7 Tips for Choosing a Better Breakfast Cereal

'Quick and easy' cereal doesn't have to mean its unhealthy.

Be Cereal Smart - When you’re trying to get out of the door in the morning, nothing screams, “breakfast fast” like cereal. But what are the healthiest options? Follow these seven tips to make the most out of this morning food staple. —BlackHealthMatters.Com. (Photo: Patryce Bak/cultura/Corbis)

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Be Cereal Smart - When you’re trying to get out of the door in the morning, nothing screams, “breakfast fast” like cereal. But what are the healthiest options? Follow these seven tips to make the most out of this morning food staple. —BlackHealthMatters.Com. (Photo: Patryce Bak/cultura/Corbis)

Skip the Health Claims on the Front of a Package - This is typically marketing copy, not nutrition information. Go to the nutrition label for what’s actually inside the box. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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Skip the Health Claims on the Front of a Package - This is typically marketing copy, not nutrition information. Go to the nutrition label for what’s actually inside the box. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Choose Whole Grains - Refined grains (think: cornflakes) have been stripped of nutrients. Whole grains, such as corn, brown rice, oats and wheat, provide many of the vitamins and minerals your body needs, and they reduce the risk of heart disease. Bonus: Whole grains take longer to digest, so you feel full for longer periods. The first ingredient should say “100 percent whole” type of grain, and you should see a yellow stamp from the Whole Grains Council on the box. (Photo: Miguel Villagran/Getty Images)

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Choose Whole Grains - Refined grains (think: cornflakes) have been stripped of nutrients. Whole grains, such as corn, brown rice, oats and wheat, provide many of the vitamins and minerals your body needs, and they reduce the risk of heart disease. Bonus: Whole grains take longer to digest, so you feel full for longer periods. The first ingredient should say “100 percent whole” type of grain, and you should see a yellow stamp from the Whole Grains Council on the box. (Photo: Miguel Villagran/Getty Images)

What Is Prediabetes? - Prediabetes is a precursor to Type 2 diabetes, which means that your body is having issues breaking down the sugars in your blood. But because it’s in the early stages, your blood glucose (sugar) levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes yet, says the American Diabetes Association.  (Photo: Getty Images/STOCK)

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Watch out for Sugar and Salt - Some cereals pack as much sugar in one serving as that found in three chocolate chip cookies. Too much sugar increases glucose levels too quickly. Aim for cereals with 10 grams or less per serving. And though you usually can’t taste the salt in cereal, you may be surprised by the amount of sodium in some brands. Look for brands that contain 220 mg or less per serving.  (Photo: GSO Images/Getty Images)

Go for High Fiber - Studies show a diet high in fiber can cut your risk for both heart disease and type 2 diabetes, but most of us get only about 16 grams of fiber a day. The recommended amount is 38 grams for men and 25 grams for women. Select a cereal that has at least 5 grams of fiber per serving.(Photo: Richard Eskite/Corbis)

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Go for High Fiber - Studies show a diet high in fiber can cut your risk for both heart disease and type 2 diabetes, but most of us get only about 16 grams of fiber a day. The recommended amount is 38 grams for men and 25 grams for women. Select a cereal that has at least 5 grams of fiber per serving.(Photo: Richard Eskite/Corbis)

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Add Protein - Top your cereal with nonfat Greek yogurt; it has enough protein to help you feel full. If dairy is a problem, soy yogurt is a good alternative.(Photo: Getty Images)

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Heat It Up - Hot oat bran, steel-cut oats, millet and quinoa are full of fiber, and the unflavored versions have no sugar. (Photo: Olha_Afanasieva/GettyImages)

Mind Your Portions - A cereal serving size can vary from 1/2 cup to more than one cup, but most of us have much more than that in one sitting. Don’t try to eyeball a serving; use a measuring cup.(Photo: Image Source/Corbis)

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Mind Your Portions - A cereal serving size can vary from 1/2 cup to more than one cup, but most of us have much more than that in one sitting. Don’t try to eyeball a serving; use a measuring cup.(Photo: Image Source/Corbis)