Better Health Food

If you’re counting carbs

Unfortunately, most of the favorites contain 20 grams of carbs per serving, or more, so eliminate those if you want to keep your meal plan going strong. Be sure to check the serving size of your favorite choices as they can vary!

The Good

Special K (22 grams), Wheaties (22 grams), and Cheerios (20 grams) represent sizable chunks of your daily allotment of carbohydrates, even though they're low in sugar and high in fiber. But if you stick to the recommended serving size, there's no reason you can't enjoy a bowl or two of these best-option cereals per week.

The Bad

Kashi GoLean (30 grams), Wheat Chex (38 grams), and Life Cereal (25 grams) aren't big winners in this category, even if they are delicious. When it comes to the whole grain market, the best bets are cereals with nuts and fruits in them. These options will keep you fuller longer and give you more nutritional bang for your buck because they also contain protein and various vitamins and minerals.

The Ugly

While you probably know to stay away from Trix, Lucky Charms, and Count Chocula, some of the most carb-rich cereals are the ones that look like they'd be the healthiest.

Raisin Bran (45 grams), Frosted Mini-Wheats (48 grams), and Oatmeal Crisp (46 grams) all top the list of cereals on the market with this highest amount of carbs. They do have their benefits, though. Many of these are higher in fiber and lower in sugar than their competitors with less carbs.

Who needs carbs?

Carbohydrates are one of three main nutrients the body needs to function. The other main nutrients are fat and protein. Carbohydrates break down into glucose, and are important because they provide the body with the energy it needs to work properly. Every cell in the body can use glucose for fuel!

There are three main types of carbohydrates found in foods: starches, also called complex carbohydrates, sugars, or simple carbohydrates, and fiber.

Complex carbohydrates are broken down more slowly than simple carbs, so they provide the body with a steadier and more long lasting supply of energy. They are found in whole grains, beans, and starchy vegetables such as corn and potatoes.

These carbohydrates also provide fuel for the healthy bacteria in the colon, which play a role in your overall immune function, metabolism, risk for chronic disease, and digestive health.

The body absorbs simple carbohydrates quickly, so they provide a fast, short-term energy boost. Fiber is important because it helps keep your digestive tract healthy. You can find simple carbohydrates in milk, fruits, and processed foods with added sugars.

How many carbs should you eat?

While everyone needs to eat carbohydrates, some people need more carbs than others. People who are very active need to eat more carbs than people who are sedentary. Those with diabetes also usually need to limit the amount of carbohydrates they consume during each meal to help keep their blood sugar levels in check. Finally, people on low-carb diets such as the Atkins or South Beach diets may limit their carbohydrate intakes in an attempt to boost weight loss.

No one should think of carbs as “bad,” But they should think carefully about the amount of carbs their body needs each day to stay healthy. The amount of carbohydrates you need depends on your age, sex, health status, and activity level.

Some health experts recommend people get between 45 and 65 percent of their daily calories from carbs, with more active people erring on the higher side and less active people eating fewer carbs. For example, an active woman between the ages of 19 and 25, who is aiming to maintain weight, should consume about 2,600 calories that include 293-423 grams of carbs a day. They should then get 15 to 25 percent of calories from fat and protein.

A standard portion of carbohydrates provides about 15 grams. Examples of standard portions include one slice of bread, 1/3 cup of rice, 1/2 a banana, or one small potato. This means that for a daily range of 293-423 grams of carbs, someone would need to consume 19 to 28 standard portions per day.

It is important to remember that a calorie does not equal a calorie, and a carbohydrate gram doesn’t equal a carbohydrate gram. In other words, your body will be much better off when you choose healthy carbs over high sugar, low fiber carbs.

Tips and tricks for a low carb breakfast

When it’s low-carb cereal you’re after, some of your best options aren’t the most exciting on the surface. Try jazzing them up and staying fuller for longer by throwing in sliced almonds, roasted hazelnuts, or walnut halves.