1. Know Your Options
When choosing low-sugar options for hot instant cereals, you might think your options are limited. One obvious way to make a delectable hot (almost instant) cereal is to buy old fashioned quick oats. Stir in a little boiling water and add things like cocoa, cinnamon or raisins for a tasty breakfast. If you'd like it a little sweeter, sprinkle on a little stevia, an all-natural herbal sweetener, and you have a refined sugar-free breakfast that will warm the coolest morning. You might also try "Sweet Leaf," which is a stevia-based product with an added natural fiber designed to nourish the friendly bacteria in your intestines. Only nature could create a calorie free sweetener that is actually good for you!
2. Cream of What?
Old-fashioned cream of wheat requires too much cooking time for most family's busy morning rush. Thus using this hot cereal as a low-sugar option may present a challenge. To get around the morning rush and still enjoy cream of wheat for breakfast, simply get out your slow cooker and add the required cereal and water the night before. Put the cooker on its lowest setting and turn it on just before heading to bed. When you get up in the morning, you have a great ready-made cream of wheat breakfast without any fuss. Add some cinnamon, nuts or raisins for added flavor. You could also try topping it with a little fresh fruit like strawberries or peaches. Yum!
3. Rice is Nice
You don't have to limit yourself to oatmeal when choosing low-sugar options for hot instant cereals. Broaden your horizons a bit and you'll find that many typical "dinner" side dishes double as breakfast grains. Take your leftover rice from last night's turkey and bean surprise and you'll find a hot instant cereal just begging for attention. Pour a little milk, or if you are off dairy, a little rice milk on it. Throw it in the microwave on re-heat and in a minute you have a breakfast ready for some toppings. Throw on some berries or stir in a tablespoon of peanut butter or a little stevia. Try this with couscous and other grains as well. Wild rice also makes a great selection because of its protein content.
