1. Start Slowly
If you are downing a bowl of fruity rainbow O's and have been for the past 20 years or so, changing your habits to avoid refined cereals may be a difficult transition. You find comfort in waking up to the colorful pre-packaged sweetness, and making a switch is just unthinkable. One way to make the transition is to start slow and gradually build up. Take your normal breakfast selection and slip a little whole grain granola into the bottom of the bowl. This is a great way to get kids to try something other than their beloved artificially colored and flavored pseudo-food. They may even think they've found a prize at the bottom of their bowl. And, actually, they have: more fiber, more vitamins and minerals, and best of all, no chemical concoctions.
2. Change Up the Shopping Patterns of the Past
To avoid refined cereals, it may take a change in your shopping habits. Like an alcoholic passing by the corner bar, you may be tempted to walk down the cereal isle at your grocery store. Avoid the temptation by knowing you are lowering your family's cancer risk and improving their overall general health by skipping that isle all together. When shopping with the little ones, it may be hard to skip the colorful boxes of prize-filled people feed, but plan ahead and skip the isle. If they don't see it, most likely they won't beg for it. You might even try to explain to your kids that some cereals have had their good whole grain stripped dry of its nutrients and they include gobs of chemicals, colors and flavors that aren't good for us.
3. Select New Tasty Options
You'll need a replacement when you decide to avoid refined cereals. You can usually find these replacements in your natural foods store, or in the natural foods section of the grocery store, if your market has one. If it doesn't, try plain oatmeal. It is a whole grain, heart healthy food that doesn't take any longer to make than a bowl of cold cereal if you have a tea kettle. Put some water on to boil and pour it over the quick oats, add some raisins and you've got a great warm breakfast. If you simply must have your cold cereal, try puffed grains, which have little extra added anything. Just be sure your adding high quality dairy products, or even select an alternative like rice milk. Add fresh or dried fruit and you have a tasty, low sugar, chemical-free way to start your day.
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