Breakfast of Champions?

February 16, 2006 11:29 PM

What's a healthy but tasty breakfast cereal?

I like a farily quick breakfast, and cereal usually does the trick just fine. I don't know much about nutrition (yes, I know it's important to learn, and I will, but not right now), so can anyone suggest some healthy and tasty cereals or other equally quick breakfast foods? The health cereals I've tried from time to time seem pretty bland.

In terms of taste, I eat pretty much everything. I haven't met many cereals I didn't like, and I don't need huge amounts of sugar (I find Frosted Flakes to be kinda disgusting). Honey stuff is always good, as are fruits and nuts. Cheerios are delightful.

I live in a pretty health-conscious town (Ithaca, NY) which has fantastic markets of all sizes (Wegmans....drool) so I assume that I have access to most options.

posted by bargex to food & drink (52 comments total)

I love Cracklin' Oat Bran.... higher than some on fat/calories but great source of fiber, which evens out those things -- and super tasty. helps me stay regular, anway.
posted by SpookyFish at 11:42 PM on February 16, 2006

The various flavors of Total are pretty good. I like Total raisin bran.

There's a Special K that has dried strawberries in it that's quite good as well.

Honey Nut Cheerios are a nice change from the regular ones.

Grape Nuts, if your teeth can handle them, are actually kind of tasty, but definitely could use the help of a sliced up banana or something.

There's this one cereal which I can't remember the name of, but nutrition-wise it even beats out Total... I had it at the cafeteria at work once when I needed a late breakfast, and for the life of me I can't remember what it was.. but it had oat clusters, bran flakes and was lightly sweetened. If I can remember it, I'll post it.
posted by twiggy at 11:42 PM on February 16, 2006

What about oatmeal? The instant kind is fast (30 seconds in the microwave) and even that stuff is super good for you in terms of lowering cholestoral. I like it because 1/2 a cup (uncooked) keeps me full until lunch.
posted by Brittanie at 11:45 PM on February 16, 2006

Have you tried Kashi cereals?
posted by quam at 11:50 PM on February 16, 2006

Mueslix!
posted by frogan at 11:55 PM on February 16, 2006

I don't know how healthy it is when you get down to it, but I do enjoy the Berry Burst Cheerios. They're Cheerios, but with dried strawberries and blueberries.
posted by synecdoche at 11:55 PM on February 16, 2006

Kashi Go Lean Crunch!!!!!
posted by ORthey at 12:06 AM on February 17, 2006

I love Nature's Path cereals, especially Mesa Sunrise and Koala Crisp (which makes your cereal milk nice and chocolately without being too sweet). I also am a fan of their granola/muesli cereals, especially Ginger Zing and Hemp Plus granolas. (I'd live off their muesli if I could, but both contain nuts I'm allergic to.)
posted by Felicity Rilke at 12:09 AM on February 17, 2006

Also check out their waffles if you want a healthier alternative to Eggos.
posted by Felicity Rilke at 12:10 AM on February 17, 2006

I kid you not: GRAPE-NUTS® Hot!
Product placement courtesy of kraftfoods.com
posted by rob511 at 12:12 AM on February 17, 2006

There's something called Soy-Os which I LOVE. The same brand (Nature's Path) makes a lot of good, organic cereals. Some of them are whole grain and some have 7-12 g of protein, which makes me feel fuller longer. All the ones I've tried taste good.

On preview, damn you rilke!!!
posted by callmejay at 12:13 AM on February 17, 2006

My favorite is a date/nut muesli (from out of the bulk bins) with vanilla yogurt (instead of milk), especially if I add some chopped up strawberries or apple. I also like plain old Cheerios, especially late at night.
posted by tula at 12:37 AM on February 17, 2006

I do a lot of cereal mixing. Half cheerios/Half Fiber-one with a cut up banana. With that tasty combo, you are getting a ton of fiber.

And if you go oatmeal, do NOT go instant. Get the regular stuff, it's only 3 minutes in the microwave for a bowl and is way better for you.
posted by glenwood at 5:31 AM on February 17, 2006

I pretty much eat bran flakes (Wegmans brand) and steel-cut oatmeal, which I find more satisfying than rolled oats. I've been adding ground flaxseed to both for a little more fiber and usually dried blueberries or fresh when available.

If you cook a bunch of steel-cut oatmeal, say on Sunday, you can portion it out and just quickly reheat it on a busier weekday.
posted by stefnet at 5:32 AM on February 17, 2006

There is a "natural" brand called Barbara's that I really like. My nutritional guideline is that I don't like things I can't pronounce. The one that our whole family agrees on is called Shredded Spoonfuls (a stupid name, a nice and only lightly sweetened cereal).
posted by theredpen at 5:41 AM on February 17, 2006

I soak oatmeal (non-instant), ground bran and soy milk overnight with dried fruit. In the a.m. I add walnuts and fresh fruit (sliced apple, or thawed frozen blueberries).
you could heat it or eat it cold. This could be made in advance for several days.
Walnuts and blueberries are two of those "super foods", I forget why...I think they are super.....
I thing the highest (or close to highest) bran cereal is all bran. It tastes like twigs. It is really good over yogurt instead of granola.

Really my favorite cereals are all those sugary kids cereals....so good.....
posted by TheLibrarian at 5:44 AM on February 17, 2006

My favorite healthy cereal is Kashi Good Friends Cinna-Raisin Crunch.
(Which is available at Wegmans, as that's where I buy it.)
posted by Lucinda at 5:52 AM on February 17, 2006

I eat the different sorts of Kashi stuff, it's high in fiber and pretty low in sugar which is the thing that makes most breakfast cereals not that great for me. I'll usually mix it with fruit (bag of frozen blueberries in the freezer, pop some into the microwave) or 1/2 and 1/2 with Panda Puffs or something ridiculous if I really can't face Kashi in the morning. Similarly healthy cereals include Grape Nuts Flakes and Uncle Sam Flakes. You may not have the same reactions to sugar in cereals that I do, but even "healthy" type cereals like Cheerios are loaded with the stuff and I get a bad sugar crash afterwards if I haven't eaten anything with more protein in in before lunch.

You can also make your own granola without too much difficulty or cost and then eat the breakfast foods that you like the best, all the time.
posted by jessamyn at 6:01 AM on February 17, 2006

General rule of thumb: if it is very healthy it is expensive and not sweet. I like Bran nuggets because they do not get soggy and mushy when the weather is humid or warm. My son, a health freak, finds stuff at Trader Joe's but I avoid these items as un-American because overly healthy.
posted by Postroad at 6:23 AM on February 17, 2006

Porridge oats, tablespoon of honey, a good dusting of cinnamon, semi-skimmed milk, microwave for about 4 minutes. Cheap, healthy and incredibly filling.
posted by TheDonF at 6:46 AM on February 17, 2006

I'll add my vote for Cracklin' Oat Bran, also.

Not only does it taste good (sweet, but not on a Lucky Charms-level), it's so hearty and full of fiber that I feel full for _hours_ after eating just one smallish size bowl in the morning. Interestingly, a friend once warned me that I'd crap myself if I ate too much of it, on account of the fiber thing, but this has yet to happen.

Try a box of it; I bet you'll love it, too.
posted by porntips guzzardo at 6:55 AM on February 17, 2006

I make steel cut oats every three days and refrigerate it. If it gets a little dry by the third day you can add a little soy milk. If you start to get bored with the same old flavor you can always add different nuts, fruits, brown sugar, etc. My favorite is ground flaxseeds.
posted by any major dude at 6:56 AM on February 17, 2006

Oatmeal, Cheerios, Shredded Wheat With Bran (with a little sugar)
posted by rxrfrx at 7:02 AM on February 17, 2006

i quite like the Optimum Orangic Cereals. especially the Optimum Zen one with dried ginger and cranberry. the Optimum Power one is rather tasty also though. good for you, good for the earth and tasty very yummy also.
posted by annoyance at 7:04 AM on February 17, 2006

I'm a big fan of the Bear Naked granola with yogurt (soy in my case). I think the yogurt is better for you than milk (helpful wee bacteria) and it suits the granola better.
posted by dame at 7:25 AM on February 17, 2006

I've been on a weetabix kick lately. It tastes good with yogurt, and is a nice change when you want something more bar-like. It's british, but it's available in my grocery store. I'd second Kashi, though you may need to try more than one to find your fav (heart2heart is the only one I like). A friend was a big fan of Puffins cereal.
posted by ejaned8 at 7:26 AM on February 17, 2006

My wife and I like regular Shredded Wheat (with Bran if you like) in the big toasted biscuit variety. Sprinkle with a little brown sugar, add warm milk.

Mmm... Hot and just a bit sweet.
posted by WinnipegDragon at 7:32 AM on February 17, 2006

You have a Trader Joe's near you? Try some of the Barbara's brand cereals. They are really tasty, and healthy, and not more money than the GM/Post/Kellogs crapola. We especially like "Puffins".
posted by Kirth Gerson at 7:38 AM on February 17, 2006

Another Trader Joe's recommendation:

Mix roughly equal parts Just Clusters (pecan maple whatever it is) with their Chunky Applesauce.

Put the applesauce in the microwave for about a minute before adding the Clusters, just to warm it up a bit.

Delicious.
posted by elisabeth r at 7:52 AM on February 17, 2006

Just Right (though I've switched to Cookie Crisp recently and that only makes one of your qualifications. Pretty high bar).
posted by yerfatma at 8:05 AM on February 17, 2006

My definition of a healthy cereal is the absolute lowest sugar content and low calories. Granola therefore, is not healthy. I have been sticking with Chex which is good and has a great texture, doesn't get soggy in milk. I usually mix it with something like grape nuts to add a little crunchiness. In Spain I always ate a great mix which I am unable to find here which consists of rolled oats, some sort of toasted bran strings, sunflower seeds, a few wheat flakes, and even brewers yeast thrown in. You can always throw in some raisins, chopped dates, or other chopped dried fruits in for flavor. Mixtures rule instead of a plain, homogenous cereal.
posted by JJ86 at 8:17 AM on February 17, 2006

Spoon sized shredded wheat. With blueberries or banana. one of the few cereals with no sugar or salt.
posted by doctor_negative at 8:42 AM on February 17, 2006

I'm a big fan of Honey Nut Cheerios. Total is pretty good too, but I'm stay away from their honey/nut flavored version. It's got kind of an Elmer's glue taste to it. Yick.
If you want healthy, stay away from instant oatmeal. It's all sugar. Same with orange juice that you buy from the store.
posted by NoMich at 9:09 AM on February 17, 2006

Smart Start is not too soggy, not too hard, a little sweet, and delicious.
posted by nadawi at 9:16 AM on February 17, 2006

Another vote for Kashi GoLean Crunch: it's everything a cereal should be. Sweetish, but high in protein (for a cereal) and very...well, crunchy. Nice and filling. Smart Start's also good, but in my experience, it gets soggy quickly.
posted by Vervain at 9:26 AM on February 17, 2006

The wife and I both love the hell out of Basic Four.
It's never on sale, though.
posted by willpie at 9:45 AM on February 17, 2006

I switched from Barbara's to Total because of the incredible difference in nutritional values. I'd seen it recommended for a person who was having a hard time with his multi-vitamins (I'm having the same problem.) I think it's awfully tasty, and consider it my daily supplement to a very good diet.

Dunno about nutritional values here, but I've also done the bulk oatmeal cereal mixes in the past. That stuff really stays with you. It may be high in sugars and fats, though, depending on what you get.

If you're having trouble with the blandness with some healthy cereals, consider adding a touch of honey.
posted by moira at 9:47 AM on February 17, 2006

Kashi Heart to Heart, Uncle Sam Cereal, Kashi Autumn Wheat (lightly sweetened shredded wheat - organic), Basic Four. Cracklin' Oat Bran tastes great but from what I recall it's very high in sugar (which to me disqualifies it as a "health" cereal.)

I highly recommend soymilk (Silk is one of the best-tasting) instead of regular milk. Regular milk has pus ("somatic cells"), antibiotics, hormones, and the calcium in milk actually isn't absorbed as well as you might think. (I once wanted to major in nutrition but changed for lack of a medical school in my area).

You can also try making smoothies in the morning - those are really the "Breakfast of Champions" IMHO. An example recipe: 1-2 cups apple juice, 1-2 cups frozen strawberries, 1-2 bananas, optional ice cubes for thickness, optional frozen yogurt (vanilla), 1-2tbsp. protein powder, 1-2tbsp. honey and/or a few drops of stevia liquid extract, 1-2tsp. ground golden flax seeds, 1-2tsp. powdered greens such as spirulina and wheat grass, 1-2tsp. wheat germ and/or nutritional yeast.... You can also break open a multivitamin capsule and put that in there. You won't taste the 'healthy stuff' when you mix it with sweet fruity goodness. This will keep your blood sugar balanced and you feeling full for about 4 hours. I have this almost every single day for breakfast.
posted by mojabunni at 10:25 AM on February 17, 2006

2nd vote for steel cut oats. Although I haven't tried making them in advance. They take about 30 minutes to make. They are delicious and I seriously doubt you can find anything healthier. Get them at Whole Foods market or on the internets.
posted by jockc at 10:26 AM on February 17, 2006

Of course, since Ithaca doesn't have Whole Foods or Trader Joe's, you can easily find steel-cut oats in the bulk bins at Wegmans and Greenstar.
posted by stefnet at 10:34 AM on February 17, 2006

Piping in again to second mojabunni on the smoothie thing. I do a combination cereal (Total) plus smoothie for breakfast daily. If you've got a couple of extra minutes, it's very doable.

Mine's much simpler, so not as heavy on the nutrition as mojabunni's, but still good stuff. I dump a total of about 1.5 to 2 cups frozen fruit (I like a combination of strawberries and mangoes, to hit the Vit. A and C groups), about 3/4 cup yogurt, at least 1/2 cup sliced raw almonds, and some pure fruit juice, milk, soy milk, or some combination of those for liquidity. I mix with a hand blender, rinse, and go. This ends up making about 12 oz. of yummy stuff.
posted by moira at 11:30 AM on February 17, 2006

Chop up a banana in oatmeal before cooking.

also (what previous replier suggested) hot grapenuts!
posted by delladlux at 11:39 AM on February 17, 2006

Speaking of soy milk, I find that Basic Four goes delightfully with 8th Continent original flavor. I'm partial to the nonfat kind.
posted by willpie at 11:46 AM on February 17, 2006

fresh strawberries and bananas cut up over yogurt on top of granola.
posted by matkline at 11:58 AM on February 17, 2006

Ack, yes, bulk granola cereals is what I meant to say in my first post. Not oatmeal. Not that there's anything wrong with oatmeal.
posted by moira at 12:39 PM on February 17, 2006

If you live near a Trader Joe's, stop in and buy a few boxes of Organic Morning Lite cereal. Very yummy and very healthy for you as well.
posted by camworld at 1:19 PM on February 17, 2006

I'd just like to put in a little note to watch out for partially hydrogenated oils in cereals. Even in the "healthy" sorts. They're bad stuff. A lot of people don't realize that they're in cereals, too. Ultimately, read your labels.
posted by viachicago at 1:41 PM on February 17, 2006

Such passion for breakfast. Thanks for the suggestions!
posted by bargex at 2:45 PM on February 17, 2006

thirding the steel cut oats recommendation. it's my favorite breakfast ever.
posted by makonan at 4:22 PM on February 17, 2006

I'm another Optimum fan - Optimum Zen is good; I tend to mix it with Optimum Slim. I picked these because I was looking for a high-fiber cereal; they both seem to be among the highest, and they actually taste pretty good (unlike others that I tried).
posted by WestCoaster at 5:40 PM on February 17, 2006

Since you said you have access to a Wegmans try Wegman's own Granola. It's in the cereal aisle. They got regular and stuff with raisins. Avoid the raisins one, it's not as good as the regular stuff. They usually sell them 2 for $5. Tasty stuff!

Other than that, I would recommend Smart Start. That stuff is good!
posted by punkrockrat at 7:54 AM on February 18, 2006

1. Cheerios
2. steel-cut oats....takes longer but well worth it
posted by neuron at 8:59 PM on February 19, 2006