Guest Author - Jill Valente

Breakfast Cereal Reviews

Quick Quaker Oats
I have spoken about my love of Quick Quaker Oats on this site more times than I can recall so I won’t go into too much detail here but if you are looking for a heart healthy, cholesterol lowering breakfast, you cannot beat oatmeal.

Fiber One Caramel Delight
This cereal is new from Fiber One and it’s delicious! I am totally not into sugar cereals but if you have kids or just can’t break that habit, this cereal tastes really similar to Cinnamon Toast Crunch but has 9 grams of fiber per serving.

Kashi Go Lean Crunch!
My husband is obsessed with Kashi Go Lean Crunch! Luckily for him it’s high in protein and fiber and sweetened naturally with honey and cinnamon. I actually like a lot of the Kashi products. They have everything now from cereal bars to frozen pizzas.

Barbara's Bakery Puffins Cinnamon Puffins
I discovered Puffins when I first started Weight Watchers because ¾ cup was only 1 point – hurray! Puffins are also great because they are organic, low-fat, wheat free, vegan and have no cholesterol making them perfect for many different diets.

Post Grape-Nuts
Grape-Nuts are another favorite of mine, especially served hot. They are rich in whole grain, high in fiber and overall extremely satisfying meaning you won’t be hungry an hour after breakfast.

School Snack Ideas

Stonyfield Farm Organic Fat Free Yogurt
I have a love/hate relationship with yogurt in that sometimes I can’t bear to eat it and other times I can’t live without it but no matter what, I always go back to Stonyfield Farm. Their products are all natural and organic with no artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners. Right now I am really into their fat free French vanilla yogurt with sliced banana, a teaspoon of granola drizzled with honey.

Apples and Bananas
During the summer we have so much fun, fresh fruit around that picking up the habit is easy. Nectarines, plums, peaches and berries are all in season and so sweet that it’s like eating dessert. Keep the extra servings of fruit momentum going into fall by stocking the fridge with tons of apples and bananas. With so many different types of apples you can try a new one each day. Bananas are yummy and filling plus when they are overripe it gives you a good excuse to make a loaf of banana bread.