I’ve had so many clients lately asking me what breakfast cereals are the healthiest choices for them and their kids. To be quite honest there aren’t a whole lot of healthy options in the cereal aisle. We already know that anything that comes in a box is processed, and unfortunately it seems that the cereal manufacturers also like to dump in loads of sugar, often using sneaky names to hide it from consumers.

 

 
How to Make Healthier Choices 

Look for cereals high in fiber (aim for 5g) and very low in added sugar. I’d like to see less than 1 tsp of added sugar per serving, that’s just over 4g. I also look at protein, if you’re eating your cereal with yogurt or cow’s milk you’re going to get some bonus protein and anything oat based usually has more protein.

 
I personally love these four breakfast cereal options:

 
1. Plain yogurt topped with 1/3 cup low sugar granola and 1/2 cup of organic berries.
 

2. No sweetener added hot cereal like Qia or good old fashioned plain oatmeal sweetened naturally with dried or fresh fruit and a pinch of cinnamon.
 

3. Unsweetened Overnight Oats.
 

4. If you’re really craving some good old-fashioned cereal go for 1 cup of bulky flakes like corn flakes or bran flakes with 1/4 cup of low sugar granola mixed in for texture and crunch. That should hit the spot.
 

 

 
Some Nutritionist Approved Cereal Brands 

•    Low sugar Granola like flavors from Purely Elizabeth or Kind
•    Low sugar Muesli like Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Muesli
•    ​Hot Cereal like Nature’s Path Qia
•    Corn Flakes like Nature’s Path Gluten Free Corn Flakes
•    Oat Cereal like Purely O’s from Cascadian Farms
•    Bran Flakes like Nature’s Path Flax Plus Flakes

 

Make Unsweetened Overnight Oats

My favorite summer twist on hot oatmeal is cold overnight oats.
 
Here’s my recipe, this serves 2 so divide ingredients into separate containers for his and hers breakfast tomorrow.
 
2 Tablespoons of chia seeds
2/3 cup quick cooking oats
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tsp of vanilla extract
½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
Almond milk (about 1 cup)

Cover with unsweetened almond milk and stir to combine. Let set for at least 2 hours or overnight. In the morning stir again and if the consistency is too thick add a bit more almond milk. Sweeten naturally with 1/2 a banana and 1/2 cup organic berries on each.