Serious About Cereal? 5 Magic Words

When comparing food labels for nutrition information, make note of five magic words to look for on a cereal package:

Whole: The first ingredient should describe a whole grain (wheat, oats, etc.)

Fiber: Accept no less than 5 grams of fiber per serving.

200 Calories: The healthiest choices have about 200 calories or less per serving.

Sodium: If you are watching your salt intake, especially to control high blood pressure, do not go above 360 mg per serving.

Sugar: Less than 12 grams per serving is a sound guideline, but raisins and other dried fruits will naturally boost the sugar content.

Source: Hope Health Letter, April 2006