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How do I choose a healthy cereal?

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  1. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
     
    Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics answered:
    There is perhaps no greater variety at your supermarket than in the cereal aisle. Which to choose? Keep these tips in mind as you gaze down the endless cereal shelves:
    • Read the Nutrition Facts labels to compare nutrient content of products and pick those made with whole grains.
    • Some cereals are fortified with vitamins and minerals. Check the nutrients in fortified cereals. Most cereals supply approximately 25 percent of the Daily Value for vitamins and minerals, and some have much more.
    • Cereals that are good fiber sources supply at least 2.5 grams of fiber per serving; whole-grain cereals typically contain even more.
    • Don't assume cereals labeled "natural" or "granola" are necessarily more nutritious. Some of these products can be high in fat, sugars and sodium.
    • Adding low-fat milk or yogurt makes cereal a great source of calcium and other nutrients; that's why labels give information for both cereal only and with added milk.
    Helpful? 2 people found this helpful
    More Related Answers from Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
    There is perhaps no greater variety at your supermarket than in the cereal aisle. Which to choose? Keep these tips in mind as you gaze down the endless cereal shelves: Read the Nutrition Facts labels to compare nutrient content of products... More
  2. Amaris Noguera
     
    Amaris Noguera answered:

    Sugar is another ingredient to factor in. Added sugar, even when considering “whole grain” cereals, provides little but empty calories. Stick with cereals that have less than 9 grams of sugar per serving.

    Another method is to look at the ingredients list: if sugar is listed as one of the first two ingredients, you will know the product contains a high amount of sugar as ingredients are listed in order of predominance, with those ingredients used in the greatest amount listed first.

    Helpful? 1 person found this helpful
    More Related Answers from Amaris Noguera
    Sugar is another ingredient to factor in. Added sugar, even when considering “whole grain” cereals, provides little but empty calories. Stick with cereals that have less than 9 grams of sugar per serving. Another method is to look at the... More
  3. Heidi Skolnik
     
    Heidi Skolnik answered:

    To choose a healthy breakfast cereal, start by reading the label -- but don't stop there. Find out what else you should consider while perusing the cereal aisle by watching this video featuring sports medicine and nutrition specialist Heidi Skolnik.





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    More Related Answers from Heidi Skolnik
    To choose a healthy breakfast cereal, start by reading the label -- but don't stop there. Find out what else you should consider while perusing the cereal aisle by watching this video featuring sports medicine and nutrition specialist Heidi Skolnik.... More

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