Your morning bowl of cereal might be hurting your health! This post will share the 14 Best Healthy Cereal brands, what to avoid while shopping, and how to pick the best healthy breakfast cereal.
A quick bowl of cereal is one of the easiest ways to fuel up in the morning, especially when you're in a rush (hello, start of the school year!).
Cereal is fast, convenient, and can be a healthy/energizing breakfast. The thing is, certain brands do the opposite. Some cereals are unhealthy (AKA processed), not very energizing, and lead to sugar crashes a few hours later.
While certain breakfast cereals are marketed as good options, I've found many brands misleading. That's why I've written this post. To better educate myself and you on the Top 14 Healthiest Breakfast Cereals.
If you found the Best Healthy Cereals to be helpful, you would find How To Pick The Best Canned Tuna At The Store, 7 Best Kombucha Brands, Top 7 Best Pasta Sauces, and my post Top 10 Best Deli Meats helpful as well.
Whether you like oats, rice crisps, fruits and nuts, fruity flavors, or chocolate...there's something for you in this post.
In This Post You'll Find:
14 Healthiest Cereals
- One Degree Sprouted Brown Rice Cacao Crisps
- Nature's Path Smart Bran
- Nature's Path Flax Plus Raisin Bran
- Kashi Go Original
- Kashi Honey Almond Flax Crunch
- Alpen Muesli
- Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Muesli
- Barbara's Original Morning Oat Crunch Cereal
- Cascadian Farm Organic Purely O's
- Purely Elizabeth Ancient Grain Granola
- Grape Nuts
- Kashi Organic Honey Toasted Oat Cereal
- Ezekiel 4:9 Flax & Chia Sprouted Flake Cereal
- Ezekiel 4:9 Flax Sprouted Whole Grain Cereal
What Is The Healthiest Cereal To Eat?
The healthiest cereals are whole-grain or high-fiber breakfast cereals. Whole grains can help decrease cardiovascular problems and cancer risk by 9%. I't's also important to loof for healthy cereal options that are low in added sugar.
Look for a cereal that is a good source of protein too. Protein keeps you full according to reliable studies. One way cereals can provide protein is when they contain seeds or nuts, which are also a good source of healthy fats.
Let's get to the good stuff! Here are the 14 healthiest breakfast cereals I found in the supermarket...
1. One Degree Sprouted Brown Rice Cacao Crisps
Ingredients: Organic Sprouted Whole Grain Brown Rice, Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Cacao, Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Sunflower Lecithin, Unrefined Salt, Tocopherols (Vitamin E).
This One Degree product is one of my favorite cereals for taste! These cacao crisps are 100% organic, vegan, and non-GMO. They are made with whole oats (which we already know are super good) and sprouted chickpeas (which have their own beneficial nutritional profile).
2. Nature's Path Smart Bran
Ingredients: Wheat Bran, Oat Fiber, Cane Sugar, Psyllium Seed Husk, Barley Malt Extract, Oat Bran, Whole Oat Flour, Sea Salt.
Smart Bran is a wonderful option if you want more fiber! In a ¾ cup serving size, you already get 17 grams of fiber, which is 70% of the recommended daily intake for women! The high fiber content reduces the blood glucose spike. It's organic, too.
3. Nature's Path Flax Plus Raisin Bran
Ingredients: Whole wheat meal, raisins (coated with sunflower oil), wheat bran, cane sugar, flax seeds, oat bran, barley malt extract, sea salt, tocopherols (vitamin E).
Conventional raisin bran is a classic favorite...but it isn't exactly the best option. This healthy alternative by Nature's path has WAY less sugar (only 7.2 grams per serving compared to Kellogg's 18 grams per per serving). It also has more protein and good polyunsaturated fat to keep you fuller longer.
4. Kashi Go Rise
Ingredients: Soy protein concentrate, degeminated yellow corn flour, Kashi Seven Whole Grain Honey Puff cereal, ground degeminated corn, wheat bran, oat fiber, cane sugar, expeller pressed soy flour, corn bran, Kashi Seven Whole Grain & Sesame Flour, salt, natural flavors.
These multigrain crisps are packed with flavor and crunch. Pretty much everything you'd want in a breakfast cereal. One serving contains 46% of your required daily fiber, and 17% of your recommended protein.
5. Kashi Go Play Honey Almond Flax Crunch
Ingredients: Kashi Seven Whole Grains and Sesame blend, soy flakes, brown rice syrup, cane sugar, chicory root fiber, almonds, whole flax seeds, whole grain oats, expeller pressed canola oil, honey, salt, natural flavors.
Learn more about the benefits of flaxseed in this post. This Kashi cereal makes it easy to eat with crunchy clusters, honey, and almonds. Not only the great taste, but 9 grams of protein and the benefits of omega-3 make this a healthy choice. It does have 10g of added sugars in a serving, though.
6. Alpen Muesli
Ingredients: Rolled Whole Oat Flakes, Whole Wheat, Raisins (may be coated with Expeller Pressed Canola or Sunflower Oil), Brown Sugar, Whole Barley, Skim Milk Powder, Roasted Hazelnuts, Malt Extract, Sliced Almonds.
This non-GMO muesli contains raisins, hazelnuts, almonds, and whole grain flakes. And is super good combined with yogurt and fresh fruit.
A nice thing about this cereal is that the added sugar content is on the lower side, with only 4 grams in a 60-gram serving. They also have a no-sugar-added option if you'd like to try that.
7. Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Muesli
Ingredients: Whole Grain Gluten Free Rolled Oats, Raisins, Sunflower Seeds, Dried Cranberries (Cranberries, Sugar, Sunflower Oil), Dried Apples, Brown Rice Crisps, Dry Roasted Soy Beans, Almonds, Coconut And Pumpkin Seeds.
This gluten-free muesli is packed with nuts and seeds. It's made of hearty whole grains, protein-rich nuts, seeds and naturally dried fruit. And only 2 grams of added sugars for a serving size of 60 grams. With protein, healthy fiber and fat, you're good to go.
8. Barbara's Original Morning Oat Crunch Cereal
Ingredients: Whole oat flour, whole wheat flour, evaporated cane sugar, barley malt extract, unsulfured molasses, baking soda, sea salt, vitamin C, tocopherols.
This cereal satisfies a good crunch craving. Barbara's Oat Crunch is Non-GMO, vegan, and fiber. This cereal has boosted protein with the addition of pea protein (read my post on the awesomeness of pea protein). This cereal is on the higher side with 10 grams of added sugars per 60 grams serving, so not ideal for those who want to minimize sugar intake.
9. Cascadian Farm Organic Purely O's
Ingredients: Whole Grain Oats, Whole Grain Barley, Wheat Starch, Malted Barley Extract, Sea Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Oats, Malted Barley, Vitamin E
A healthier alternative to Cheerios right here! This cereal is USDA approved organic, crunchy, and sweet (without containing alarming amounts of hidden sugars). The total sugars are just 1 gram so that’s pretty awesome for a cereal. And polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are the only fats you’ll see here!
10. Purely Elizabeth Ancient Grain Granola
Ingredients: Organic Gluten-Free Oats, Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Raw Virgin Coconut Oil, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Puffed Amaranth, Organic Quinoa Flakes, Organic Chia Seeds, Organic Cinnamon, Salt.
The Purely Elizabeth Ancient Grain Granola is very low in sugar compared to most granolas on the market. They also use organic coconut sugar, which means a lower glycemic index.
11. Grape Nuts
Ingredients: Whole Grain Wheat, Wheat Flour, Sugar, Malted Barley Flour, Canola Oil, Salt. Reduced Iron, Zinc Oxide, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin A Palmitate, Thiamin Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3.
My kiddos and I LOVE Grape Nuts. I'm happy about that because they have ZERO added sugars, 6 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber in a 58g serving. That's pretty amazing and when the kids ask for it for breakfast, I don't hesitate.
12. Ezekiel Organic Honey Toasted Oat Cereal
Ingredients: Whole oat flour, degerminated yellow cornmeal, invert cane syrup, oat fiber, honey, salt, expeller pressed canola oil, natural flavors, iron (ferric phosphate), mixed tocopherols.
This cereal is a terrific alternative for kids who ask for a honey nut cheerio type of breakfast. With 7 grams of added sugars in a 42g serving, it's much lower than the 12 grams or more in similar cereals. Iron-rich and low in sodium, it's got protein too.
13. Ezekiel 4:9 Flax & Chia Sprouted Flake Cereal
Ingredients: Organic Sprouted Wheat, Organic Sprouted Barley, Organic Sprouted Millet, Organic Sprouted Lentils, Organic Sprouted Soybeans, Organic Sprouted Spelt),Organic Malted Barley, Organic Agave, Organic Flax Seeds, Organic Chia Seeds, Sea Salt, Organic Rosemary Extract.
Nutrients include healthy fat sources, like chia seeds and flax seeds. This cereal does have 6 grams of added sugar which is a bit higher than other options.
14. Ezekiel 4:9 Flax Sprouted Whole Grain Cereal
Ingredients: Organic Sprouted Wheat, Organic Golden Flax Seeds, Organic Sprouted Barley, Organic Sprouted Millet, Organic Sprouted Lentils, Organic Sprouted Soybeans, Organic Malted Barley, Organic Sprouted Spelt, Filtered Water, Sea Salt, Organic Rosemary Extract.
This is my go-to cereal! Eight grams of protein, 7 grams of fiber, and 3 grams of fat in a 57g serving. As for sugar, it only has 1 gram of added sugar. And it's really tasty!
More Healthy Breakfast Ideas
Your breakfast should be satiating, energy-giving, and something that helps you keep on track with your goals...not a bowl full of fake coloring and processed sugar.
Here are some other healthy and energizing options to fuel a wonderful morning...
Googaholic
Surprisingly easy way to make healthy cereals like bran flakes and plain cheerios good without adding sugar. Add peanut butter.
Peanut butter gets made just by grinding peanuts for a bit. Wouldn't call that processed. It's generally agreed to be healthy.
Peanut butter adding healthy fats to the cereal slows digestion. Which reduces how much the cereal increases our blood sugar. A.K.A improving a food's glycemic index score. And keeps you full longer.
Tip, mixing peanut butter with cereal can be a bit of a pain. Helps to put the peanut butter in the bowl, then microwave it for 20 seconds before mixing the cereal in. Softens up the peanut butter before mixing it with cereal.
Option, if you want to make it even healthier, can mix psyllium and/or flax seeds in with the peanut butter. It's like adding natural fiber and omega 3 supplements.
Lacey Baier
I've never thought of adding peanut butter to cereal before! Great idea, though it should be noted that we want to choose natural peanut butter without added sugars and oils. 🙂
Dana
It is very hard to find healthy cereals. I am surprised you didn't include Ezekiel cereals or Arrowhead Mills organic flakes. Each of these have very little sugar.
Lacey Baier
I'm not familiar with Arrowhead Mills, but I do have Ezekial options later in the list 🙂
Jon Dibenedetto
Bols Original granola.
Jon Dibenedetto
Bols Original granola.
Ashley
I'm 34 pounds down this year with Granola and Exipure. I also try to get around 5-10k steps in per day.
Lacey Baier
That's awesome, Ashley!
Vernon Rutherford
I recently had a heart attack, I want to know what cereals and milk I can eat
Lacey Baier
I always encourage you to speak with your doctor about your unique situation, though finding low sugar, higher protein, and higher fiber breakfasts is a great idea to improve overall heart health.
Cal
Now how about doing the same article, but with products that don't require us to be rich?
Lacey Baier
You might be interested in these posts: https://www.asweetpeachef.com/healthy-eating-on-a-budget/ and I hope this helps. That being said, a good bowl of oatmeal with a little pure maple syrup and grass0fed butter will also do the trick for a great breakfast 🙂
Methewjosh
thank you
Lacey Baier
You're so welcome!
sofia
If you're looking for a healthy breakfast, you don't have to skip cereal. In fact, there are many healthy breakfast cereals on the market.
Lacey Baier
I agree - you just have to know how to find them 🙂
Dwayne Zacharias
We always avoid Kashi cereal because they are typically loaded with gmo soy. Never a good option especially for young boys/ men.
Lacey Baier
This article is focused more on the sugar and nutritional benefits of the cereals and not on GMOs, but thank you for sharing your opinion.