It makes sense to start off the day with a healthy breakfast, since your first meal often sets the standard for the rest of your day. Many people like having cereal as part of their daily breakfast. Some cereals are healthier than others, however. Not only are low nutritional cereals less good for you, but they are often less filling than healthier options. What are some types of healthy cereal you can consider serving to yourself or your family?
First, organic cereal is a good idea, especially for parents who are trying to give their children organic diets. It does not make sense to go organic for everything else, but not breakfast. Organic foods are beneficial because they lack the high levels of pesticides, growth hormones, and antibiotics that can be found in inorganic foods. These risks can be especially detrimental to children, whose bodies are still undergoing extensive growth.
Second, high fiber cereal is a good addition to any breakfast. Fiber can normalize bowel movements, lower cholesterol, help blood sugar, help with keeping a healthy body weight, and help maintain bowel health. High fiber foods are made up up roughage, which passes through your digestive track, and also helps to add bulk to foods, making them lower in calories by volume, yet allowing you to feel more full for a longer period of time.
Third, gluten free cereal is a great morning option for people with Celiac disease or who have gluten intolerance. Gluten free cereal can also be beneficial to individuals with multiple sclerosis, anemia, autism, cystic fibrosis, thyroid disease, ADHD and more. It is often difficult to tell if foods are gluten free if they are not labeled as such, since gluten is a common ingredient of many processed foods that do not label themselves as having gluten in particular. Gluten free cereal and other gluten food products are usually low in carbohydrates, encouraging people to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.
Fourth, whole grain cereal can be part of a health diet. Whole grains have been shown to reduce the risk of many ailments, including obesity, certain forms of cancer, heart disease, diabetes and more. They can also enable people to feel more full, reducing the rate of snacking or being hungry later in the day.
Organic, high fiber, whole grain, and gluten free cereals can all be positive additions to your morning.