Image Source: 123rf

Cereals or flakes have become the staple diet in most places due to them being easier to prepare and eat quickly on a busy weekday. Cereals can be prepared without having anything but the cereals and some milk. Cheap and best option, one might think, but the nutrition value? Give that a thought. Though cereals have most of the calories that you have in your daily breakfast, is it the healthy calories? This question brings about a problem with it.

Extra sugar than normal, means adding extra sugar to your diet, which might come back to haunt you. You should look at the specifications on the cover of the cereal box first. If the box contains all your essentials in the right amount, then that cereal can help you. Instead of using full-fat milk, you can use skimmed or semi-skimmed milk to change the sugar percentage as well.

Even for those in a strict diet, flakes can prove healthy. There are many different breakfast bowls of cereal, each with their composition and their benefits. No one would say that having cereals for breakfast is the best thing. However, it can be the only healthier alternative than having to cook food before rushing off to work. A few bowls of cereal that are healthy are:

• Porridge
• Corn flakes
• Wheat Flakes
• Poha
• Muesli
• Oatmeal

Porridge

Perhaps the best cereal to take in the morning. It is both natural and contains enough of minerals and essentials to keep you running, without having to snack in between meals. Porridge tastes best when consumed with a little bit of jaggery mixed with porridge. Be careful not to add synthetic sugar, as the sugar might cause harmful effects to your healthy routine. Fresh fruits and resins go well with it as well.

Corn Flakes

Corn flakes are abundant in carbohydrates, iron, and vitamin B complex, it is a perfect diet for both school kids and elderly people too. Due to many advertisements, this has become a staple morning diet in many places, but again synthetic sugar addition might spoil the nutritious value of cornflakes. It is better taken with jaggery or nuts, without any sugar. That way, sugar levels can be controlled better.

Wheat Flakes

Not a wholesome option, one would say. But nonetheless, wheat flakes, when fortified with extra Calcium is an excellent alternative to a boring routine of porridge or cornflakes. Just wheat flakes do not add much to your body for breakfast.

Oatmeal

A satisfying morning breakfast meal. A bowl of oatmeal is healthy and filling as well. It is best for those having high cholesterol and diabetes. However, do not add sugar to it and it is all good to be a great meal. The high fiber content is its specialty.

Muesli

A wholesome alternative, Muesli is. It has raisins, almond, and four other important grains to help you rush through the day. It gives energy to school going children and allows them to stay fit and energetic throughout the day.

Poha

Poha is a light and healthy breakfast option in many Indian households. It is a rice crispy. Sauteed properly, this is a healthy option.

For more flakes that can make your breakfast healthy and fulfilling, click here.