The popularity of breakfast cereals might have waned over the past few years in favor of green smoothies, but they are still a convenient and easy way to start the mornings. The downside is that most of the cereal packed on the shelves are not that healthy with all the loaded sugars and perseverates add to them.
But between all the marketing and sugar coated cereals, are some of the best – packed with the nutrients and minerals our bodies need to start the day. And this is key, starting your day right, with the right nutrients.
Oats
Oats, rolled or crushed is an excellent and nutritious breakfast cereal choice. More so, oats are whole grains but also packed with fiber. In fact, half a cup of oats will give you 4 grams of fiber and about 68 percent of your daily needs of manganese, 18 of daily phosphorus as well as selenium needs, and 16 percent of the zinc you need. Oats are also packed with magnesium, iron and the most vital B vitamins.
When you buy your oats at the supermarket, avoid the pre-portioned or flavored types of oats. This since these type of oats are loaded with sugars and other unhealthy ingredients. It is best to make your own. Therefore, you can add fresh fruit or even some nutmeg or cinnamon, or even some nuts to your oats. Also, instead of using water, you could use milk, but if you want your oats to be super yum, try using yogurt.
Muesli
Muesli is a mix of nuts, dried fruit, seeds and rolled oats. It is both yum and healthy as it does not contain added sweeteners or oils. More so, with the mix of ingredients, muesli is a great source of protein, fiber, minerals and vitamins.
If you are concerned about carbs, then look out for a grain free version. These are made with nuts, raisins and coconut flakes.
Granola bars
A great choice if you are not a big breakfast fan, but still want something healthy in the morning. However, it is best to go for your own homemade granola than shop brought since then you can avoid the added sugars. More so, it is easy to prepare and the kids will like doing it as well.
All you need is nuts, rolled oats, dried fruit and some honey. Then bake until they are crispy.
Because of the ingredients, granola bars are packed with protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, B vitamins and manganese.
On the bad side, these bars can be rather high in calories. Therefore, keep it as a morning treat rather than a daily morning cereal replacement.
Homemade cinnamon crunch breakfast cereal
You can find different sorts of cinnamon crunch breakfast cereals. The issue is that most are high in sugar. You can make your own, and it is easy, thereby making sure that it is super healthy. You could add hemp seeds, apple juice, flax seeds, cinnamon and coconut oil when you make yours.
Depending on what is in your mix, you will get plenty of fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids and you can make sure yours is low in carbs.
Kashi whole grain nuggets
These nuggets are high in nutrients and low in sugar. They are made from seven different sorts of whole gains. Like wheat, rye, oats, barley, buckwheat and triticale. This also means that they are high in fiber, and a good source of protein, but also zinc, B vitamins, potassium, and magnesium.
Grape nuts
Grape nuts, is a super healthy cereal. It is made by mixing four different ingredients, namely salt, dried yeast, and malted barley and wheat flour together. You could use coconut flour and almond flour instead of wheat flour is you want to. There is no added sugars. But this cereal will provide you a good amount of fiber, and B vitamins, iron, zinc, copper and magnesium.
Cauliflower oatmeal
Did you know that you could make cereal out of cauliflower? Well, you can. You can made cauliflower oatmeal, which is made by mixing riced cauliflower with eggs, and add your own mix-ins. This is an outstanding way to decrease your carb intake while still enjoying the enjoyable taste and textures of regular oatmeal.
This type of oats will be 11 times less carbs than normal oats. But what you will gain is vital nutrients, as well as antioxidant and fiber.
Homemade peanut butter puffs cereal
This homemade peanut butter puffs are super healthy. All you have to do is to make a dough from almond flour, cocoa powder, peanut butter, coconut oil and a few other ingredients. The use of almond flour will lower the carb content of the cereal and make it healthier than those shop brought variants with the loaded sugar content. Once you make your dough, just roll it into small balls before baking them in the oven.
This cereal will provide you with protein, healthy fats and different minerals and vitamins. You should just watch your portions, as almond flour can be rather high in calories of around 160 calories per ounce.
Homemade flax and chia cereal
You can make a dough out of flax, chia seeds and coconut oil. Add in some cinnamon and stevia or raw honey as a sweetener if you like. Then cut the dough into squares and bake.
The flax and chia seeds have omega-3 fatty acids, but also protein to keep you full and satisfied. Furthermore, they provide an important amount of nutrients, as well as magnesium, phosphorus and manganese.
Closing remarks
Breakfast is very important, and many people like to eat cereals to start their days. Most cereals are made from sugars and refined grains, not the ideal and healthy way to feed your body. But you can opt for more healthy types of cereals, some you can even make at home. These are high in fiber, nutritious and without the added sugars.
