Wendyl wants to know: Hubbards using their nut with super cereal

Hubbards Natural Muesli 5 grains and Hazelnut. $6.69 for 590g.

Opinion

Nutritious, high-fibre, low-sugar muesli excellent way to start day

I know I'm not the only parent to stand for ages in the cereal aisle of the supermarket looking for a healthy breakfast for my family.

It really is difficult to find something that is low in sugar, high in fibre, low in fat and has few additives.

I can't claim that I found this one on one of my searches as my husband brought it home with two others since we were expecting guests over Easter.

As a guide a cereal without fruit or chocolate on its label is more likely to have less sugar than the others so this one was in with a chance.

Ingredients

• Wholegrains (87%) - Oats, triticale, barley, wheat, wheat flakes (wheat, sugar, inulin, barley malt extract, salt, emulsifier [471] vitamins [niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, folic acid], mineral [iron]], buckwheat).

These are all common wholegrains with the exception of buckwheat, triticale and wheat flakes. Buckwheat is not actually a cereal grain, it is actually a fruit seed that is related to rhubarb and sorrel.

Triticale is a hybrid of wheat and rye and is a good source of phosphorus and magnesium and a very good source of manganese.

I'm not sure you can technically call wheat flakes a wholegrain as they are similar to cornflakes in that they are a reconstituted product.

In this case they are made out of wheat, sugar, inulin which is added fibre and the other ingredients listed above.

Despite the wheat flakes, wholegrains are a great source of fibre and you'll get 5.3g per cup serve. We should aim to eat 25g of fibre per day for women and 30g for men.

• Brown sugar - Yay - this is a low sugar cereal product with just 2g per cup serve. Weet-Bix is still the king of low sugar cereals at 0.8g per two biscuits but this comes a close second.

• Pumpkin seeds - These are great for iron and omega-3 as well as protein and zinc.

• Almonds (1.4%) - These nuts are a complete protein with magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron and zinc.

• Hazelnuts (1.4%) - A complete protein and good source of vitamin E, iron, copper, calcium and manganese.

• Sunflower seeds - These have good levels of protein, vitamin E, magnesium and phosphorus.

• Cashews (1.2%) - Excellent source of copper which is good for the brain and joint system and a good source of protein.

• Linseeds - These are a rich source of omega-3 and are very good for your hair, skin and nails as well as being a good source of fibre.

• Sugar - This will contribute to the 2g per cup serve.

• Flavour (natural vanilla) - Good to see natural vanilla flavouring used here.

Recommendations

I'm not sure if you could get kids eating this but it does have a very nutty, vanilla flavour so it's worth a try.

This is a great way to start your day, with plenty of nutritious nuts and seeds, lots of fibre and not too much sugar. It is also very low in fat at 4.2g per serve which is a delight for muesli, which often has fat added when it is toasted.

What fat you get is from the nuts and seeds which is not only healthy fat but the way your body should consume it.

You could add some natural yoghurt for extra protein although you do get 6.1g per serve and top it with fresh fruit like feijoas or banana for some extra sweetness and fibre.