To me, breakfast cereal is the quintessential morning meal. (I would love to start my mornings with a big bowl of Blueberry Chex and ice-cold oat milk every day!) However, most breakfast cereals on the market today are highly processed and full of added refined sugar. So, after a quick internet search for “healthiest cereals”, I decided it is probably best to stick with real, whole ingredients. That’s when I discovered muesli. Muesli is a traditional European breakfast cereal consisting mainly of oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. It can be eaten with milk like cereal, warmed like oatmeal, or as a parfait by pairing with your favorite yogurt.
Here at The Co-op, you can find all those ingredients (and more!) in our bulk department. Use our bulk department to make your own muesli – bring your own containers or use ours! Any way you mix it, it will be a choice you can feel good about, and it’s good for you too. Here are some of my favorite muesli staples and mix-ins from our bulk department:
Rolled Oats
The base of any great muesli starts with oats and rolled oats seem to work the best in this application. They can be eaten raw or toasted in the oven with some warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice. Oats are a great source of soluble fiber, plant protein, and are heart-healthy.
Sliced Almonds
A perfect addition, almonds contain healthy fats, fiber, protein, and magnesium. Try toasting raw sliced almonds along with the rolled oats for a crispier nut. Did you know that almonds are actually fruits?! The fuzzy green fruit is similar to a plum, and once ripe, harvesters remove the flesh revealing the nut inside.
Maple Glazed Pecans
A hint of natural maple syrup on these nuts adds a bit of sweetness to your morning meal without going overboard. These maple glazed pecans are crispy enough to forgo toasting. Did you know: the word “pecan” is actually a Native American word that was used to describe nuts requiring a stone to crack.
Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are like little warriors for your immune system because they contain antioxidants such as beta carotene and selenium. Also, if you are into seed cycling for hormone health, try alternating pumpkin seeds and sunflower seed kernels as needed.
Flax Seeds
A powerhouse ingredient, flax seeds almost have too many health benefits to list. Flax aids in almost every bodily system from healthy joints, healthy digestion, to healthy skin; it’s even a known mood booster and has anti-aging properties (score!)
Dried Cranberries
Cranberries possess natural detoxifying and antibacterial properties. Dried cranberries are a convenient way to add more fruit, and a pop of flavor, to your morning routine. Our sweetened dried cranberries are naturally sweetened with evaporated cane juice, which is still sugar, but is a better option than unrefined sugar.
Crystalized Ginger
Why not start your day with a little spice? Ginger is a digestion superstar as it speeds up the digestion process and combats nausea/upset stomach. Try adding some chopped up crystalized ginger to your muesli or try some of our turmeric-ginger cashews for a sugar-free option.
Coconut Flakes
Packed with healthy fats and fiber, you really can’t go wrong with coconut. It’s also low in carbs so adding coconut to our diets can help to control our blood sugar levels. Try pairing with dried pineapple for a tropical muesli or with chocolate chips and almonds for more of an Almond Joy vibe.
Fresh Fruit
After stocking up on your dry goods, slide on over to our produce department for some seasonal fruit. Berries, bananas, and apple slices are my go-tos. There’s no wrong way to top your muesli!
Any way you mix it, you can’t go wrong with muesli, so try experimenting with this traditional breakfast food today! Just remember, if you are buying these ingredients from our bulk department, please don’t mix them together until after you get home – they are all different prices and must be weighed separately at the register.
