cereal. Check-out [Me] & Goji – you make it, they provide the natural and organic ingredients!