The Skinny on Cereal: 6 Steps to a Better Breakfast
Even "healthy" brands often sneak in extra calories and sugar (47g carbs, anyone?). The solution: this hearty DIY blend. Here are 6 tips for a better bowl.
Lay A Healthy Foundation
Start out with plain, unsweetened, 100-percent puffed whole grains like wheat, rice, oats, corn, or barley. The fiber and complex carbs will keep you full and energized until lunchtime (60 calories for 1 cup).
Pour It On
Ramp up the protein and calcium with skim or soy milk, or a dollop of plain, nonfat yogurt (40 to 70 calories for 1/2 cup). Can't stomach dairy milk? Check out this simple guide to find the best milk for you.
Find the best breakfast for you, whether you're an AM gym goer or running out the door.
Go Nutty
To torch belly fat and reduce inflammation—while adding crunch—toss in a handful of heart-healthy almonds or walnuts (65 to 80 calories for 2 tablespoons).
Here are 10 nutritious meals to make out of pistachios, pecans, almonds, and more!
Spice It Up
For some near-zero-cal zing, sprinkle on a teaspoon of cinnamon (which contains as many antioxidants as half a cup of blueberries), or experiment with ground ginger, nutmeg, or cloves (6 calories for 1 teaspoon).
Add Seeds
Mix in some flaxseeds for a concentrated dose of omega-3s, antioxidants, and fiber (56 calories for 1 tablespoon).
Pack In The Produce
Get the sweetness (and extra satiating fiber) from fresh or dried fruit instead of refined sugar (50 to 130 calories for 1 cup fresh; 25 to 55 calories for 1/8 cup dried).
Bonus: Behind The Box
Sticking with store-bought cereal? Here's how to tell if your morning fave is really a diet derailer.
1. Unrecognizable ingredients: Words like "maltodextrin," "BHT," or other mystery nouns mean you're filling up on chemicals.
2. Hidden sugars: "Crunch" or "clusters" in the product name is code for extra sucrose. Nix any brand that lists sugar as the number-one ingredient or contains the sweetener in its processed forms, like maltose or high-fructose corn syrup.
3. Wimpy grains: "Bran," "multigrain," "100% wheat," "cracked wheat"—all indicate refined products, which have fewer nutrients. The one word you want to have listed in front of any grain: "whole."
Shopper beware: Are you falling for these 10 food label lies?
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By Mallory Creveling
Even "healthy" brands often sneak in extra calories and sugar (47g carbs, anyone?). The solution: this hearty DIY blend. Here are six tips for a better bowl.
Check out our slideshow above to discover six tips for a better bowl of breakfast.