Hot cereal is not just your mother's oatmeal any more. Now that it's been worked over by cereal companies and their marketing departments, its now possible to buy hot cereals that are every bit as crappy as the sugar filled garbage lining the cereal aisle. In addition to a confusing variety of oatmeal products, now you can get wheat, quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, bulgar, faro, kamut, chia seeds and combinations thereof.
Whatever you decide to try, here are four ways to help you find the best cereals for you.
1. Look for whole grain. This is easier than it usually is since most hot cereals are all or nearly all whole grain. Grits and Cream of Wheat or Rice are notable exceptions. Bran as an ingredient counts.
2. Beware of added sugar. As with most cereals, dumping lots of sugar into them can ruin even whole grain cereals. Most whole grain cereals come unsweetened. The notable exception is "instant" varieties which can be loaded with sugar. Skip them. Cooking most hot cereals only takes 10 minutes anyway. Better yet, make them overnight in a slow cooker and they are ready to go when you are.
3. Check the sodium content. Nearly all flavored varieties will have added salt and the rest will advise you to add it during cooking. Don't bother. Dress it up with fruit and nuts and you will not miss the salt.
4. Ignore the marketing BS. Promises to reduce cholesterol, provide antioxidants, deliver pre- and pro-biotics or fill you up with fiber and protein are, while not outright lies, generally much overblown. You would have to eat 3 or 4 servings of most hot cereals to count on them for a daily does of any of these things.
Still, as a rule, whole grain hot cereals that you prepare yourself and top off with fruit or nuts are one of the healthiest breakfast options in the market. They really do have a lot of protein and fiber that will help you feel full till lunchtime. Try a few different kinds, find the ones you like and include them on the menu several days each week.
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