Another good, healthy cereal...

[lindrusso]

Thanks to LGBurns, I discovered Healthy Valley Golden Flax cereal - tasty and loaded with nutrients. My store was out of this the other day, but they did have HV Soy Flakes and this are great as well. They don't seem to be as packed with nutrition serving to serving as the flax cereal, but very nutritious. And we even keep getting the Kashi to Good Friends as a good source of fiber, even though it tastes a bit like cardboard http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif .

[emilycat]

I love this cereal, too! Actually, I love the whole line, but I only buy it at Harry's because it's a lot less expensive than at Whole Foods. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[pegy taylor]

Love Kasha - even with the cardboard taste! It did help me lower my triglycerides and cholestrol, but fruit makes it whole lot better. Guess it is an acquired tasts.

[aggie94]

Ok, how about a description? I have to admit that I am a hound for sugary cereals, and my normal selection includes Lucky Charms, Honeycomb, or Honey Nut Corn Flakes. (I know, I know -- tsk, tsk on me).

I decided recently that a change was in order, so I bought the Kashi to Good Friends, and "a bit like cardboard" is a huge understatement. I felt like I was chewing my cud with how long it took me to finish off some of those bites. And I don't think you should be able to advertise it as "twigs, flakes, and granola" (or whatever it actually says) when each bowl only has two pieces of granola! And the same bland brown color of all the pieces was not appealing. The little round flat pieces soaking up milk taste exactly how I would imagine wet cardboard to taste. I don't think we can finish the box.

On that note, is the HV Golden Flax sweeter and/or more flavorful? And how does the nutritional info (specifically fiber) compare to the Kashi?

[lindrusso]

aggie94 -

Your post has me cracking up!!!

I avoid sweet cereals like you described, not because I don't like them mind you, but because my blood sugar bottoms out and leaves me grumpy!

Anyway - I think you might like both of the Healthy Valley cereals. They have a decent texture and are slightly sweet (along the lines of Toasted Oatmeal, but not as sweet) - just sweet enough that I don't feel the need to mix in any other sweet cereals.

And hey, if they're still not sweet enough for you, then by all means, mix in some Lucky Charms. The Golden Flax doesn't require a very big serving to get a lot of nutrients - I think the serving size is only a 1/2 cup - so you can have the best of both worlds.

I also load up my bowl with fruits (blueberries, strawberries and raspberries) and toasted pecans. It's a nutrition-packed bowl and tastes yummy!!

[aggie94]

Thanks, lindrusso. I think I'll look for the Healthy Valley cereals at the store tonight and let you know how those go. I liked how much fiber there was in the Kashi, but I just can't bring myself to pour another bowl. Even DH, who is a cereal monger and will eat almost any kind of cereal, wasn't crazy about it (and he dumped a few teaspoons of sugar on his too). He does like the Kashi Medley, though, which I haven't tried. Thanks for the post!

[Star]

Aggie94~
For a sweet but "good for you" cereal I vote for Harmony by General Mills. It's very sweet but also very nutrious...50-100% of all the daily requirements! Eat up baby!
Diona

[KristaMB]

Aggie~ I've never actually tried the Kashi Good Friends, but I am a fan of the Kashi Go Lean Crunch. I wrote about it on the "Kashi" thread a few weeks ago. From what I read, I think it's sweeter and better liked than the Good Friends. I am trying really hard to be a "good cereal" convert and stay away from my old sugary favorites. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Does anybody else like Barbara's Bakery Cereals? I really like the Multigrain Shredded Spoonfuls. They remind me a lot of Life cereal.

Based on these reviews I think I'll expand my horizons to the Healthy Valley line!

[lindrusso]

Just wanted to comment on the Harmony cereal. I like it too and use it mixed with the other cereals. But...

It does provide vitamins, but for me personally, I'm trying to use cereal as a source of fiber. Harmony has 2 grams of fiber per 1 1/4 cups, whereas something like the Golden Flax has 6 grams of fiber in only a 1/2 cup. Just wanted to add that info for those who are looking for fiber-rich cereals.

As for Barbara's cereals, my kids and I like Puffins (mixed in with other stuff for me). A fair amount of fiber and more nutritional punch than say Kix or Chex (which the kids also like).

[aggie94]

I couldn't find the Kashi Go Lean cereal at the store today (although I did see the bars), so I picked up the HV Golden Flax instead. Will let you know what I think!

[cdm]

If anyone likes cereal to cook arrowhead mills is great and I like that its organic too. Ive been cooking the 4 grain and flax seed flavor, and I just bought some oat bran and noticed it had 7 grams of fiber vs the flax of 6 grams. I buy it at whole foods which I find is cheaper than Henrys with this. Oh by the way, at whole foods they have the bins and have chocolate covered dried cherries (organic of course) YUM!!!

[LGBurns]

Lindrusso--I'm so glad to hear you liked the Golden Flax. I have to see if they have it at Trader Joe's now because it just went way up in price at the store where I normally buy it (from $2.99 a box to $3.69!).
aggie94: I definitely recommend trying the Golden Flax--I am very picky about cereal (although I don't like super sweet cereal) and I find this very tasty and sweet. I especially like it with strawberries on top. If you don't find it sweet enough, I suppose you can always add sugar. At least you'll be getting the high fiber and the Omega-3 fatty acids from the flax seeds.

[aggie94]

Okay, the Golden Flax was a HUGE improvement over the Kashi to Good Friends. It's not Lucky Charms, but it was pretty good. I didn't have any trouble finishing off the bowl I poured this morning, although I do have to eat it pretty quickly. I notice that if I let it sit too long, the texture of the flakes begins to resemble the texture of the Kashi to Good Friends flakes (aka wet cardboard).

Thanks, guys!

[BeckyM]

I have to put in another plug for the Kashi Go Lean CRUNCH. Someone else mentioned it on a different thread, so I tried it. I already like the plain Kashi Go Lean, though I usually stir in something more flavorful to go with it. But the CRUNCH version is much sweeter, and it still is high fiber, low fat, and has soy protein. The CRUNCH is new (at least it said that on my box), so I don't think all the stores carry it yet, but I think it is definitely worth looking for. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Kristine]

I really like just the plain old Kashi. I had a bowl this morning and it was delicious. It's funny how everyone's tastebuds are different because I can't stand those super-sweet breakfast cereals like Lucky Charms, Frosted Flakes, etc. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[hlao23]

aggie94 -

FYI - I don't like Kashi To Good Friends or GoLean. Bleh! The only Kashi I've found that I like are the sweetened puffed oats but it probably has little nutritional value. I think it's pretty much just an organic Super Sugar Crisp or Sugar Smacks.

[laden]

I now love the Kashi to Good Friends. It wasn't always my favorite, but I started mixing it with equal amounts of Raisin Bran and then just weaned off the Raisin Bran.

It's especially good with a sliced banana.

[beccathebaker]

I love mixing Kashi good friends with health valley granola, cheerios, product 19 and bran flakes! We probably keep about 6 different cereals in the house at a time- I could never understand how some people can eat just one type of cereal at a time http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

With a little vanilla Silk, the kashi is wonderful!

[cooksrhot]

I was just at the store and wanted to try lindrusso's suggestion, but couldn't remember it off the top of my head! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif

I am a huge Kashi Good Friends fan too. I don't think it tastes too much like cardboard. Maybe I've gotten used to it. I do, however HATE the price: $3.99. I picked up the GO LEAN just for a change and that one clipped me for $4.29! I thought it was pretty tasty too. More "flavor variety" than Good Friends. I'm eager to try the HV line.

Cereal and gas prices...when will it stop! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[ewatkins]

Thanks for the recommendation on Barbara's Puffins --my kids loved it, especially dry, as a snack. I usually get Kix or Cheerios, but so little fiber.

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by ewatkins:
Thanks for the recommendation on Barbara's Puffins --my kids loved it, especially dry, as a snack. I usually get Kix or Cheerios, but so little fiber.

I found a store (it's 40 minutes away, so I'll have to stock up!) that carries cinnamon Puffins as well. Just as much fiber, but a bit sweeter.

That brings me to another question. Why do they have to take out the fiber when they frost things??? There's Wheaties which has some fiber (not high fiber), but when you look at Frosted Wheaties, there's no fiber!! Same with Cheerios - what little fiber regular Cheerios has is gone when you look at the frosted kind. I just don't understand that....

[sherri]

Kashi's Go Lean cereal is really good to try. It is high in protein and fiber!

[browneye]

Originally posted by lindrusso:
I avoid sweet cereals like you described, not because I don't like them mind you, but because my blood sugar bottoms out and leaves me grumpy!
Hey Lindrusso,
I experience the same thing, any breakfast that is high carb such as cereal, pancakes, etc. I get shaky, feel weak, and irritable, also sick and nervous-wierd feeling after about 1.5 hours. I stopped eating cereal altogether, even the lower sugar varieties. I haven't even tried new types in several years...could you possible post the carb/fibre nutrition information on a couple of these cereals you have tried and liked? I might give these a try. DO they stay with you for quite a while?
I now usually eat leftover dinner warmed up for breakfast because most breakfast foods leave me wierd...muffins, breads, etc. Or I eat whole wheat toast with a little peanut butter spread on top.
Does anyone else have this problem? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif



[This message has been edited by browneye (edited 05-17-2001).]

[lindrusso]

browneye,

I find that these cereals stay with me much longer than the others I was used to eating. However, I also load them up with fruit and add some toasted pecans (I toast a pan-full at a time and keep them in the freezer to add as needed - yummy!), so this probably helps as well. Supposedly adding more complex carbs and protein should help with the blood sugar problems.

Here's a nutritional break down of some of the cereals. I'm so mad - suddenly I can't find the Golden Flax - it has more punch per serving than the Soy Flakes. All info is without milk.

Health Valley Soy Flakes
Serving size: 1 1/4 cups
Calories: 190
Total Fat: 1.5g (O sat)
Total Carb: 35g (Fiber 5g, Sugars 7g)
Protein 13g
(What seems to set this one apart is not so much the high fiber, but the high protein.)

Health Valley Golden Flax
Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Calories: 190
Fat: 3g (Sat-0)
Total Carb: 38g (Fiber 6, Sugars 9g)
Protein: 6g

From Kashi To Good Friends
(Now, this is the one that I'm not crazy about, but I mix it in with other cereals and find it edible.)
Serving Size: 3/4 cup
Calories: 90
Total Fat: 1g
Total Carbs: 24g (Fiber 8g, Sugars 6g)
Protein: 3g

So, you can see that each has different things to offer, but they are all better sources of fiber than many other brands.

[browneye]

Lindrusso:
Thank you so much for taking the time to post those!!

I can see that some have protein, which is kind of nonexistent in the "regular" cereals.

I think I will try to find the Soy Flakes, and give them a try. I have found a bit of protein really helps with the blood sugar thing...and I absolutely LOVE roasted Pecans...what a great idea. I do like to eat cereals, a great source of fiber in the diet, but mostly gave up due to the above-mentioned problems.

Thanks again!
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[cchhbb]

I have the same problem as you Browneye. I feel terrible after a traditional breakfast. I get lightheaded and kind of sick to my stomach. I've found I feel a lot better if I eat some protein in the morning. I tried eating less processed foods, but it doesn't seem to help.

I can't eat soy or I break out in a pretty nasty rash, so I primarily eat leftovers for breakfast. I also will eat an apple, a piece of cheese, and crackers sometimes.