What better way is there to start the morning than with a bowl of hot breakfast cereal? If you choose a whole grain, it'll give you a nutritional edge over most of the heavily sweetened processed breakfast cereals that line grocery store shelves. One popular choice of hot breakfast cereal is Cream of Wheat. This cereal can be prepared in under three minutes making it convenient for busy mornings where time is a premium. But, is it a good choice when it comes to nutrition? Is Cream of Wheat healthy?

    What is Cream of Wheat?

    Cream of Wheat is a breakfast cereal marketed by B and G Foods that's made of ground wheat or farina. This cereal is prepared by boiling water and slowly stirring the farina into hot water until it thickens to a porridge-like consistency. Some people add additional flavorings and additives such as fruit, maple syrup, or nuts to create flavored Cream of Wheat.

    Nutritional Profile

    Cream of Wheat wins points for being low in calories. At only 120 calories per cup, it, at first, seem to be a good choice for those who are watching their waistline. It's also fat-free and sodium free which is positive in terms of heart health. It has a moderate amount of carbohydrates at 23 grams per cup, but the real health drawback is that it has no fiber. The bran is stripped from the wheat during processing which removes the natural fiber found in the wheat. Because it lacks fiber, it's also high on the glycemic scale, meaning it elevates blood glucose and insulin levels rapidly which isn't a positive for diabetics or anyone else concerned with maintaining stable blood sugar levels. Some experts believe that high glycemic foods like Cream of Wheat promote fat storage which can lead to weight gain. This means that despite its low calories, it still may not be good choice for people who are weight conscious. On the plus side, it has been enriched with the B vitamins, vitamin A, and iron.

    Is It a Good Choice for Breakfast?

    Cream of Wheat is a decent source of some vitamins and iron, but it lacks the soluble fiber that's so important for heart health. Plus, it's a processed carbohydrate that spikes insulin levels which can negatively affect overall health. If given a choice, you're better off sticking with a fiber rich cereal such as old-fashioned oats. Oatmeal is an excellent source of fiber and won't cause jumps in glucose or insulin levels. It's also relatively easy to prepare and is filling. When it comes to hot cereals, stick with oatmeal and, if you enjoy it, use Cream of Wheat as a special weekend treat.

    麦乳真的有益健康吗？

    不少人每天早上都是喝上一碗热乎乎的麦片粥然后开始一天的工作，不过早餐还有没有其他更好的选择呢？如果是吃全麦面包的话，它的营养价值要远远高于那些在任何一个小零售部货架上都随处可见的甜得发腻又过于精细的早餐麦片。麦乳就是一种很畅销的早餐麦片。因为这种麦片不到三分钟就能泡好，所以对于那些早上没时间的人来说真的很方便。但是，如果说到营养价值的话那它还算是个好的选择吗？麦乳真的有益于健康吗？

    什么是麦乳？

    麦乳是一种早餐麦片，由B&G食品股份有限公司推出，主要成分是研磨过的小麦以及淀粉。冲这种麦片要用开水，然后慢慢搅拌直到淀粉融入水中变成稠糊糊的粥状物就可以了。有些人还会加一些其他的东西在里面来调节口味，例如加点水果、糖枫汁或者坚果，这样一杯好喝的麦片粥就做好了。

    营养状况

    麦乳的卡路里极低，这一点给它大大加分。首先由于每杯麦乳中只含120个卡路里，这在那些时刻关注自己腰围的人看来似乎是个不错的选择。而且麦乳不含脂肪也不含钠，对人们的心脏很有好处。但是，它的碳水化合物含量不高，每杯只有23克；而且对人体健康最不利的一点就是它基本上不含纤维素。因为在麦片制作过程中人们会把麦麸去掉，这样一来麦子中天然含有的纤维素也就没有了。由于麦乳缺乏纤维素，而它自身的含糖量又很高，那么喝麦乳就会迅速增高人体血糖含量，血液中的胰岛素含量也会随之大幅升高，这对于糖尿病患者以及想保持血糖稳定的人来说可不是个好消息。有些专家认为像麦乳这样可以让血糖迅速升高的食物会促进脂肪堆积进而让人发胖。也就是说，虽然它的卡路里很低但是对于减肥人士来喝麦乳可能不是个好的选择。不过从另一方面讲，它的维B,维A和铁的含量还是挺高的。

    拿它当早餐是一个好的选择吗？

    麦乳富含多种维生素和铁元素，但是它不含对心脏健康极为重要的可溶纤维。此外，由于麦片里的碳水化合物经过了加工处理，会迅速提高血糖含量，所以对人体的整体健康相当不利。如果有的选择的话，大家最好还是选富含纤维素的老式燕麦片。因为纤维素含量高就可以避免血糖及胰岛素的含量急剧升高的情况出现。而且它做起来也很方便，还能让人产生饱腹感。即使有麦片粥，你还是选燕麦粥吧，不过如果你愿意，可以周末的时候喝喝麦乳就当调节口味了。