No time for breakfast?
There are plenty of quick, healthful morning options for urbanites
on the go--and I don't mean bagels. They cost more than a
bowl of corn flakes,
but you paid two bucks for that latte, didn't you?
1.
Kashi Go
(about $2.29 per single-serving box: banana almond, berry
tart, apple spice and blueberry)
This cereal made from oats, rice and grains can be eaten
as is or nuked for 45 seconds for a hot, organic meal. You
don't need to add water. Kashi isn't mushy like oatmeal;
it's similar to chewy rice with a nutty flavor. Real fruit
and juice sweeten it, making this low-fat, high-fiber choice
a nice yogurt topper. But quality doesn't come cheap; Kashi
costs twice as much as other hot cereals.
2.
Quaker Fruit and Oatmeal Cereal Bars
(about $3.19 for an 8-pack: very berry, strawberry,
cherry cobbler and oatmeal apple-cinnamon)
The box touts the product's "real fruit goodness" and "wholesome"
crust, but the fruit filling in these bars contains refined
sugar, artificial flavors and colors, and the crust has
hydrogenated oils and more sugar. The oatmeal crust is tasty,
light and flaky (crumb city), and the filling in the Very
Berry tastes like tangy jam. The low-fat bars are also low
in fiber, but they do boast A and B vitamins--and you can't
beat the price.
3.
Balanced Ready to Drink Meal
($1.69 each: chocolate, vanilla, strawberry)
This soy beverage comes in an ugly, Slim Fast-style can,
but the vanilla version isn't bad. It tastes like sweet,
thick soy milk. The natural strawberry flavor, however,
is disgusting, and all of the flavors contain enough sugar
to be considered liquid candy. But the low-fat drink is
loaded with soy protein, oat fiber, vitamins and minerals,
so it beats a Snickers bar (though costs three times as
much).
4.
Health Valley Hot Cereal
(about 99 cents per single-serving cup: maple madness, banana
go nuts, amazing apple, 10 grain)
This one's perfect for the office if you've got a cooler
with a hot-water tap. This quick cup of oatmeal is boosted
by soy protein, oat bran, brown rice, tiny dried-fruit pieces
and natural flavors such as apple. The hearty meal tastes
like trusty oatmeal and is sweet on its own, so you don't
need to dump brown sugar on top. All in all, this is a terrific
low-fat breakfast that provides a decent amount of fiber,
protein and taste--all for under a buck.
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Willamette Week | originally
published June 9, 1999
|
