Breakfast Cereals That Are Easy to Digest

Don't always believe the hype on cereal boxes. We set the nutrition facts straight and found the healthiest (and unhealthiest) cereals at the supermarket.

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In general, to choose a healthy cereal, you'll to do a little investigating on the food label. (Learn the 8 ways your nutrition label could be misleading you.) Don't always believe the hype on cereal boxes. Get those nutrition facts. What should you look for? First, check out the fiber content. Your goal should be at least 4 grams of fiber in a serving. Second, the less added sugar, the better. So, aim for less than 8 total grams to keep added sugar at a minimum. Third, go for whole grain ingredients. We've done a little investigating ourselves to find the most healthy cereals on the market.

The 5 Healthiest Cereals

Shredded Wheat

Those classic big biscuits have graced breakfast bowls for decades. With an impressive 6 grams of fiber and a super short list of ingredients (wheat and one preservative), shredded wheat is a super healthy cereal. Top it with fresh or frozen berries for an extra boost of antioxidants and fiber. Filling, simple and delicious. Find more healthy breakfasts here.

Oatmeal

It's true that the soluble fiber in oatmeal assists in lowering cholesterol levels. Another beautiful fact about oatmeal is that it's a blank canvas. Try a bowl of steel-cut oats with crunchy walnuts and dried cranberries or a savory version of quick oats with spices and avocado; the options really are endless. Try these Grandma-approved oatmeal recipes.

Barbara's High Fiber Cereal

As a northern California company that started small over 40 years ago, Barbara's is committed to simple and wholesome ingredients. The High Fiber Medley provides an incredible 14 grams of fiber per serving, with 5 grams of protein. A variety of whole grains–including oats, wheat and corn–combine into a crunchy and nutritious morning meal.

Cheerios

Skip the flavored varieties and stick to the classic O's loved by all ages. Cheerios contain only 100 calories per serving and 3 grams of fiber. Bonus–this healthy cereal is a great source of several vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc, vitamin B6 and folic acid. Super versatile, Cheerios can be used in snack mixes, granola bar recipes or snacks for your toddler straight out of the package.

Fiber One

One of the highest fiber cereals you can find, Fiber One offers 14 grams in just a ½-cup serving. It's slightly sweetened with sucralose, so none of that yucky high fructose corn syrup. Fiber One recipes for muffins, bars, breads and snack mixes are abundant. As a breakfast cereal, it'll keep you full for hours.

The 5 Cereals You May Want to Avoid

Sugary cereals laden with marshmallows and chocolate are obviously poor choices. But, these are sneakier–they sound great, but really aren't so hot if you're looking for the most nutritious bowl. Save these cereals for a once-in-a-while breakfasts.

Granola

Sure, there are healthy versions out there, but diligence in label reading is a must. Avoid the ultra-sweet clusters, which tend to be high in fat and sugar. Excessive amounts of nuts, dried fruits and seeds amp up the calorie level. A little of these gems are wonderful, but too much of a good thing is real. Don't use up all of your calories in your first meal of the day. Try making your own (it's easy)!

Cracklin' Oat Bran

The name sounds like a super heart-healthy cereal, right? Look closely: One serving has 4 grams of saturated fat (as much as a teaspoon of butter) and 19 grams of sugar (that's nearly 4 teaspoons)!

Sugary Raisin Bran

Unfortunately, several raisin bran manufacturers coat their raisins in sugar, bursting the limit for a breakfast cereal. If you like the high fiber, naturally-sweet flavor of raisins in your cereal, add natural raisins to your cereal yourself. You'll save lots of calories from excess sugar and still reap the fiber benefits of the dried fruit.

Kellogg's Smart Start

Despite its intelligent sounding name, it's not a smart choice at all. With 14 grams of sugar in a serving, the antioxidants and protein it touts on the box just aren't worth it.

So, remember, don't believe the hype on the front of the box. Take time to read the nutrition label and ingredients to find the smartest cereal choices out there. And don't forget to use low-fat or fat-free milk over your cereal and top it off with some fresh berries for even more nutrition.

Note: Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Cereal Isn't Just for Breakfast

Peanut Butter, Krispies and Chocolate Sandwich

This crispy, chocolaty sandwich is like a Saturday-morning cartoon breakfast without the bowl. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor

Easy Crunch Berry Pie

This is a fresh, simple approach to making a company-worthy pie. The playful Cap'n Crunch cereal crust is fun to bite into, and it's the perfect complement to a mixed berry no-bake filling. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Sweet & Salty Peanut Butter Bites

My son Micah and I love peanut butter cups, so we made them into a new treat. We entered these peanut butter no bake cookies in a creative baking contest and won first place! —Autumn Emigh, Gahanna, Ohio

Cereal & Milk Ice Cream Sandwiches

Go ahead and buy those sweet cereals you normally stay away from. This is dessert! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Caliente Cheese Crisps

To fire up the crowd, I pack these homemade crackers with bacon, pumpkin seeds and French-fried onion rings. Dunk them in picante sauce. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota

Fruity No-Bake Cookies

Keep your kitchen cool with these freezer cookies made with fruity cereal. They're extra sweet and even more fun for kids to help make.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Pumpkin Pie Tartlets with Maple Pecan Crust

After discovering I had multiple food sensitivities, I began developing holiday recipes that would be safe for me, but enjoyable for others, too. These tarts are delicious—with no gluten, eggs or dairy! —Chantale Michaud, Guelph, Ontario

Really Good Snack Mix

I grew tired of my family picking through a snack mix for their favorite ingredients and leaving the rest. So I experimented using only their most-loved mix-ins and came up with this recipe. Now there's never any left! —Lori Genske, Waldo, Wisconsin

Chocolate Marshmallow Peanut Butter Squares

I combined a couple of recipes to create these crunchy, chocolaty peanut butter marshmallow bars that burst with flavor. The bars could also pass for fudge! —Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania

Peanut Butter-Banana Yogurt Parfaits

For a lightning-fast breakfast, I layer vanilla yogurt with bananas, peanuts and multigrain cereal. It's crunchy, easy and perfect for kids.—Teresa Miller, Hamilton, Indiana

Breaded Ranch Chicken

A crunchy coating of cornflakes and Parmesan cheese adds delectable flavor to this zesty ranch chicken. The golden, crispy chicken is a mainstay dish I can always count on. —Launa Shoemaker, Landrum, South Carolina

Nutty Rice Krispie Cookies

My mom and I used to prepare these Rice Krispie cookies for Christmas every year. Making them with just the microwave means they're super easy and fun to mix with the kids. —Savanna Chapdelaine, Orlando, Florida

Fudgy S'mores Brownies

I combined the perfect summer snack with my favorite brownie recipe to get these s'mores brownies. They're sure to wow at your next big party. —Judy Cunningham, Max, North Dakota

Green Bean Casserole

Not Your Mama's Seven-Layer Bars

The addition of dulce de leche makes this a decadent new take on traditional seven-layer bars. You can cut this recipe in half and make it in an 8x8-in. pan. —Andrea Barlow, Hot Springs, Arkansas

Ice Cream Cone Treats

I came up with this recipe as a way for my grandkids to enjoy Rice Krispies treats without getting sticky hands. You can also pack the cereal mixture into paper cups and insert a wooden pop stick to create cute pops. —Mabel Nolan, Vancouver, Washington

Cheese Crispies

For years I've taken these crispy, crunchy snacks to work. They get high marks from everybody in the teachers lounge. —Eileen Ball, Cornelius, North Carolina

Peanut Butter Cereal Treats

Kids will love these colorful, crunchy bars. They're a fun twist on the traditional marshmallow crispy treats…and because they're so easy, older kids could whip up a batch on their own! —Christie Porter, Shipshewana, Indiana

Turkey Cakes

I watched a chef make crab cakes and decided to try it with turkey and stuffing. Now the kids request them year-round, so I buy cooked turkey. —Suzee Krebs, Brielle, New Jersey

Cornflake-Coated Crispy Bacon

I've loved my aunt's crispy-coated bacon ever since I was a child. Now I've shared the super simple recipe with my own children. We still enjoy a big panful every Christmas morning—and on many other days throughout the year! —Brenda Severson, Norman, Oklahoma

Frozen Banana Cereal Pops

When we want a healthy snack, we dip bananas in yogurt, roll 'em in cereal, then freeze. Ta-da! —Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia

Crunch Candy

Treat family and friends to a yummy brittle for the holidays. Made with cashews and Rice Krispies, it's loaded with crispy-crunchy goodness. —Amanda McLemore, Maryville, Tennessee

Crispy Peanut Butter Balls

I make more than 40 different types of treats during the holidays for friends and family. These crispy peanut butter balls with crispy rice cereal are one of my favorite candies to give away as gifts.—Liz David, St. Catharines, Ontario

Fried Ice Cream Dessert Bars

Fried ice cream is such a delicious treat, but it can be a hassle to make individual servings. This recipe gives you the same fabulous flavor in an easy and convenient bar form. —Andrea Price, Grafton, Wisconsin

Chocolate Malt Crispy Bars

These chunky, chewy squares are a feast for the eyes. Malted milk flavor coats this treat from top to bottom. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Scalloped Sweet Corn Casserole

This is my Grandma Ostendorf's corn recipe I grew up enjoying. Now a grandmother myself, I still serve this comfy, delicious side as a family classic. —Lonnie Hartstack, Clarinda, Iowa

Crispy Pretzel Bars

I often make a big batch of these peanut butter-flavored cereal bars on days that I don't want to heat up the kitchen. Kids especially love them, so they're great for picnics, potlucks and school bake sales. —Jane Thompson, Eureka, Illinois

Fish and Fries

"Tuck in" as if you're in a traditional British pub. These oven-baked, moist fish fillets have a fuss-free coating that's healthy but just as crunchy and golden as the deep-fried kind. Simply seasoned and also baked, the crispy fries are perfect on the side. —Janice Mitchell, Aurora, Colorado

Pear Raspberry Crisp

We grow our own luscious red raspberries and feast on them fresh and freeze them for winter. This recipe combines the berries with fresh pears and a crunchy cereal topping. —Fancheon Resler, Bluffton, Indiana

Ham Balls with Brown Sugar Glaze

These smoky-sweet meatballs are a Pennsylvania Dutch specialty. I like setting them out when folks come to visit. —Janet Zeger, Middletown, Pennsylvania

French Toast Sticks

Keep these French toast sticks in the freezer for an instant filling breakfast. Their convenient size makes them ideal for a breakfast buffet. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Fudge Sundae Pie

My son always asks for this guilt-free frozen yogurt pie for his birthday. Complete with peanut butter, fudge topping and nuts, it tastes ice cream parlor-good…but it's healthier. —Margaret Hanson-Maddox, Montpelier, Indiana

Cauliflower Casserole

To dress up cauliflower, Mom used a delightful mixture of a cheesy sauce, bright red and green pepper pieces, and crushed cornflakes. We enjoyed this casserole so much that leftovers were rare. -Linda McGinty, Parma, Ohio

Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars

My twist on rice crispy bars includes crunchy crushed pretzels. Then I top them with a creamy peanut butter coating and rich chocolate topping. Garnished with peanuts and even more pretzels, I don't think I'd ever go back to plain old bars again. —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin

Chocolate Almond Drops

So much rich, chocolaty flavor, so little time! My trufflelike cookies are deceptively easy to make and look so elegant on a party tray. —Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota

Brunch Casserole

No one leaves the table hungry when I serve this savory casserole. In fact, folks rave about it! What I like as much as the taste is that I can prepare it ahead of time. —Mary Eckler, Louisville, Kentucky

No-Bake Cookie Butter Blossoms

Chewy and sweet, these easy treats mix Rice Krispies, cookie spread and chocolate kisses in an unforgettable spin on an old favorite. —Jessie Sarrazin, Livingston, Montana

Pecan-Crusted Chicken Nuggets

I loved chicken nuggets as a child. This baked version is healthier than the original, and it's a great meal for kids. — Haili Carroll, Valencia, California

Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

These chewy peanut butter chocolate bars are the perfect no-fuss contribution to a potluck or bake sale. I've discovered the trick is to get them into the refrigerator to set up before they disappear! —Lorri Speer, Centralia, Washington

Favorite Meat Loaf Cups

My family enjoys meat loaf, but sometimes I can't spare the hour or more it takes to bake in the traditional shape. A quick alternative is to divide the meat mixture into muffin cups for individual servings that are ready in less than 30 minutes. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

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Source: https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/healthy-cereal/

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