Put a box or two of cereal in our office kitchen, and it's rarely long for the world; the latest offering from Barbara's Bakery, Barbara's Snackimals Cereal ($5), was no exception. As soon as we set these adorable animal-shaped breakfast bites out for a taste test, the hungry masses descended like a pack of wolves to see if they were up to snuff, and — spoiler alert — they were, and then some. Keep reading to see which flavor will break you out of a breakfast rut.
The change of seasons may bring to mind shorter hemlines and a rededication to the gym, but it also means that the opportunity to indulge in a favorite balmy-weather treat — s'mores — is just around the corner. Sadly, it's not quite prime bonfire and grilling weather yet, even in Northern California, so I've come up with a fix to tide us over till then: a s'mores-inspired snack (OK, dessert) mix.
Now, I'd like to take credit for this rather clever idea, but that would be disingenuous; inspiration first struck after tasting a sample of Mama Mellace S'mores Snack Mix at the Fancy Food Show. Tasty, but a hair too sweet, and lacking the salty-sweet punch I so crave, this snack mix was on the right track but not quite as delightful as it could be. So, like any good test cook, I set out to re-create it the way my taste buds intended.
A quick and easy breakfast, cereal can be an excellent source of protein and fiber. It can also be loaded with sugar, making your bowl not as healthy as you thought. I'm not talking about Frosted Flakes or Lucky Charms either — seemingly healthy cereals have sugar, cane juice, or the like as one of the first few ingredients. Check the label on your box and if it's high in sugar, choose one of the low-sugar options below. If these don't seem flavorful enough, jazz up your bowl with some naturally sweet fresh fruit.
| Cereal | Serving Size | Calories | Sugar (g) | Fiber (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbara's Bakery Brown Rice Crisps | 1 cup | 120 | 1 | less than 1 | 2 |
| Barbara's Bakery Corn Flakes | 1 cup | 110 | 3 | less than 1 | 2 |
| Barbara's Bakery Hole 'n Oats: Fruit Juice Sweetened | 1 cup | 120 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Barbara's Bakery Puffins Original | 3/4 cup | 90 | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| Barbara's Bakery Shredded Wheat | 2 biscuits | 140 | 0 | 5 | 4 |
| Cascadian Farm Multi Grain Squares | 3/4 cup | 110 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Cascadian Farm Purely O's | 1 cup | 110 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| General Mills Cheerios | 1 cup | 100 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
Keep reading for more cereals that are low in sugar.
When you're in a rush in the morning, cereal is the perfect meal — just pour it, spoon it, and you're good to go. There's probably over a hundred different boxes to choose from, and while I'm sure you know Apple Jacks isn't the healthiest (a serving has as much sugar as three Chips Ahoy! cookies), even seemingly healthy cereals aren't the best choice.
It's important to fill your bowl with a cereal that's both high in fiber and protein, since both help keep you feeling full. Here's a list to choose from — and all contain at least five grams each of fiber and protein.
| Cereal | Serving Size | Calories | Fiber (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbara's Bakery Shredded Oats | 1 1/4 cup | 220 | 5 | 6 |
| Barbara's Bakery High Fiber Original | 1/4 cup | 180 | 14 | 5 |
| Barbara's Bakery High Fiber Flax & Granola | 1/4 cup | 200 | 10 | 5 |
| Barbara's Bakery High Fiber Cranberry | 1/4 cup | 190 | 10 | 5 |
| Bear Naked Fit Autumn Blend | 1 cup | 210 | 6 | 6 |
| Bear Naked Fit Almond Crisp | 1 cup | 230 | 7 | 7 |
| General Mills Wheat Chex | 3/4 cup | 160 | 5 | 5 |
| Kashi Berry Fruitful | 29 biscuits | 170 | 6 | 6 |
| Kashi Go Lean Original | 1 cup | 140 | 10 | 13 |
| Kashi Go Lean Crunch! | 1 cup | 190 | 8 | 9 |
| Kashi Go Lean Crunch! Honey Almond Flax | 1 cup | 200 | 8 | 9 |
Keep reading for more cereals that are high in both fiber and protein.
You may have noticed by now that mornings are becoming colder. Although you might be tempted to hit the snooze button more than a couple times, we have some recipes that give you reason to drag yourself out of bed. Get out from under the covers to enjoy one — or all — of these gluten-free cereals.
Source: Flickr user Sonia! The Healthy Foodie
All this talk of our favorite childhood cereals has left my stomach grumbling for nostalgic morning treats. Many of these morning meals are no longer available on store shelves, but thankfully their commercials live on — questionable video quality aside.
Sources: eBay sellers toyriffics, pierresportscards, and cookiepeople
There's nothing like slurping a big spoonful of crunchy cereal from a bowl of cold milk. But in the event that you simply don't "got milk" or want to mix it up a bit, you and your cereal should look no further. Between the sugary (mom's favorite), the fruity, and the crunchy, there's rarely a cereal that's not good to eat beyond the bowl. If you're feeling adventurous or need an excuse to eat cereal past breakfast, try these five ways to enjoy your favorite snack.
While I appreciate the freedoms of adulthood, sometimes I have a hankering for a morning watching weekend cartoons while munching on a bowl of the sweetest cereal that would pass parental approval. Now, I’d wager that the true parental divide is as such: those who would and those who would not allow sugary cereal in their house. While my mom was staunch in her disapproval of Lucky Charms, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, French Toast Crunch (RIP), etc., my dad was a bit more permissive on that front.
Throughout my childhood, most mornings spent at my dad’s house started off with filling my Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles bowl to the brim (at least once) with some saccharine-sweet goodness. Like any cereal addict, I had certain rituals for eating my favorite, Lucky Charms:
What were your morning gustatory rituals as a child? Were you allowed to eat sugary cereal, and if so, which types are you most nostalgic for?
Source: Flickr User stev.ie
Sometimes a bowl of cereal from the box just doesn't do it — you need something warm to jump-start your day. If you're over eggs, and don't have time in the morning for an elaborately cooked breakfast, reach for a bowl of whole-grain hot cereal. Most recipes are easy to prep ahead of time, while others cook up in less than 10 minutes. By morning's end, you will have enjoyed a breakfast filled with fiber, iron, manganese, and zinc. (And, depending on the grain or mix-in, you may have gotten yourself a big protein boost, too!)
Source: Flickr Users Ron Dollete, StarsApart, mccun934
A bowl of cereal is a common go-to breakfast in our house because it's quick, it's a cinch to whip up, and most importantly, it offers a healthy dose of necessary fiber. If you're not careful, there are many reasons that bowl of cereal is making you fat. Avoid weight gain by pouring one of these healthy cereals, all under 150 calories per serving.
Read on for more low-calorie cereals.
