March is National Nutrition Month – which makes it a great time to check-in and make sure we’re balancing healthy choices and our favorite foods. I prefer to make small, realistic improvements to my diet (instead of dramatic changes that won’t last). And so, the first stop on my check-in is a food I eat almost every day – cereal.

Cereal is one of my favorites – it’s great for breakfast or a snack. For this post, I’m sharing some tips on how to make your bowl of cereal better for you with some healthy swaps.

There are so many ways to enjoy cereal – it can be a nutritious start to your day or a sugary snack attack! And while it doesn’t require any cooking – a smart bowl of cereal does take some thought and planning. If you want to start your day with a balanced breakfast, consider everything you’re pouring into that bowl.

Choosing a good combination of whole grains and protein can help keep you full through lunch. And there are so many combinations of cereal and toppings so the whole family can enjoy creating their own perfect bowl.

Tips to Make a Better Bowl of Cereal:

1. Cereal.

Start with the best base possible – whole grains, a short ingredient list, low in sugar. Check the serving size to make sure it’s reasonable or do the math to figure out the nutrition stats for the amount you usually eat. There are so many options that it’s easy to accommodate different taste and dietary preferences!

2. Milk.

Reach for dairy milk. Dairy milk adds the most protein per serving compared to alternatives with 8 grams per serving, which can help keep you full longer. Remember to look for the Real California Milk seal when grocery shopping to ensure it’s real food from real people. California dairy farm families help ensure all people have access to quality, sustainable and nutrient-rich foods.

3. Fruit.

Adding fruit like berries can sweeten your bowl without adding a lot of sugar. Added bonus, blueberries and raspberries are rich in antioxidants.

Tip: Choose fruits that are in season for the sweetest and often most reasonably priced options.

4. Nuts & Seeds.

Nuts and seeds add healthy fats and fiber. Crunchy toppings like nuts or if you prefer, chewy seeds, add interesting texture too.

Mixing up different flavors and textures can help keep your bowl of cereal from getting boring. Tasty toppings like crunchy nuts and seasonal fruits add nutrition benefits too. You can also swap out milk for your favorite Real California Milk yogurt instead.

Choose your favorite healthy toppings to create a meal or snack that not only taste good, but also makes you feel great!

My bowl is piled high with whole grain flakes, granola, Real California milk, raspberries, walnuts and chia seeds. I switch up the fruit depending on what’s in season to make sure it’s sweet. And I’ll add different nuts or seeds depending on what I have on hand. This is the perfect mix of flavors and textures – it’ll probably be in my breakfast rotation for a while.

Hope these tips help you create a delicious start to your day! Enjoy!!

Question: What did you have for breakfast?

This post is sponsored by Real California Milk.