Selecting a breakfast cereal that ticks all the boxes in terms of taste as well as nutrition can be tricky, especially with such a huge range on offer at the grocery store.
To make things easier, dietitian Abbey Sharp, who is based in Toronto and has more than 600,000 subscribers to her YouTube channel, has outlined how to choose a healthy cereal.
‘Fiber is really important for regularity and for satiety, so I typically look for a cereal for every day that has about three or more grams per serving,’ she said.
‘I typically look for a cereal that’s not completely sugar free, because hashtag flavor, but something that has less than seven grams of sugar per serving.’
‘Fiber is really important for regularity and for satiety, so I typically look for a cereal for every day that has about three or more grams per serving,’ dietitian Abbey Sharp said.
The American Heart Association advise that men should consume no more than nine teaspoons of added sugar a day (39g), while women should have no more than six (24g).
Luckily, there are a number of cereals that match up to Abbey’s mantra of three or more grams of fiber and less than seven grams of sugar per serving.
As for fiber, the recommendation is 25-30g per day.
Alpen No Sugar Added Muesli, $9.59, has zero grams of added sugar – and 6g of natural sugars.
Per 2/3 cup serving, it provides: 210 calories, 7g fiber and 6g total sugar.
Although Cheerios may traditionally be seen as unhealthy, the original Cheerios, $3.99, have just one gram of sugar per serving and are made with 100 percent whole-grain oats.
Whole-grains are considered superior to other types of carbohydrate due to their high quantity of fiber, vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients.
They also keep you fuller for longer, reducing the risk that hunger pangs will creep in before lunch.
Per 1 1/2 cup serving, it offers 140 cal, 4g fiber, 2g total sugar, including 1 g added sugar.
Kellogg’s All-Bran Flakes, $6.37, also make the cut as a healthy option for your morning meal.
It contains 7g of sugar per portion and hits Abbey’s recommendation of 6g of fiber.
Each serving of the whole-grain cereal provides 11 vitamins and minerals, including 60 percent of your daily recommended iron intake.
Weetabix, $7.99, which can be enjoyed dry or with milk, offers a hearty breakfast option.
It is low in salt, low fat, low sugar and contains an impressive six grams of fiber per serving.
Per three biscuits comes to 180 cal, 6g fiber, and 4g of sugar – two of which is natural.
Dr. Debi Johnson is a medical expert and health journalist dedicated to promoting well-being. With a background in medicine, she offers evidence-based insights into health trends and wellness practices. Beyond her reporting, Dr. Debi enjoys hiking, yoga, and empowering others to lead healthier lives.
