10 Healthy Tips When
Shopping The Breads-And-Cereal Section
1. Stick with whole grain varieties, including
whole wheat, multigrain, rye, millet, oat bran, oat, and
cracked wheat. This goes for all types of bread: sliced
bread, pita, bagels, English muffins, crackers, and so
on.
2. Although "wheat" bread might sound just as
healthy as "whole wheat" bread, don't be fooled; it's
merely a blend of white and whole wheat flour. A product
labeled "whole wheat" must be made from 100 percent whole
wheat flour.
3. Check the label and choose breads with at
least 2 grams of fiber per slice.
4. If you're looking to save calories, try the
whole wheat, reduced-calorie bread (approximately 40
calories per slice with 2 grams of fiber).
5. Take advantage of the fiber that some cereals
pack in, and choose varieties that have at least 2 grams
of fiber per serving. You can usually (not always) get a
sense of whether a cereal has fiber from the name on the
box (Bran Flakes, All- Bran, 100% Bran, Raisin Bran,
Fiber-One, Shredded Wheat, and Corn Bran).
6. Some cereals pack in more sugar and salt than
most people realize. Check the Total Carbohydrates
against the Sugars (on the nutrition label) to make sure
sugar is not a main ingredient. In fact, opt for the
brands that report 6 grams of sugar or less per serving.
If your kids (or spouse) insist on the sugary brands, mix
it with half a bowl of a healthier look-a-like (for
instance, half Frosted Flakes and half Bran
Flakes).
7. Check the serving size. Some of the denser,
heavier cereals only allot a miniscule amount for one
serving. Take this into consideration if you plan to eat
a normal size bowl (and you're watching your weight).
Remember, double the serving size means double the
calories.
8. Don't forget to throw some hot cereal into
your cart. Whether you opt for the instant or the kind
that requires cooking, stick with unsweetened varieties
of oatmeal, grits, cream of rice, and cream of wheat. You
can sweeten them with some of the fresh fruit you bought
in the produce section.
9. Most cereals are low in fat with the
exception of granola and others that add nuts, seeds,
coconut, and oils. Read the label and choose cereals with
no more than 2 grams of fat per serving.
10.
Read the list of ingredients on your cereal box and make
sure that wheat, rye, corn, or oats are listed
first. Items
are listed in the order of quantity.
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