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Nutritious, tasty and reasonably priced can indeed go hand in hand, according to Consumer Reports' latest test of 26 high-fiber cereals, which put Target and Walmart's store-brands at the top of their list.
The benefits of fiber have long been touted - such as controlling appetite and weight and helping lower the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. But American adults consume an average of only 15 grams of fiber a day, according to the US Agriculture Department.
In its tests, Consumer Reports magazine scored taste, nutrition and cost, finding that Target's Market Pantry Frosted shredded wheat and Walmart's Great Value raisin bran were the best in their respective categories.
While 18 cereals ranked "very good" or "excellent" in taste, Bear Naked Fruit and Nut Granola was the only product that earned the taste rank of "excellent."
Here are the winners of the four high-fiber categories:
quicklist: media: 19905118 category: Granola title: Bear Naked Fruit and Nut Granola text: "Bear Naked granola has it all: large and small clusters with pecans, walnuts, almonds, raisins, cranberries, sesame seeds, coconut slivers, brown sugar, honey and cinnamon," Consumer Reports writes. The granola costs 37 cents for a quarter cup.
quicklist: media: 19905286 category: Shredded wheat title: Target Market Pantry Frosted Bite-Sized Shredded Wheat text: Target's store brand ranked "very good" in taste and led the "shredded wheat" category. And at 25 cents for one cup, the frosted cereal was a Consumer Reports "Best Buy."
quicklist: media: 19905505 category: Raisin Bran title: Great Value Raisin Bran text: Walmart's store brand led the "raisin bran" category and is Consumer Reports' other "Best Buy" at 22 cents for one cup. The cereal was rated as "very good."
quicklist: media: 19905310 category: Other High-Fiber Cereal title: Post Grape-Nuts The Original text: Post Grape-Nuts was rated "very good" in taste. The classic cereal costs 27 cents per half cup.