Many people enjoy cereal as a delicious way to start the day. I might pour it into a bowl in the morning, but it’s usually in the afternoon that I crave the crunchy satisfaction that only cereal can provide. Nothing makes snacking more enjoyable than my favorite cereal. For me, it ticks all the boxes: delicious, nutritious, and satisfying. But there’s one cereal I keep reaching for. Cascadian Farm Sugar Free Mixed Berry Cereal.
Admittedly, I’m a bit of a picky eater when it comes to cereal. First of all, it should be crispy even when it’s swimming in milk. Second, it has to taste good. That doesn’t mean it has to be sweet, but it has to have a delicious flavor to keep things interesting. Finally, it has to be good for me (more on this in a moment). In short, it provides nutrients that help fuel my body for success. That’s a tall order, but Cascadian Farm’s No Added Sugar Mixed Berry Cereal accomplishes it all.
Why I love this cereal
I’m one of those nutritionists who picks up a box and immediately checks the nutrition label. When it comes to cereal, I usually check the serving size, fiber, sodium, added sugar, protein, and ingredient list. Here’s why my favorite cereal fits my goals in terms of nutrition and taste.
just the right amount of serving
When looking at the nutritional information on a cereal box, first look at the serving size. This is because portion sizes vary greatly depending on the cereal. This is especially true for flaky cereals, which often require a little more per serving than heavier, bulkier cereals like granola. My favorite cereal is 1 1/4 cups, which is the perfect size for a snack.
excellent source of fiber
Next is dietary fiber. Overall, Americans have difficulty meeting the 28 to 34 grams of fiber per day recommended by the American Dietary Guidelines. That’s why if I can get more fiber in a cereal snack, I’m going to do it, especially since I know how important fiber is for heart and digestive health. My favorite cereal contains a whopping 6 grams of fiber per serving. This is pretty incredible for a cereal.
Not too much sodium
Many processed foods contain significant amounts of sodium. That’s why I always check the salt content on the nutritional information label of processed foods. Eating too much sodium, especially over the long term, can lead to a variety of health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. There’s no “rule of thumb” here, but I generally prefer cereals with less than 400 milligrams per serving. Mine is just below that at 390 milligrams per serving.
sugar free
I don’t like cereals that are too sweet and prefer those with less than 5 grams of added sugar per serving. One of the reasons I love Cascadian Farms No Added Sugar Mixed Berry Cereal is that the source of sweetness comes from date powder and freeze-dried fruit. Freeze-dried strawberry slices and whole blueberries not only add flavor but also make my bowl look delicious and appealing. Who needs marshmallows when you can have freeze-dried fruit?
can ingest protein
Protein is an important nutrient for satiety and overall energy. I tend to prefer cereals that have at least 5 grams per serving, like my favorite Cascadian Farms cereal. Contains 5 grams of protein per serving and when combined with 1 cup of milk (providing 8 grams of protein) My snack contains a whopping 13 grams of protein. (Don’t forget to drink the milk left in the bowl!)
short ingredient list
Finally, here is the ingredient list. After skimming through all the nutritional information, I wanted to know, “What’s in here?” The ideal cereal would list whole grains first (like mine!), followed by a small ingredient list. This Cascadian Farms cereal lists whole wheat and rice as its first two ingredients.
conclusion
If you’re in the mood for some delicious and satisfying cereal, gift me some of my favorites. Cascadian Farm Sugar Free Mixed Berry Cereal Please try. Great for breakfast, but also great as a snack. I like to eat it with milk for extra protein, but it’s also great on its own. This cereal is packed with fiber to help you feel full and has no added sugar. It can be more expensive than other cereals, so I wait for sales and buy a few boxes to stock my pantry.
