I'm not a perfect eater, but I do try to mostly buy products that will be good for our health. A general rule of thumb for products and processed foods is to look at the fiber content. Check the label and divide the total carbohydrates by the fiber. Your answer should be 5 grams or less. For example, plain Cheerios have 29g of carbs divided by 4g of fiber, which gives you 7.25. This may be okay for once in a while, but for daily consumption, you want a breakfast cereal that gives you 5 grams or less to help keep your blood sugar balanced and prevent hunger and cravings.
One delicious cereal that fits the bill is Nature's Path Heritage Flakes. The total carbs are 31g and the fiber is 7g, giving you a result of 4.4! Topped with lots of fruit and plant-based milk, this cereal makes for a healthy and delicious start to the day or a satisfying evening snack.
Another product I recommend is sprouted grain bread, like Ezekiel bread. Ezekiel is a flourless sprouted grain bread, which is both healthy and delicious. The benefits of flourless bread include better absorption of nutrients since sprouted grains are low in phytate, an anti-nutrient. This product also fits the whole-food plant-based processed food rule: total carbs 15g/fiber 3g = 5!
Lastly, let me introduce you to PB2, which is powdered peanut butter. PB2 is a low-calorie, low-fat alternative to traditional peanut butter, containing 85% fewer calories from fat. It has an average of just 60 calories, 1.5g of fat, and 6g of protein per serving, making it a great choice for those looking to cut calories or meet specific fitness goals. Since fat can contribute to weight gain, this is a smart option! You can mix PB2 with a small amount of water to create peanut butter or add it to smoothies.
Here’s a PB2 smoothie recipe you might like:
For more delicious PB2 recipes, check out the PB2 Foods website here.
You can be the bread in the frozen section of most grocery stores. The other items should be on the shelves as well, or find them online.
Enjoy experimenting with these healthy and tasty options!