Cheerios
Skip the flavored varieties and stick to the classic O’s loved by all ages. Cheerios contain only 100 calories per serving and 3 grams of fiber. Bonus–this healthy cereal is a great source of several vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc, vitamin B6 and folic acid. Super versatile, Cheerios can be used in snack mixes, granola bar recipes or snacks for your toddler straight out of the package.
Fiber One
One of the highest fiber cereals you can find, Fiber One offers 14 grams in just a ½-cup serving. It’s slightly sweetened with sucralose, so none of that yucky high fructose corn syrup. Fiber One recipes for muffins, bars, breads and snack mixes are abundant. As a breakfast cereal, it’ll keep you full for hours.
The 5 Cereals You May Want to Avoid
Sugary cereals laden with marshmallows and chocolate are obviously poor choices. But, these are sneakier–they sound great, but really aren’t so hot if you’re looking for the most nutritious bowl. Save these cereals for a once-in-a-while breakfasts.
Granola
Sure, there are healthy versions out there, but diligence in label reading is a must. Avoid the ultra-sweet clusters, which tend to be high in fat and sugar. Excessive amounts of nuts, dried fruits and seeds amp up the calorie level. A little of these gems are wonderful, but too much of a good thing is real. Don’t use up all of your calories in your first meal of the day. Try making your own (it’s easy)!
Cracklin’ Oat Bran
The name sounds like a super heart-healthy cereal, right? Look closely: One serving has 4 grams of saturated fat (as much as a teaspoon of butter) and 19 grams of sugar (that’s nearly 4 teaspoons)!
Sugary Raisin Bran
Unfortunately, several raisin bran manufacturers coat their raisins in sugar, bursting the limit for a breakfast cereal. If you like the high fiber, naturally-sweet flavor of raisins in your cereal, add natural raisins to your cereal yourself. You’ll save lots of calories from excess sugar and still reap the fiber benefits of the dried fruit.
Kellogg’s Smart Start
Despite its intelligent sounding name, it’s not a smart choice at all. With 14 grams of sugar in a serving, the antioxidants and protein it touts on the box just aren’t worth it.
So, remember, don’t believe the hype on the front of the box. Take time to read the nutrition label and ingredients to find the smartest cereal choices out there. And don’t forget to use low-fat or fat-free milk over your cereal and top it off with some fresh berries for even more nutrition.
Note: Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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