Cereals are the centerpiece of a healthy breakfast and you have to be quite picky to find the healthiest options. The breakfast cereal aisle at the grocery store is loaded with colourful boxes featuring cute characters to attract kids (and sometimes adults too!) Many of them are tagged with claims such as 'whole-grains' or 'low-sugar' aimed to reassure adults. But, how do you decide which ones are healthy and which ones are not?
Always look for the Nutrition Facts label on the side or back of the package. This is where you'll find all the information you need regarding the sugar, fiber, vitamin and mineral content, along with the entire ingredients list.
Here are some tips that’ll help you choose the best cereal.
Look for whole grains
Look over the ingredients list for the word 'whole' attached to the first ingredient like whole oats, whole wheat etc. These whole grains will provide fiber as well as a small amount of protein, while processed grains will not. If the first listed ingredient is flour, you may be dealing with a highly processed cereal.
Choose high fiber cereals
Having a good proportion of fiber for breakfast will help you get the right amount you need each day. Choose a cereal that is high in fiber or at least has 5 grams per serving. You'll find the most fiber in cereals such as shredded wheat, oat cereals, puffed wheat and bran cereals.
Also Read: Breakfast is king, here's why you must never skip it
Keep sugar and fat in check
Do you know that one serving of some cereals has as much sugar as three chocolate chip cookies? Steer clear of processed grains, sugars and fat. Look for brands that have 10 grams or less sugar per serving.
Pay attention to portions
The serving size of cereal can vary from 1/2 cup to more than one cup and most people eat more than that. Aim for a cereal that has 200 calories or less per serving. Use a measuring cup to keep yourself honest and stick to the recommended serving size.
Ingredients to avoid
You must avoid cereals that contain artificial flavours and high amounts of sodium. It's always better to add fresh fruits to your cereal in order to provide natural flavours.
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