How Do I Find a Healthy Cereal?

Q: How do I know if I'm buying a good cereal? I bought one that had oats in it but then noticed it's really high in sugar.

A: With so many cereals to choose from, it's easy to get confused. One cereal box promotes its oat clusters, another says it has antioxidants, and yet another shows the cereal in a heart-shaped bowl to imply that it's heart-healthy.

To get past the hype, check the ingredients. The fewer ingredients, the better. Look for cereals made with whole grain wheat or wheat bran. Sugar should be far down on the ingredient list, not second or third. Also, check the Nutrition Facts box. A good cereal has at least 5 grams of fiber per serving and less than 10 grams of sugar.

My favorite cold cereals:
Kashi GoLean
Kashi Heart to Heart
Post Shredded Wheat n' Bran

For more on breakfast, check out our top heart-healthy cereals.

Stephanie Karpinske, M.S., R.D., writes about weight loss, nutrition, and health issues. Her mission is to help others lead healthier lives.