With an impressive 6 grams of fiber and a super short list of ingredients (wheat and one preservative), shredded wheat is a super healthy cereal. Top it with fresh or frozen berries for an extra boost of antioxidants and fiber. Filling, simple and delicious. Find more healthy breakfasts here.
Too much sugar can increase your risk of unhealthy weight gain, obesity and heart disease. Before pouring yourself a bowl of shredded wheat, however, know that the low amount of sugar is found only in the regular variety.
In fact, most cereals list sugar as the second or third ingredient. Starting the day with a high-sugar breakfast cereal will spike your blood sugar and insulin levels. A few hours later, your blood sugar may crash, and your body will crave another high-carb meal or snack — potentially creating a vicious cycle of overeating ( 5 ).
Remember that the starches in wheat, corn, or a bowl of rice cereal break down quickly in your body into SUGAR and immediately do as much harm to your blood sugar regulation system as if you ate 40-60 grams of pure corn syrup or pure table sugar.
How much sugar is in shredded wheat?
Compared to most other types of breakfast cereal, plain shredded wheat contains less than 1 gram of sugar per cup. This means that a shredded wheat bowl is a smart breakfast choice, especially considering that women should limit their sugar intake to 24 grams daily (about 6 teaspoons), and men shouldn’t have more than 36 grams (about 9 teaspoons), according to the American Heart Association. Too much sugar can increase your risk of unhealthy weight gain, obesity and heart disease. Before pouring yourself a bowl of shredded wheat, however, know that the low amount of sugar is found only in the regular variety. A cup of frosted shredded wheat contains 11.6 grams of sugar, which is almost 3 teaspoons.
In addition to pouring milk over a shredded wheat bowl, there are other ways to incorporate the food into your diet. Top a serving of low-fat plain yogurt with crushed shredded wheat and fresh berries, or break several pieces of Post shredded wheat over a bowl of fresh fruit salad with bananas, kiwi, strawberries and apples. Crushed shredded wheat will increase the nutritional value of a bowl of oatmeal, as well as add a bit of crunch to the food.
Further, an article published in the journal “JAMA Internal Medicine” in 2011 reported that the fiber in cereal is the best type of fiber for cutting your risk of certain health conditions, although part of the benefit might come from the other nutrients in cereal.
Iron helps you produce red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout your body. The same cup of plain shredded wheat cereal also delivers 1.49 milligrams of zinc. That’s 19 percent of the 8 milligrams of zinc women require each day and 14 percent of the 11 milligrams men need.
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