by Amanda Jane Snyder
10 Low-Sugar, High-Protein Cereal Options
Growing up in the 90’s and early 2000’s, there was really no other option for breakfast other than cereal. It was cereal, always and without question. I’m not sure how or why cereal became so popular. I’d imagine it was because of how simple and easy it is to eat on a busy morning. Growing up, I was always responsible for pouring my own cereal. My parents didn’t have to worry about the kids getting fed in the morning, because we all could do it ourselves. Plus, it was fun! Each cereal had a mascot, and sometimes there were even prizes inside the box and games on the back. I was so invested in reading the back of cereal boxes every morning that I even wrote-in to General Mills with disappointment when the back of the Honey Nut Cheerios box remained the same for over 6 months. I never got a response by the way…
As a Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach with over 8 years of experience, cereal is not my first recommendation to clients. Even with my parents restricting the kinds of cereals we bought to the “healthier” options (think Shredded Wheat, Rasin Bran and Cheerios), cereal is often packed with sugar and higher in calories because of this. It’s also primarly carbs, with very little protein. Carbs are not bad, don’t get me wrong, they do provide energy and help with muscle protein synthesis, but most Americans are low in protien, especially if they’re looking to lose fat and gain muscle. This happens to be the goal of a lot of my clients! With that being said, I’m all about a high protein breakfast to start your day off strong, keep you satiated, reduce cravings, and help promote lean muscle growth and fat loss. Cereal is SO QUICK and easy though. And to me it feels nostalgic thinking about having it every morning as a kid. Here’s a few healthy cereal options that are low in sugar, and some are actually high in protein! When in a pinch, this is what I turn to!