Backwards Cereal
I’m a diehard cereal fan. It’s good anytime…breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, dessert, post-workout…but unfortunately, it’s not the healthiest option…especially if I ate it as often as I want to.
In the last several months I’ve really cut down the carbs that I eat. I have hardly any compared to the amount that I used to eat. Cereal has become something that I have for special, usually on Sundays.
There are some great healthy cereals which are good for every day…but I have to admit it…I’m a fan of Life cereal and Honey Nut Cheerios. Pretty sure these tastes developed from keeping me quiet in church when I was a child. Actually, I have no idea…
Whatever the case, I’ve been experimenting with breakfast cereals and choosing healthier options. Obviously, I love eating oatmeal in the mornings. One of my favourite cereal substitutes is a small amount of dry oatmeal with almond milk, Truvia, walnuts, and chia seeds.
Here’s my newest cereal replacement….backwards cereal! Instead of putting the fruit on top of the cereal…I swapped the order. This way you make the fruit the main part of the meal and cut carbs and calories.
Start with your favourite fruits…
Then top with your “cereal”…this could be anything from granola chunks, wheat germ, ground flaxseed, oatmeal, or quiona. I used a mixture of wheat germ and flaxseed on my “backwards cereal” yesterday morning.
After that, you’ll add your milk. Like I said before I love to add Truvia to my milk to make the breakfast sweeter and more dessert like. Try adding coconut milk for a creamy, non-dairy milk. I love using almond milk and sometimes…(this is slightly decadent)…I will add a tablespoon of whipping cream and a packet of Truvia to it. Obviously, this makes it non-vegan…but I love creamy milk and it tastes like melted vanilla ice-cream over your cereal!
I have to say, I’ve suddenly become obsessed over wheat germ. I totally forgot about it and when I added it to my fruit bowl this morning I wondered why on earth I wasn’t using it more frequently. It’s loaded with iron, magnesium, folic acid, and vitamin E. More than that, I just love its nutty flavour.
Well, I’m off to spend some time with my nieces and nephews while they’re still here…I’m so blessed by the family God has given me!
What kind of cereal is your favourite? Do you have some healthy substitutes? Have you tried wheat germ?
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Category: Breakfast, Gluten Free, Low Carb, Recipes | Tags: backwards cereal, health benefits of wheat germ, healthy cereal ideas, healthy cereal recipes for children, low carb breakfast ideas, low carb cereal, low carb cereal ideas, low carb cereal recipes, wheat germ, why I like wheat germ 23 comments »
What a great idea! I used to be a huge cereal person, but almost never eat it anymore. I do go back to my childhood when I pour a bowl though ;) have fun with your family!
This is a great idea. I always feel like I need some sort of crunch with my fruit. I’ve never tried wheat germ but I use ground flax in my smoothies and oatmeal. Thinking it’s kind of similar?
I do exactly what you do only pour a protein shake over top.
Great idea! I used to be a huge cereal eater, but have really cut back on my grains. I still need something with substance though, so I cut back on the oats and add chia and hemp. Love the backwards bowl with mostly fruit!
Awesome looking cereal. I’m not a fan of milk in the a.m. (it’s like I’m lactose intolerant in the mornings. Weird hey?) but that upside down cereal looks good to me!!
I love to use greek yogurt instead of milk on my cereal. I try not to eat a ton of (non fruit and vegetable) carbs, so I really like this idea!
TOTALLY awesome! I agree with you on the Coconut Milk. It’s so great for the digestive system to. I gave you a little pin because these are some wonderful pictures:)
I’m addicted to oats. I try to limit them to just the morning but they often creep back into my meals later. I just love the creativity with them…adding fruits, nuts, seeds, nut butter, protein…love it!
YUM! My fave cereal is banned – Kashi granola – the one that is higher protein – I can’t stop eating it! ;-)
This is great! I keep it simple. Cheerios with banana or strawberry. I know plain and boring, but it’s good.
such a great idea babe :) I will have to do this. “backwards cereal” hehe I like it :)
We usually have Kashi cereal on hand, my favorite is the original GoLean, but like you, I’ve been eating a lot less of it lately. I love the backward cereal idea! And so funny that you mentioned wheat germ- I just rediscovered it in our cupboard too and have started putting it on everything again. Yum!
Nice idea! I’ve done something similar when I make a bowl of yogurt and fruit. Never tried wheat germ — I’ll have to look into that. Seems like a good option.
the fruit is the star! fabulous!
I’ve given up grains and miss cereal! But I miss it in a treat way, not healthy way. I love Life and Honey Nut Cheerios too. My biggest weakness is Cinnamon Toast Crunch though. I can eat the whole box!!!
~Ang
PS. This looks really delicious!!!
For my cereal, which I have for either breakfast or lunch most days, I do something similar. Here is my custom mix: into the bowl I put some mixed berries (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries) to equal about 1 cup or more. On top of that I add the following: 1/4 cup 5-grain puffs, 1/4 cup mini shredded wheat, 1/8 cup dry rolled oats, 1/8 cup dry 7-grain cereal, and 1 Tbsp EACH of the following: tiny crunch cereal (like Ezekiel or grape nuts or bran buds), wheat germ, ground flax seed, sliced almonds, chopped pecans, and chopped walnuts.
I then top this with homemade almond-coconut milk, sometimes with plain nonfat Greek yogurt or kefir whisked in, or sometimes with soymilk and yogurt. No sweetener, except for chopped dates which I blend into the milk when I make it. This is a very filling and satisfying meal.
To save time, I measure it out into bowls for 5 days or so and store on the counter (winter) or in the frig (summer).
I am not a big cereal eater. This is a great idea! I have wheat germ in my fridge. I use it to “bread” my chicken.
Great idea! I use cereal in my parfaits, so it’s kind of the same concept. I love love love cereal, but that’s one thing I seem to always overdo when I sit down with a bowl of it…. which quickly becomes two bowls. ;)
Very good idea. I usually just add a bit of cereal to my fruit and yogurt too. Hadn’t thought of wheat germ though. Do you ever toast it?
Elle~ That’s a great idea! No, I haven’t toasted it…but now I want to try it!
completely great idea!! Cereal used to be a HUGE part of my diet…HUGE :) I figured at least it was whole wheat high fiber, but really it still wasn’t filling me up so yup now it’s my littler topper
I am not a cereal fan, the only cereal I will eat is Multigrain Cheerios usually in a smoothie bowl or Greek yogurt bowl.
I love using raw oats, nut butter and protein powder to make cereal then adding hemp, berries and nuts. So good!
Here is my custom mix: into the bowl I put some mixed berries (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries) to equal about 1 cup or more. On top of that I add the following: 1/4 cup 5-grain puffs, 1/4 cup mini shredded wheat, 1/8 cup dry rolled oats, 1/8 cup dry 7-grain cereal, and 1 Tbsp EACH of the following: tiny crunch cereal (like Ezekiel or grape nuts or bran buds), wheat germ, ground flax seed, sliced almonds, chopped pecans, and chopped walnuts.