Nature's Path Organic Optimum Power Breakfast Cereal

By: Tanya Taylor, PhD | 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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