The only way to truly tell if a cereal is good for you is to read the label. Everyone is doing it these days. The last time I was in a grocery store a woman was yelling back at her husband, "No sugar, trans fats, corn syrup, sugar...!!!" I looked at her and giggled. She looked up from her nutrition book recommended by Oprah and smiled. I told her about Lucid Nutrition and recommended Fiber One. She asked about Cheerios. The whole conversation was fun. Anyway, the first thing to look for on a cereal box are the words "whole grain". Next, choose cereals that are high in fiber. Also, learn to recognize unhealthy ingredients to avoid. Don't buy cereals that contain the words "partially hydrogenated". This indicates that they contain trans fats and loaded with sugar.
Basically, whole-grain cereals are high in Insoluble fiber, which helps combat constipation and may prevent certain cancers. Soluble fiber is different and is concentrated in oats and psyllium which tends to lower blood cholesterol reducing the risk of heart disease and stabilizing blood sugar.
For the best health we need both types of fiber. Health organizations such as the National Cancer Institute, the American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association encourage 20 to 30 grams of fiber each day.
Over all, my Favorite breakfast cereal is Fiber One. I mix about half a cup with some Wheaties, use Silk Soy Milk (vanilla preferably) and toss in a few blueberries (if I have them). Yum! Also, portion control is good discipline. If you eat too much, too fast, you are most likely to get a belly ache. Feeling light is essential for floating gracefully around your world. Eating a high fiber cereal in the morning will give you the satisfaction and energy you need with fewer calories than you would get by the typical breakfast of coffee with pastries or biscuits or pancakes or waffles with sausage and bacon or eggs. Good morning to you all everyday:)
RECIPES
great post. Thanks for sharin' the information. i m a HUGE cereal fans. thats my breakfast almost everyday.
Posted by: zee | January 30, 2007 at 01:33 PM
Thanks. I eat cereal almost everyday as well. And when I don't, I always feel like I'm missing something at the end of the day. I think its the fiber I've gotten used to...really:)
I used to want to try every kind of cereal ever made until I realized most brands are ALL SUGAR!! Yeah, so I gave up my Cinnamon Toast Crunch Days and haven't gone back since.
Posted by: Briana Franco | January 30, 2007 at 01:39 PM
i m a quaker oat supporter, cant find Fiber One in Brazil. Will definitely try it out when i get back to SG. (^_*)
Posted by: zee | January 31, 2007 at 09:34 AM