Wake Up to a Healthier Breakfast Cereal

When was the last time you enjoyed a healthy breakfast? There are all kinds of healthy breakfasts, but enjoying a bowl of cereal for breakfast tops them all. Provided you choose the right breakfast cereal, that simple bowl of cereal and milk has everything you need to get your morning off the ground in a very good way.

Healthy Breakfast

There is nothing quite like a healthy breakfast. A hot breakfast has always been touted as the best, and still can be enjoyed today, as oatmeal, porridge or perhaps cream of wheat, with oatmeal topping the list as the healthiest. But even oats and milk are only optimally healthy if they are steel cut, organic and raw. Sometimes theres no time to make a hot bowl of cereal. Sometimes its just much easier to pick up a few cereal boxes and a gallon of milk and eat. And thats just what you should do! Who doesnt love breakfast cereals hot or cold? Based on the amount of cereal sold every day in the United States, we are not alone!

History of Breakfast Cereals

James Caleb Jackson can be patted on the back for inventing the wonderful breakfast food called cereal. Unfortunately, back in 1863 bran nuggets required a full night of soaking before theyd be soft enough to bite into. If you forgot to soak your bran, you could not have cereal in the morning. It wasnt long before Ferdinand Schumacher, president of the American Cereal Company came up with a new cereal, one that did not require pre-soaking. His cereal was made from oats and manufactured in Akron, Ohio. By 1879, cereal was being sold out of barrels by George H. Hoyt, who created a cereal called Wheatena, which was typically cracked wheat, oatmeal and cerealine (corn grits). Before long, Hoyt figured out how to bypass the barrel and instead package his cereal into boxes. In 1877, sanitarium operator, John Harvey Kellogg, created a biscuit for his patients who exhibited bowel disorders. He called it Granula (following a lawsuit, the name was changed to Granola). Granola was made out of ground wheat, corn and cornmeal. One night a batch of boiled wheat was rolled out and accidentally left until morning a mistake that helped him create one of his best sellers, Wheat Flakes, which was followed closely by his brothers Wills invention, Corn Flakes. Will continued making cereal and in 1906 founded the Kellogg Company in Battle Creek, Michigan where it remains and continues to crank out millions of cereal boxes every year.

What Makes a Good Cereal?

Certain supplements are necessary in a healthy cereal. The main ingredients are iron, calcium, vitamin C, folate, vitamin B12, protein and fiber. When these vitamins and supplements are present in your morning breakfast, you will be more apt to eat less fat and cholesterol throughout the day, have better concentration, maintain a normal weight a little easier, and also reduce your risk of heart disease. And thats just the healthy benefits. There is also the feel-good benefit that comes with a bowl of cereal that simply cannot be denied. Whether it is reminiscent of our childhood or it is simply good eats, Americans truly enjoy a bowl of cereal and milk in the morning. While the Kellogg Company is well-known as being among the first to officially start manufacturing breakfast cereals in boxes, the company has also gone on to become one of the most healthy manufacturers of breakfast cereals. Kelloggs knows how to incorporate plenty of good vitamins and minerals into their cereal. Topping the list of healthy breakfast cereals, based on taste as well as their good-for-you appeal, are several Kelloggs brands:

1. Kashi GoLean is perhaps the cereal thats best for you. Kashi was recently purchased by the Kelloggs Company. Kelloggs is currently working up a variety of different types of Kashi cereals, including crunchy versions. The current Kashi GoLean cereal has a mere 5 grams of sugar (heres hoping Kelloggs doesnt change that).
2. All Brand Buds (Kelloggs) contains lots of good stuff like plenty of fiber and protein, as well as being low in calories, fat and sugar.
3. Complete Oat Bran Flakes (Kelloggs), which not only tastes good and is high in fiber, but is also low in sodium and sugar.
4. Product 19 (Kelloggs) is low in sugar, fat-free, and filled with a lot of good vitamins.
5. Shredded Wheat (Post) both spoonful and whole is wonderful breakfast food. Not only does this cereal not have artificial sweeteners, dyes, sugar or sodium, its also high fiber and tastes great.

Sources: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/health-tip/HT00654/rss=1 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/food-and-nutrition/NU00197 http://www.livestrong.com/article/292874-list-of-healthy-breakfast-cereals/

Comment on HelloLife

What's YOUR take on this? Does it bring up any questions? Can you offer more information on this? Did you just enjoy reading it? Leave your comment here!

First Name:

Last Name:

Your Email:

Security Code:

Confirm Code:

You are at least 13 years of age and agree to our terms of service.

(All fields Reqiuired)