10 Best Healthy Cereals in the Philippines 2022 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Nutritionist-Dietitian

Jo Sebastian is a Registered Nutritionist-Dietitian who graduated BS Community Nutrition from the University of the Philippines, Diliman. Throughout the past year, she has worked with Uniqlo, Adidas, Rebel Fitness app, and more to make nutrition fun, easy and accessible. She believes that life is not about restricting food but through simple lifestyle and dietary changes to attain our optimal health, we can reach our full potential.

To know more about Jo Sebastian, like and follow her on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and don't forget to subscribe to her YouTube channel!

Disclaimer: These products are recommendations made by our team at mybest Philippines. Our expert, Jo Sebastian, is not affiliated with, nor is she endorsing any of the brands we mention below.

**Prices may vary depending on the website and their campaign period**

The products we introduce below were carefully curated by the mybest team using the points mentioned in our detailed and thoroughly researched buying guide. For ranks 1 to 3, in addition to the buying guide, we also referred to more than 100 reviews in Lazada to come up with their respective rankings.

We have more product recommendations in store for you! Listed in no particular order, here are seven more of our recommended products carefully chosen by the mybest team.

Here are some key points to consider:

1. Choose the cereal variant based on your preference.
2. Take into consideration the serving size.
3. Go for cereals made with 100% whole grains.
4. Fiber helps in improving digestive health and monitoring blood sugar.
5. Look at the nutritional facts: ideally, sugar should be 5g and less than 2.5g for saturated fat.

For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.

Cereals are undeniably addicting once you've had tasted the available flavors in the market. Some variant has that balanced combination of sweet and fruity taste which makes people come back for more, and some are gluten-free or sugar-free to aid those with dietary restrictions. 

Granola is a famed breakfast cereal consisting of oats, flax seeds, almonds, or chia seeds. This is loaded with micronutrients, but nutrition content may differ depending on the combination of the ingredients. 

Granola blended with dried fruits and other sweeteners is high in sugar. On the other hand, nuts like hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, cashew, and other tree nuts are rich in protein, and whole grains are high in fiber. It also usually contains seeds like pumpkin and sunflower seeds.

Diet-conscious ones have loved this since it is not only convenient, but it impedes the stomach’s emptying and helps you feel fuller for a while. Additionally, granola minimizes cholesterol levels and blood sugar thanks to its high fiber ingredients.

Breakfast cereals are perhaps one of the ideal easy-to-eat option for the kids. Perhaps, you’ve reminisced of your childhood when you’re munching on a bowl of cereal while watching your favorite cartoon shows and waiting for your school bus. Commonly, children enjoy fruit-flavored cereals that come in unique flavors and colors. 

There is something about fruit cereals that wakes their taste buds— crunchy in every bite yet bursting in flavors. Some cereals come in dried strawberries or raspberries that add flavor to your milk. 

Chocolate cereals, meanwhile, are also a palatable option to satisfy your kids’ sweet tooth. When mixed with milk, it has a chocolatey taste that your kid will never forget.

These golden flakes have that crisp with a hint of the right sweetness. This is a better option for weight loss and a good source of vitamins, fiber, protein, and carbohydrates. Once this snack is added to milk, it becomes rich in protein, boosting your immunity and restoring body tissues. 

However, if you want to monitor your weight, ditch sugar-coated flakes and look for an alternative with no added sugar. See that your cereal is free of hidden sugars as excessive sugar intake promotes sudden weight gain and can even result in diabetes. 

Who wouldn't love a bowl of cereals? The common mistake many of us make is we inattentively pour it into our bowl, so we tend to exceed the advised serving size. This is a big no-no, especially to those who follow a low-calorie lifestyle. The serving size distinguishes the total calories you'll consume. 

In fact, there are two variants of serving size: 30 grams for light cereals and 55 grams for heavy cereals. For those who are undergoing a healthy diet, using a measuring cup is recommended. The ideal cereal has 200 calories or less per serving, according to dietitians. 

Most cereal boxes are usually labeled "whole grain" on their packaging, still do not let this delude you. To know the accurate nutrition content, take a closer look at the ingredients list if it includes whole grains such as oats, barley, and rice. Additionally, if the corn or wheat is not indicated as whole, this might be because they're refined. 

Be wary of the ingredients list that starts with flour; this can be an indicator that you have purchased a processed cereal. Unlike refined grains, whole grains are rich in fiber, protein, iron, and magnesium— a healthy option to prevent the risk of heart illness.

Fiber brings several nutrients beneficial to your health. It is proven to be helpful for digestive health and prevents a spike in your blood sugar. 

Before taking a pick of a heart-healthy cereal, ensure that it has at least 3 or 4 grams of fiber in every serving size. According to dietitians, three grams is likely 12% of the daily recommended fiber intake. Men need 38 grams of fiber each day to follow a healthy diet, while women should have 25 grams per day.

When it comes to cereals, the recommended sugar content per serving is 5 grams. Take note of cereals with dried fruits, given that these are coated in sugar. To be certain, inspect if dried fruits should come first in the ingredients label before the added sugar. A healthier alternative is to add your preferred unsweetened fruit for a nice flavor boost.

Generally, light cereals should have at least 7 grams of sugar while 11 grams for heavy cereals as per the Center for Science in the Public Interest. One helpful tip is to check the order of ingredients. Once you've noticed that sugar or other unhealthy ingredients are included in the first three ingredients, it's time to find a better breakfast cereal. 

Another factor to consider is saturated fat. If you're someone who loves granolas, this typically has a total of 3 to 6 grams of fat. Just be sure to consider cereals with less than two and a half grams. Furthermore, steer clear of cereals with artificial preservatives.

Besides an ideal breakfast option or toppings to your favorite sweets, cereals can also be used as an ingredient to your favorite gastronomic dishes. Check out this video from Simpol, which shows the recipe for Singaporean specialty cereal prawns. 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 kilo prawns
• Salt
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 4-5 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 3/4 cup cornflakes
• 7 pieces of dried chilies
• Cilantro
• Cooking Oil

Procedure:

1. Season the prawns with a bit of salt, depending on your preferred taste. Add 2 tbsps. cornstarch and 2 tbsps. of water. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is equally distributed.
2. Put a little salt into the crushed corn flakes and 1 tsp of sugar in another bowl. Then, add the powdered milk.
3. Prepare a frying pan. In this video, the prawns are peeled so that the prawn meat will absorb the flavors. Fry until golden brown to get that desired crisp.
4. In a separate pan, add a little oil. Mince the garlic and dried chili. Wait until golden brown. Afterward, melt the butter.
5. Once the butter already melt, add the fried prawns. Finally, put the combined cereal and powdered milk. Toss it carefully until the mixture is evenly covered on the prawns.
6. For a more appetizing look, garnish cilantro and finish off with a bit of black pepper.

Trying to be healthy is a journey and will never be easy on anyone. To make your journey easier, fill your mind with correct information. In this section, Jo Sebastian answers some of the web's most asked questions!

Cereals on their own aren’t necessarily unhealthy. The main nutrients that we keep an eye on are added sugars, sodium, and saturated and trans fats. One thing about cereal to look into in your diet is what cereal replaces or removes. Does the daily consumption of cereal take away from other higher fiber balanced meals? 

Of course, we could always add cereal into the loop of our regular meals and switch it up every once in a while with something more balanced like oats, bread, or even rice with protein and vegetables.

Milk will add protein and fats to add some satisfaction and nutrition. But if you prefer cereal without milk, then that’s perfectly fine! Just remember to add some balance in the form of protein, fats, or fiber if this will be a full meal. 

The most important thing to keep an eye on is the amount of added sugar, fiber, and protein in your cereal. But remember that one food item is not automatically bad or unhealthy if it doesn’t fit the guidelines for a “healthy cereal.” It usually boils down to overall diet quality and consumption.

One thing I love to do when I add some cereal into my life is to consume it with something higher in fiber or protein. For example, I can top my oats with cereal for a crunch or replace milk with greek yogurt for more protein. But it all boils down to balance! So if you want your cereal, go for it!

Due to the ongoing quarantine, many are required to work remotely to ensure the safety of everyone. Despite the hectic schedule and piling workloads, make sure to take care of yourself and fill up your tummies with delicious foods to boost your energy and be more productive. Check out these links to the best snacks available online. 

You can never go wrong with a bowl of cereals. Besides being convenient, it has a combination of sweet and fruity flavors that will entice the little one’s palate. While for those who practice a healthy lifestyle, whole grain cereals with a blend of oat and fruits are a great option to stay fit. 

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Cereals are delicious, filling breakfast ideas that you can add a flavor boost by mixing yogurt, fruits, and milk. Hence, when you’re seeking an easy-to-prepare meal without compromising the essential nutrients, cereals are always a good idea. 

Author: B. Tan 

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Curious to know how we chose the products on our list? Our buying guide was carefully crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, so we used it as a basis for choosing and rating. For the top 3 product recommendations, we also looked at reviews from Lazada in addition to the buying guide.

*Please note that we did not test the products and were not paid by any of the brands to include their product on the list.

Ratings and Reviews
For each product on the top 3, we looked at and referenced more than 100 reviews, as well as product ratings in Lazada.

Choose the Cereal Variant Based on Your Preference

The cereal variant to get will depend on the buyer's needs and preferences, so we did not include it in our ratings.

Take Into Consideration the Serving Size

As Jo Sebastian mentioned, the serving size will depend on the day and the person, so we opted not to include this part as a criterion in our ratings. 

Go for Cereals Made With 100% Whole Grains

Getting whole-grain cereal is important to get more nutrients to power up the body throughout the day. We looked at the label and the ingredients lists of the products and gave a higher rating if the cereal is made from whole grains. Also, we gave extra points to products if the whole grain is listed before sugar other ingredients.

Fiber Helps in Improving Digestive Health and Monitoring of Blood Sugar

As stated in the buying guide, cereals should have at least 3-4 grams of fiber to get enough nutrients and benefits. We looked at the nutritional facts label and gave higher ratings to products that fulfill this criterion.

Look at the Nutritional Facts: Ideally, Sugar Should Be 5g and Less Than 2.5g for Saturated Fat

For this criterion, we looked at the nutritional facts label again and gave higher ratings to products with 5 grams or less of sugar and less than 2.5 grams of saturated fat.