The best cereals for pregnancy are those with high fiber and 100% of your daily folic acid needs—for instance, Total Cornflakes, TotalRaisin Bran, and Kellogg’s All-Bran.
During pregnancy, you no longer live for yourself alone but for your baby also. Therefore, any food you take nourishes not just your body but that of your baby.
If you are thinking of the best cereals for pregnancy, you’re at the right place, as we have a list of some cereals for you during this critical journey.
Table of Contents
- Best Cereal For Pregnancy
- Is It Safe To Eat Cereal During Pregnancy?
- Top Best Cereal For Pregnancy
- Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy
- Foods To Eat During Pregnancy
- Conclusion
Best Cereal For Pregnancy
Cereals are an ideal breakfast for rush hours or when you don’t like cooking.
The composition and ingredients are important no matter what time of the day you eat them.
To know which cereals are the best for pregnancy, make sure they tick the following rules:
- High in nutrients and low in added sugars.
- High in fiber.
- High in folic acid.
- It should have a balance of carbohydrates to provide you with the energy you need.
- It should be rich in fiber, minerals, and vitamins.
Benefits of Cereals
Cereals are an important food subclass the body needs. It plays a huge role that is beneficial in pregnancy.
Studies have linked cereal consumption with a reduced risk of cancer, constipation, colon disorders, and high blood sugar. The mother’s health also affects her baby’s health in the womb.
Cereals provide the body with the nutrients it needs since they can be an important part of the diet, provided they are consumed in the right quantities.
Apart from how easy to prepare cereals are, there are other benefits you can get from taking cereals during pregnancy.
- It encourages milk intake in women who do not drink milk.
- It is rich in fiber, minerals, and vitamins, so your body will get all the nutrients it needs from a single bowl of cereal.
- It improves your appetite.
- It is an excellent way of managing hunger pangs.
Is It Safe To Eat Cereal During Pregnancy?
During pregnancy, most moms wonder if cereal would be healthy for their babies, so I’m happy to inform you that cereal is a necessary part of your diet.
Cereals nourish the body with the necessary nutritional elements to grow and thrive.
Cereal consumption during pregnancy promotes placental development, fetal growth, and fetal development.
Cereals meet the nutritional needs of the mother and baby and reduce the risk of congenital disabilities.
It also prevents complications related to high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. Additionally, it checks weight-related issues by providing the body with the right amount of fat.
Can I Drink Cereal And Milk During Pregnancy?
Milk is a rich source of protein, so cereals without supplementary foods cannot meet the body’s protein requirements.
If cereals are eaten with milk or other protein sources, the milk will compensate for the cereal’s protein deficiency.
Top Best Cereal For Pregnancy
1. Post Spoon Size Shredded Wheat Cereal
Nutritional Information
| Per 100g | % DV | |
| Calories | 351 | 3 |
| Fat | 2.1 | 2 |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0 |
| Sodium | 2 | 0 |
| Potassium | 387 | 11 |
| Carbohydrates | 81 | 27 |
| Fibre | 12 | 48 |
| Sugar | 0.9 | |
| Protein | 12 | |
| Vitamin C | 0 | 0 |
| Iron | 13 | |
| Vitamin B6 | 5 | |
| Magnesium | 33 | |
| Calcium | 5 | |
| Vitamin D | 0 | 0 |
| Cobalamin | 0 | 0 |
Nutritional Information
| Per 100g | %DV | |
| Calories | 336 | |
| Fat | 2.3 | 3 |
| Cholesterol | 0 | 0 |
| Sodium | 9 | 0 |
| Potassium | 227 | 7 |
| Carbohydrates | 79 | 26 |
| Fibre | 8 | 32 |
| Sugar | 0.9 | |
| Protein | 13 | 26 |
| Vitamin C | 0 | |
| Vitamin B6 | 20 | |
| Iron | 16 | |
| Magnesium | 38 | |
| Calcium | 3 | |
| Vitamin D | 0 | 0 |
| Cobalamin | 0 | 0 |
3. Kellogg’s Unfrosted Mini Wheat Bites
| Per 100g | %DV | |
| Fat | 1 | 2 |
| Potassium | 250 | 7 |
| Carbohydrates | 45 | 15 |
| Cholesterol | 0 | 0 |
| Calories | 190 | |
| Fibre | 8 | 30 |
| As packaged | ½ cup of skimmed milk | |
| Cholesterol | 0 | |
| Sodium | 140 | 9 |
| Carbohydrates | 34 | 12 |
| Fibre | 18 | 65 |
| Protein | 3 | |
| Fat | 1 | 1 |
| Potassium | 0 | |
| Vitamin A | 0 | |
| Vitamin C | 10 | |
| Vitamin B6 | 20 | |
| Vitamin B12 | 20 | |
| Iron | 3.6 | 20 |
| Sugar | 0 | 0 |
5. Nature’s Path Synergy 8 Cereal
| Per 100g | %DV | |
| Calories | 100 | |
| Fat | 1 | 1 |
| Cholesterol | 0 | 0 |
| Sodium | 0 | |
| Carbohydrates | 24 | 9 |
| Fibre | 5 | 18 |
| Protein | 3 | |
| Vitamin D |
6. Weetabix
| Per 100g | |
| Calories | 362 kcal |
| Fat | 2g |
| Carbohydrates | 69 |
| Sugar | 4.2 |
| Fibre | 10 |
| Protein | 12 |
| Salt | 0.28 |
| Thiamine | 0.94 |
| Niacin | 14 |
| Riboflavin | 1.2 |
| Folic acid | 170 ug |
| Iron | 12 |
7. Kellogg’s All Bran Original
| Per 100g | %DV | |
| Calories | 260 | |
| Fat | 4.9 | 7 |
| Cholesterol | 0 | 0 |
| Sodium | 258 | 10 |
| Potassium | 1,020 | 29 |
| Carbohydrates | 74 | 24 |
| Fibre | 26 | 116 |
| Sugar | 16 | |
| Protein | 13 | 26 |
| Vitamin C | 33 | |
| Iron | 97 | |
| Vitamin B6 | 600 | |
| Magnesium | 90 | |
| Calcium | 38 | |
| Vitamin D | 42 | |
| Cobalamin | 313 |
| Per 100g | %DV | |
| Fat | 1.5 | 2 |
| Cholesterol | 0 | 0 |
| Sodium | 130 | 5 |
| Carbohydrates | 19 | 6 |
| Fibre | 2 | 8 |
| Protein | 3 | |
| Vitamin A | 10 | |
| Vitamin C | 8 | |
| Calcium | 10 | |
| Iron | 8.1 |
Other Healthy Brands Include
9. Quaker Instant Oatmeal
This cereal alternative contains a minimal amount of low saturated fat and cholesterol. Made from whole grain rolled oats, sugar, salt, nonfat dry milk, peaches, cream, tocopherols, natural flavors, and plant foods, it might help prevent and reduce heart disease.
10. Honey Nut Cheerios
This is gluten-free cereal for pregnant women who are watching their weight. In addition to lowering blood cholesterol levels, it is also thought to reduce the risk of heart disease.
It contains real honey with little saturated fat, corn starch, oat bran, natural almond flavor, brown syrup, tocopherols, zinc, vitamins, and minerals.
11. Magic Spoon
This cereal is a keto-friendly cereal diet, gluten-free, low in carbs, and high in protein. It has zero grain, artificial flavor, corn syrup, sugar, or alcohol.
It comes in various flavors such as cocoa, frosted, fruity, and peanut butter. Each serving would be around 3 – 4g of protein and 4 – 5g of carbohydrates.
12. Catalina Crunch Cinnamon
Crunchy, healthy cereal to help your pregnancy cravings. Keto-friendly is made with Catalina flour, potato fiber, chicory, corn fiber, guar gum, tapioca flour, cinnamon, sea salt, calcium carbonate, and natural flowers.
It has a total carbohydrate content of 14g, protein of 11g, and saturated and trans fat of 5g. It is non-GMO.
13. Bob’s Red Mill Organic Extra Thick Rolled Oats
Organic cereals are great to add to your pregnancy diet. Each pack of it comes with four cereals in one.
A cereal’s texture depends on how long it is cooked, and it contains fiber, sesame seeds, milk, soy, tree nuts, and wheat. It is verified as a non-GMO.
14. Nature Valley Soft-Baked Oatmeal Squarries
This cereal is made from fully natural sources. A perfect diet for pregnant women since it has no trans fat.
It is made with whole-grain oats, wheat flour, brown sugar, canola oil, tapioca syrup, vegetable glycerin, wheat, egg, milk, and soy. The texture is soft and has no artificial flavor, color, sweetener, or corn syrup.
15. Life Breakfast Cereal
Pregnant women who want to avoid gaining weight can benefit from this low-cholesterol cereal. The cereal contains 4g of protein and 33g of total carbohydrates.
16. Lucky Charms
This is ready-to-eat cereal. It can come in handy when you’re too tired to do anything.
It is gluten-free and is made with whole grain oats, sugar, corn syrup, gelatin, zinc, iron, other minerals, and flavors: artificial and natural. This is a good food to include in your pregnancy diet list.
17. Fruity Pebbles
Pregnant women can enjoy a gluten-free cereal breakfast meal. It contains vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D, that are low in fat and cholesterol.
Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy
Pregnancy can be such a daunting period. You crave many foods that may not be the best for you during this period.
Some foods are good for you outside of pregnancy, but while pregnant, everything you eat counts because it may directly affect your baby’s development.
While so many foods are available, you should avoid some of them as they may pose potential risks to you or your child.
Alcohol
Ordinarily, having some alcohol to calm your nerves after an exhausting day isn’t a bad idea. However, taking alcohol during pregnancy can expose you and the baby to health risks.
- Alcohol increases the risks of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
- It can lead to varying birth defects and mental retardation and affect the child’s learning ability.
- It can lead to low birth weight.
- It can cause small stature.
- It can lead to other possible side effects that you may not expect.
There’s no precise amount of alcohol that is considered safe during pregnancy. While it may not have an immediate effect, it can affect the child.
And since pregnancy is only for a while, it’s better to avoid it than risk the chances of ruining your baby for the short-lived pleasure alcohol gives.
Saccharine
Experts have warned pregnant women against taking artificial sweeteners, the most common of which is saccharine.
Saccharine has been found to cross the placenta into the baby’s bloodstream. A build-up of it in the baby’s bloodstream can potentially harm the baby.
- It may increase the risk of bladder cancer
- It can cause restlessness in the baby
Seafood With High Mercury Level
Seafood is some of the best foods to include during pregnancy. They’re proteinous, good for the skin, hair, and nails, and can promote the baby’s growth.
However, seafood with high mercury levels is potentially dangerous and can harm the baby’s nervous system.
Excessive Caffeine
Taking caffeine during pregnancy is safe. However, it should be in moderate amounts. Caffeine is known to increase the risk of miscarriage and high blood pressure.
Since it is also a stimulant, you may become overactive and tired once the effect has worn out.
Unpasteurized Cheese
Unpasteurized cheese has been found to cause Listeriosis, a dangerous form of high blood pressure caused by Listeria monocytogenes found in these foods.
- It increases the risk of miscarriage.
- Premature/stillbirth
- Babies exposed to listeria can fall ill and die.
Read: Can I Eat Calamari While Pregnant?
Foods To Eat During Pregnancy
As there are foods to avoid, there are several others that you can eat during pregnancy to nourish you and your baby.
Orange Juice
Orange juice can reduce blood pressure by up to 10 points and leave you with a bright complexion.
Banana-Strawberry Smoothie
Smoothies are very rich in fiber and nutrients. They help with weight management and improve your sleep patterns. They contain baby-friendly nutrients that can reduce pregnancy complications.
Salmon
Salmon is a great source of minerals and should be eaten moderately in, about 12 ounces per week.
Low Fat Yoghurt
Yogurt is rich and can fit into any diet because of its flexibility. It is an excellent source of calcium and protein, both of which are necessary for the baby.
- It reduces muscle cramping.
- It helps with water retention.
- It reduces uncomfortable bloating.
- It is needed for bone development in babies.
Related Posts:
- Grapefruit juice while pregnant
- Tropicana juice while pregnant
- Can I Eat Deli Meat When Pregnant
- 12 Ways To Cope With Hot Flashes While Pregnant
Conclusion
If you’re a cereal fan, you may wonder which of the many products is the best cereal for pregnancy.
If you already have one that you take, ensure that it is high in fiber and low in sugars, but if you’re looking for a way to increase the nutritional value, add toppings of your favorite vegetables or fruit. That way, you’ll get balanced nutrition from your cereal bowl.