Diet Food Reviews
Nature's Path Organic Optimum Power Breakfast Cereal
By: | Mar 23, 2006
Nature's Path Organic Optimum Power Breakfast Cereal is absolutely wonderful - I hardly know where to begin with the description. First off, the packaging is a bit unassuming, but you can just tell it's supposed to be healthy - but healthy doesn't always equal to great taste. On the box, there's words like "flax, soy, blueberry, organic, whole grain" - I get it, it's healthy. There's almost too many "healthy words" on this box, which may explain why it sat around my apartment for a long time before it got eaten. And, even then, I only tried it because I there was almost nothing else left. I was pleasantly surprised by the taste - actually, more like shocked! I'll tell you, I expected something that tasted like twigs or tree bark. Instead I got sweet, and crunchy, and what is that thing in it that's kind of just pops in your mouth? I think it's puffed Kamut! That is new to me - but it's an excellent addition to the texture of this cereal.
I was a little disappointed with the amount of blueberries in the cereal. It actually would be more like a garnish, except you really can't even see any. I poured 2 cups of cereal and I literally counted 6 freeze-dried blueberries. I only mention it because the words are in such big, bold, print on the box - but really, you can't even taste it in the cereal. I believe in fairness in marketing on packaging. If you are going to 'hype it up' then make sure there's plenty of it included.
A 14 ounce box costs $2.58, which is about average for a box of cereal. One cup of cereal offers up 190 calories (230 calories when you add skim milk), 2.5 grams of fat which includes 500 mg (0.5 grams) of omega-3-fatty acids. There's also 10 grams of fiber which is 40% of the daily recommended amount, 16 grams of sugars and 8 grams of proteins. Add to this, 100% folic acid and vitamin B-12. Some may say it is high in calories, and I do agree that it may be a wee bit higher than some others, but the calories are coming from all good stuff - like whole wheat, evaporated cane juice, soy flour, oat bran, freeze-dried blueberries - all organic.
Kashi Go Lean Crunch has been my favorite cereal since 2004 because of the great taste and the fact that it has 8 grams of fiber which is almost one third of the daily rcommended amount. Although Nature's Path Optimum Cereal is higher in calories - calorie counting is not everything. I also want to ensure good health also and for this reason - I'm going to say that I now have two favorite cereals!
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I totally agree with you on your top choices: Kashi go lean Crunch! Is far and away my favorite, and Optimum Power is next. No other Optimum variety is as good a mix of sweet and crunchy tastes, and no other Kashi (I know you disagree here) is anywhere near as good. Most of the Kashi cereals are like dry puffs of dullness.