If you are looking to lose a few pounds, she says, all-bran, oatmeal and shredded wheat are good choices, because they "can curb mid-morning snacking by helping you feel full for longer." For stress, go for a fruit and fiber cereal, which is rich in carbohydrates and can boost levels of serotonin, a soothing substance in the brain.
Dowden says that if you are prone to weak blood or anemia, bran flakes and sultana bran are recommended because they are rich in iron, which helps manufacture hemoglobin to transport oxygen around the body. Corn flakes, bran flakes and rice krispies can help ward off heart disease because they contain folic acid, a substance that appears to cut the risk of coronary attacks.
"Some breakfast cereals are high in sugar and salt," she concedes, "but the upside is that they are often low in fat, high in energy-giving carbohydrates and, in many cases, rich in fiber." She says breakfast cereals advertised as "fortified" can add several vitamins and minerals to your diet -- and, of course, there are the health benefits from the milk you pour on, too.
