I have to confess that I’m a cereal junkie (kinda like Jerry Seinfeld), with boxes and boxes of the crunchy stuff crammed into my pantry. But this junkie really doesn’t care for junkie cereal (with one BIG exception: CAPTAIN CRUNCH, with all its sugary-stick-to-your-molars-tasty-goodness-that-reminds-me-of-Saturday-mornings-in-front-of-the-TV-watching-Bugs-Bunny-as-a-child-shovelling-the-stuff-by-the-pailfull-into-my-mouth decadence). Now that I’m a grown-up (and I use the term loosely), my top-three choices for good-for-you cereals that you’ll always find in my cupboard are, in descending order…
3. Nature’s Path Optimum Cereal with Blueberries and Cinnamon (YUM!). I don’t think this tastes like a healthy cereal at all. It has everything I like in a cereal: crunch-power, texture, little itty bitty blueberries with a hint of cinnamon, and just a touch of sweetness. I love cinnamon enough to marry it, so when it’s in cereal (did I mention I love cereal?), it’s divine! Bonus: 7 grams of fibre and only 9 grams of sugar per cup. More info on Optimum Cereal here: http://www.naturespath.com/products/cold%20cereals?tid=5&brand=All&nutri=All
2. Kashi Go-Lean Crunch. I’d describe these crunchy clusters as a combination of Sugar Crisp cereal (again, from my sugar-coated youth) and granola. They aren’t kidding about the crunch part (not recommended after recent dental work) and this cereal doesn’t get soggy in milk. It’s filling and keeps me feeling satisfied for a long time, likely because of the dynamic dietary duo of high fibre (8 g per cup) plus high protein (9 g). The sugar content is a bit higher than the Optimum Cereal above (13 g vs 9 g), but it’s still respectable. More info on Go-Lean Crunch here: http://www.kashi.com/products/golean_crunch_original
1. Drum roll, please!! My ultimate favourite could-eat-it-every-day-and-usually-do healthy cereal? Kashi Cinnamon Harvest. Think Frosted Mini Wheats without the “frosted” part, since the Kashi folks tucked a little hint of sweetness, in the form of organic cane juice, throughout (not just on top of) these tasty little pillows of warm, spicy cinnamon and organic whole wheat. Not only do I love it for breakfast, it’s the perfect bedtime snack when made with warm milk…and just what’s recommended when your stomach’s growling at night—a blend of whole-grains and protein! I do have one complaint about this cereal though, and I know I’m not alone. There seems to be quite a variation from box to box in the cinnamoniness (I know, not a word) and sweetness. I wish it was more consistent. The cinnamon fairies were definitely snoozing when my last box of Cinnamon Harvest was produced…I could barely taste the spice (so I sprinkled some on myself! Not ON MYSELF, like on my pyjamas, but on the cereal ALL BY MYSELF 
More info on Cinnamon Harvest here:
http://www.kashi.com/products/kashi_whole_wheat_biscuits_cinnamon_harvest
I’ve found all three cereals mentioned above in the health-food aisle of my local grocery store. Please give them a try and let me know what you think!
9 responses so far ↓
1 Ola S. // Nov 3, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Firstly, Cap’n Crunch was one of my favourite cereals EVER when I was little!! You took the words right out of my mouth with the “sugary-stick-to-your-molars-tasty-goodness-that-reminds-me-of-Saturday-mornings-in-front-of-the-TV-watching-Bugs-Bunny-as-a-child-shovelling-the-stuff-by-the-pailfull-into-my-mouth decadence” comment!
I just never realized how long that’s cereal’s been around! I thought it was just an 80s/90s thing…. But what am I saying - you were an 80s baby, of course!! 
As for the healthy cereals, I have tried all 3 and love them! Although the Go Lean Crunch hurts my teeth so I don’t really eat that one like I used to, before I had my dental work done…. It’s funny that the Cinnamon Harvest one is your favourite because it’s one of my top favourites, too!!! I just discovered it a little while ago. It’s so yummy!!! I currently have a box of it in my cupboard. Not only is it amazingly delicious with milk, but I actually just like snacking on the dry cereal itself because then you really taste the cinnamoniness! (I find that the cinnamony taste can sometimes be lost when you have it with milk, especially if - like you said - the box has less cinnamon in it to begin with.)
Some others that I like include:
- Nature’s Path Flax Plus Multibran (only 5g of fibre and 4g of protein, but only 4g of sugar). Some might find it a little boring and bland but I love it!
- Nature’s Path Raisin Bran (8g of fibre, 6g of protein but 12g of sugar)
Nature’s Path also has great a variety of hot cereals that I just LOVE!! Definitely worth trying!!
2 JesseMegan // Nov 3, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Hey Greta and Janet!
I just wanna say I’m a HUGE fan (and thrilled that you’re back to blogging, is Leslie back too?) and love your blogs, show and am really looking forward to getting your books.
But I have a quick question for you,
How do you guys figure out the nutritional information for the things you cook? I always make up different little recipe’s, but are never sure how healthy they are and would LOVE to be able to tell the calories and all the nutritional information.
3 Jessica // Nov 10, 2009 at 8:59 pm
I wanted to drop you a note to let you know that I have all three of your cookbooks and they are seriously worn from usage! Our whole family has loved pretty much everything we have made. I wanted to let you know that I have featured a number of your recipes on my own blog (always giving you credit.)
http://web.me.com/decanio/Real_Food_for_Real_Life/Main_Menu/Main_Menu.html
4 Sarah // Dec 3, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Hi Ladies,
Thanks so much for posting these cereal recommendations. I have wanted to try some of the Nature’s Path and Kashi cereals but was afraid they would taste like cardboard and didn’t want to waste my money! So far, I have only tried the go-lean crunch. I like it a lot! My husband says it is too crunchy, so I get the box all to myself! I look forward to trying the other kinds soon.
5 Lesley // Dec 3, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Hi Greta and Janet,
I also agree that the Kashi Cinnamon Harvest cereal is really good, so good I don’t want to share it with my husband. My next try is the Nature’s Path blueberry one. I also would like to say I bought your chicken balls and they were excellent. I just happen to walk by a shelf in Costco and there they were so I grabbed some. They are yummy!!!! Great job ladies!
6 dougless // Dec 11, 2009 at 11:43 am
you girls freakin’ rule. no word of a lie.
7 Carol // Dec 30, 2009 at 8:54 am
Dear Ladies
Have been unable to buy your frozen meals for some time now.We have enjoyed the products & are they available anymore.Have not seen them in the supermarkets. Help!
8 April // Jan 3, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Hey Janet & Greta!
I love your books and show!
I can’t wait to try some of these cereals! But I have an interesting fact for you ladies.
One of my friends recently told me that Cheerios have TSP in them! (Yes the same stuff that you peel wallpaper with!) I didn’t believe her, seeing as I grew up on them and love them, but sadly it’s TRUE! Needless to say, I will no longer be eating that cereal.
9 Isabelle // Jan 18, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Hi Janet & Greta!
I just want to say that i love your latest cookbook! your recipes are fantastic!
I agree with you Greta the Kashi Cinnamon Harvest is delish!!! have you tried the vanilla one?
i thought my hubby would give me grief because they weren’t real “mini-….you know) because of the no frosting but turns out he and the kids (3 & 5 ) love them!
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