Nutritionists are constantly encouraging us to eat more high-fiber foods and whole grains, which help lower the risk of heart disease and even some cancers. But according to Oz Garcia, celebrity nutritionist for stars like Hilary Swank, if you’re getting your fiber and grains from breakfast cereal, that’s probably not the healthiest way to go. Most commercial “healthy” cereals are packed with additives, he says. “Unless you are purchasing cereal from a health food store, many brands that are marketed as healthy are usually full of sugar and processed ingredients,” says Garcia.
So when you’re choosing cereal, bread or any other whole-grain product, Garcia recommends reading labels with a critical eye. “Many whole wheat breads are not entirely whole grain. They are often processed with artificial ingredients and can even be caramelized for coloring,” he says.