Muesli Fusion All-Natural Raw Cereal: Put to the Test

If you have ever been to Europe or Down Under, you know that muesli is standard breakfast fare there.

However, muesli has never really caught on in the USA, which is a shame because it's usually really healthy and a great way to start the day.

A new company, Muesli Fusion, hopes to change that and they recently sent me samples of their all-natural muesli to review.

If you are unfamiliar with muesli, it's basically a raw rolled oats based cereal that includes nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and other raw whole grains. It isn't the same thing as granola, which is sweetened and then baked.

Muesli Fusion is only sweetened by the dried fruit used and can be eaten cold with milk, soaked in water, soaked in juice, or prepared hot as you would oatmeal.

I tried four varieties of Muesli Fusion; An Ox, Harvest Festival, Athlete Fuel, and POW. For the sake of time and space, here's how An Ox stacked up.

Ingredients: Organic Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Goji Berries, Blueberries (blueberries, sugar, sunflower oil), Organic Whole Grain Rolled Rye, Walnuts, Organic Cocoa Nibs

Muesli Fusion contains only simple, wholesome ingredients, but I'll expound on just a couple of them.

Goji Berries: These tiny berries grow in parts of china and are rich in antioxidants. The have been used in Chinese medicine for centuries for their health promoting properties.

Sunflower Oil: This oil is high in omega-6 fatty acids, there is debate concerning the dangers of consuming too much omega-6.

Rolled Rye: This is a great choice for many, but those with gluten intolerance should be aware.

Cocoa Nibs: These are the real deal folks. Just small pieces of roasted cocoa beans.

Having lived in New Zealand for 4 years, I came accustomed to having half the cereal aisle filled with different types of muesli. Now back in the States, I miss this raw cereal. Muesli Fusion is a great find. All the varieties are tasty and contain only simple, natural ingredients. On the downside, as with many of these specialty products, Muesli Fusion is on the expensive side.

I know I could make my own muesli, but for me and other busy people Muesli Fusion is a great ready-to-go option. If you've never tried muesli, it can be a great addition to your healthy diet. Not only can it be eaten for breakfast, but muesli is a great addition to yogurt and muffins as well as can be added to desserts like apple crisp to make it more nutritious.

Overall, Muesli Fusion is a clean, wholesome product and a nice addition to the marketplace.

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Special K Cereal: True Health Revealed

Special K cereal is probably one of the most popular cereals for adults.

But, does that make it the healthiest? Probably not, considering the majority of people are overweight.

If you choose Special K cereal for your breakfast or as part of the Special K Diet, you may want to think again.

Rice followed by wheat gluten, and sugar are the first ingredients in Special K, original flavor. High fructose corn syrup follows closely after.

So far, this says to label readers that this cereal is sugary and likely has a high glycemic index. This means that the food will cause a faster spike in blood glucose, and then leave you feeling tired and hungry.

Wheat gluten is used to improve the texture and flavor.

Wheat germ is what gives the cereal most of its nutrition. Defatted means that the fat is taken out so that the grain has a longer shelf life. The wheat germ is what adds the small amount of fiber, and some of the protein to the cereal.

Special K contains a significant amount of salt (223mg). When reading cereal labels, I like to see the sodium below 200mg.

Dried whey is a common food additive used for flavor, and is actual whey protein with the moisture removed. This contributes to the protein content of the cereal.

Malt adds flavor as well. The remainder of the ingredients are added vitamins and minerals.

The calories aren't high, and the actual sugar (4g) is not outrageous even though the first few ingredients are sugar. This is surprising, but still does not make Special K cereal a healthy choice. The fiber content is actually less than a gram! The main problem I have with this cereal is that it is not a high enough quality grain. It lacks the necessary fiber, nutrients, and phytochemicals to start the day off right.

Many people use this cereal to control calories, but you would be better off eating a piece of fruit with a few almonds.

Do you eat Special K or have you tried the Special K Diet?

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