To spark up a fun, heated debate at your next socially-distanced park hang, ask everyone what their favorite breakfast cereal was as a kid. You’ll see all of their eyes light up as they remember the sweet (quite literally) nostalgia of scarfing down a bowl of Cocoa Pebbles, Honey Nut Cheerios, or Lucky Charms before the bus arrived in the mornings.
Breakfast as a child hit different, but that probably has everything to do with the fact that morning-time foods targeted towards kids contain an abysmal amount of sugar. As adults, we know better—yet it’s unfortunate that in the name of nutrition, we have to give up what brought us so much joy and comfort when we were young.
Thankfully, however, there’s been a recent increase in healthy alternatives to some of our childhood favorites. The sudden uptick in better-for-you-breakfast brands can be attributed to the constant stress, trauma, and fatigue that Millennials and Gen Zers have had to go through, according Emily Elyse Miller, founder of trendy cereal brand OffLimits. “We all have a craving for things that are delicious, comforting, and familiar,” she says via phone. “Being at home eating a bowl of cereal can conjure up a powerful nostalgic feeling when you’re in need of comfort.”
You no longer have to sacrifice your health goals or feel guilty after scarfing down a delicious bowl of cereal for dinner. Instead, you can opt for one of these healthful options.
Magic Spoon
Nostalgia takes center stage with this playfully packaged cereal brand. The best part about Magic Spoon is that each serving contains 13 to 14 grams of protein, helping keep you full throughout the day. Additionally, the cereal is sugar-free, keto-friendly, gluten-free, and grain-free—and is sweetened with natural ingredients like monk fruit extract.
OffLimits
OffLimits’ vegan, gluten-free, organic cereals only contain two to four grams of sugar per serving, yet are still delicious and appealing to people of all ages. On top of that, the cereals contain chill-inducing adaptogens like spirulina and ashwagandha to supercharge your days. What truly sets OffLimits apart, though, is that the brand uses cereal as a vehicle for culture with its cartoon characters and playful storytelling. The goal was to create new role models for the younger generation; take Dash, the bunny mascot for OffLimits’ cocoa and coffee flavor. She’s actually the first female cereal mascot—ever.
Three Wishes
If I had a genie who only granted cereal-related wishes, my ideal breakfast would be keto, paleo, and low-carb. Thankfully, you don’t need higher powers, as Three Wishes delivers without sacrificing taste. Plus, each box is vegan, gluten-free, and made of ingredients like chickpeas, pea protein, monk fruit, and tapioca salt.
Oatbox
For those who are always on the go, Oatbox offers subscription programs for its tasty granola, oatmeal, morning bars, and a ready-to-mix oat drink (all made with organic oat flakes and raw organic honey). There’s nothing like a natural and healthy breakfast delivered straight to your doorstep.
Táche
To pair with your new cereal and granola, you’re going to need a specialty beverage. Táche recently launched its pistachio milk: a dairy alternative that has fewer carbs, sugars, and calories than almond and oat milk. The bottle elevates your fridge game with its beautiful packaging, and is keto-friendly, unsweetened, kosher certified, non-GMO, gluten-free, and free from added oils.
And now, another important question: are you someone who pours the milk or the cereal first?
