Organic Cereals: a Look at Two Natural Brands, High in Energy and Protein

In my quest toward a healthier lifestyle, I have adopted the vegetarian diet. Furthermore, I am trying to add more organic food into my life. So, when I found an organic cereal called Energy Start: Hi Protein Crunch from Back to Nature, I was sold. Not only would it provide me proteins that I am no longer getting from meat, but lots of other healthy things too. In this article, I will review two organic cereals that I have tried recently.

Back to Nature's Energy Start Hi-Protein Crunch with Energy Releasing B-Vitamins

It was the 'energy' written all over the box that drew me to this brand.

When I poured out my first bowl of the Energy Start, I was impressed. The cereal is bursting with different texture flakes and grains. According the box, this cereal mixture is made of corn flakes, soy flakes and crispy rice. The trio of flakes formed crunchy clusters.

The cereal tastes absolutely fabulous. It's crunchy, flavorful and holds up well. It was a sweet taste to it, almost like that of Honey Bunches of Oats. However, since there is nothing artificial about this cereal it's a healthy-for-you natural sweet. From looking at the ingredients I am assuming the sweetness comes from evaporated natural cane juice.

The Energy Start cereal contains lots of good vitamins: thiamin, riboflavin and niacin. The box states that these B-vitamins are essential for converting carbohydrates into fuel, hence their energy releasing properties.

It took me about a week to finish the box and I must say that I did feel great throughout the morning, did not feel compelled to snack and did feel more energized to get my day started.

The Energy Start Hi-Protein Crunch contains 15 grams of protein per serving, which is 26% of the recommended daily value. It is also a good source of fiber. I purchased a 14 0z. box of this cereal for $4.99. It's pricier than other cereals, but the health benefits are worth it.

Back to Nature Foods offers a host of other organic and health food items, although they began with its cereals in 1960. That longevity says something about the flavor and quality.

Nature's Path Organic Optimum Zen: Cranberry-Ginger for Inner Harmony

With a name like that, how could I resist. I was in the health food section of Wegman's and did not see the first cereal I tried, so I opted for the Optimim Zen mixture of grains. The box's design drew me to it-a piece of wheat in the middle of this orange-red sunburst just looked full of life. So, I bought it.

The cereal box's cover states that it is high in fiber and low in fat and sodium. It contains 8 grams of fiber, 5 grams of protein and soy isoflavones. When I poured by first bowl, I was delighted at the appearance. It is a very interesting mix of flakes, rice puffs, little clusters and little 'sticks' of bran. (Not quite sure what they are called, officially.) Of course, there were also chunks of dried cranberries. It sure is pretty to look at.

The cereal had a wonderful, relaxing flavor. It tasted of cinnamon or nutmeg and a little gingery-kind of like a more subtle gingersnap flavor. The cranberries were very yummy- not too dried our or hard to chew like other 'fruit' cereals.

I was very happy with the choice. The back of the box, which I enjoyed reading while eating, tells the story about the Zen moment and how Asian cultures believed that ginger can help enhance health by helping cleanse, as well as enhance inner harmony.

Since I am new to the organic food realm, one of my favorite observations is that ingredients are prominently and proudly displayed: they aren't hidden.

Nature's Path offers not only about 20 other cereals, but also a huge line of vegetarian and organic products, which can even be ordered on its website.

My favorite: It's hard to tell. Of these two, while I enjoy the flavor of the Optimum Zen cereal, I think the high-protein of the Energy Start. However, I look forward to trying more from both brands.