Nutritionists suggest a breakfast cereal that contains whole grains; has less than 4 g of added sugar; has no saturated fats; is low in sodium; is high in potassium; and fiber and has no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. If you follow these guidelines, you just eliminated a majority of the cereals you find on your grocer's shelves. Now all you have to do is find one that actually tastes good enough to eat.
Kashi
Kashi Heart to Heart Oat Flakes and Blueberry Clusters offers healthy ingredients as well as a nice crunchy texture that makes Kashi Heart to Heart a good choice. A single 1 cup serving has 200 calories, 2 g of fat, 135 mg of sodium, 110 mg of potassium, 44 g of carbohydrates, 4 g of fiber, 12 g of sugars and 6 g of protein. The sugar count is a bit high, but part of this is because of the fructose in the blueberries. This cereal is made with whole grains and uses vegetable juice for color.
Health Valley Organic
Health Valley Organic Cranberry Crunch is tasty and healthy with organic cranberries and crisp brown rice. One cup has 190 calories, 4 g of fat, 100 mg of sodium, 100 mg of potassium, 38 g of carbohydrates, 3 g of fiber, 13 g of sugars and 4 g of protein. Added sweeteners include cane juice and organic pineapple, pear and peach juice, which are much preferable to high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners. This is a good choice if you are trying to wean your kids off sugar cereals, those with 20, 30 and 40 g of sugar per 3/4 cup serving.
Bear Naked
If you prefer no added fruit, try Bear Naked Vanilla Almond Crunch. One quarter cup serving has 120 calories, 2.5 g of fat, 10 mg of sodium, 22 g of total carbohydrates, 2 g of fiber, 4 g of sugars and 4 g of protein. This cereal has whole-grain oats; brown rice syrup; almonds, which add to the fat content; whole grain crisp rice; oat bran; natural flavor; and ground flax seeds. The sweetener is evaporated cane juice. No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. This cereal has a nice crunchy texture, and the whole grains keep you feeling full until lunch.
General Mills
General Mills Whole Grain Cheerios has been gracing breakfast tables for years, as well as snack cups, plastic lunch bags and homemade trail mix. One cup of Cheerios has 100 calories, 2 g of fat, 160 mg of sodium, 170 mg of potassium, 20 g of total carbohydrates, 3 g of dietary fiber, 1 g of sugars and 3 g of protein. Cheerios does lack some of the more nutritious, tasty ingredients found in Kashi, Health Valley and Bear Naked brands.
Post
Post Shredded Wheat is probably one of the most basic cereals on the market. Two Shredded Wheat biscuits have 160 calories, 1 g of fat, no sodium, 180 mg of potassium, 37 g of total carbohydrates with 6 g of fiber, 31 g of other carbohydrates and 5 g of protein. Shredded Wheat contains shredded whole-grain wheat and BHT added to the packaging to preserve freshness. You may have to slowly work this one in to your child's diet, however, opting for the frosted variety first, which has 12 g of sugar per serving.
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