So let’s see how freeze-dried strawberries stack up towards a cereal with an identical taste profile, like Froot Loops. A single 39 gram serving of the standard cereal (roughly one and one-third cups) incorporates 2 grams of each protein and fiber, 4.5 milligrams of iron, and 80 micrograms of folate. In contrast, there’s 1 gram of protein, 3 milligrams of iron, and no folate in nearly the identical quantity of freeze-dried strawberries—however a whopping 7 grams of fiber.
There’s additionally the price issue, which is usually a huge barrier to entry for a development like this, says Harbstreet. Freeze-dried fruit isn’t precisely low-cost (one 1.2-ounce bag at Dealer Joe’s is nearly $3, and that’s an entire serving should you’re trying to eat it in cereal kind). Plus, you would possibly want multiple serving to actually really feel full from the hack. On the flip facet, a field of Froot Loops at Walmart prices lower than $4 and incorporates six servings per field. “I’m actually not discouraging you from attempting so as to add fruit in any kind, however for most individuals that is most likely a cost-prohibitive technique,” she says.
The takeaway? Don’t write off this development utterly, however don’t count on it to be a filling—or cost-effective—breakfast different both. As a substitute, contemplate it a snack. Or possibly even higher, choose and select elements of the developments to get probably the most out of it with out breaking the financial institution, Harbstreet says. As an example: Merely add some freeze-dried fruit to real-deal cereal to get extra fiber quite than making it your whole bowl. Or eat it with a high-protein staple like yogurt.
With Harbstreet’s tentative stamp of approval, I made a decision to check out this development as a snack, as one thing candy after my protein-rich however admittedly fiberless meal. I figured it’d be a great way to assist me get a bit extra of that important nutrient.
I’m going to be trustworthy: I don’t usually go for well being meals developments as a result of they normally don’t style pretty much as good and are solely marginally (or in no way) extra nutritious. However I’ve to confess that I used to be pleasantly shocked by this hack. I mixed three sorts of freeze-dried fruit—mango, blueberries, and strawberries—and was shocked at how candy, crunchy, and pleasant it ended up being. All in all, not a far cry from the bowls of sugary cereal I do know and love.
One phrase of recommendation: Use warning when selecting your fruit, as a result of some—just like the blueberries—will tint your entire mouth darkish purple, prefer it did to mine. However, so long as you may have nowhere to be or any vital conferences to attend, dig in with abandon. It’s what your internal youngster would need.
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