Raisin Bran - to buy or not to buy...

Bran cereal is good for you. Raisins are good for you (though higher in sugar content). Skim milk (Soy, Almond, whatever your pleasure) is good for you.

Raisin Bran cereal - not so much.

Stats:

1 cup serving
190 calories
1g fat
46g carbs
17g sugar
5g protein
5g fiber

Make your own:

3/4 cup Bran Cereal
10-12 raisins

120 calories
1g fat
31g carbs
8g sugar (less than 1/2 of Raisin Bran!)
3.5g protein
5g fiber

If you add 1/3 cup of skim milk to the mix, it only brings your grand total to 150 calories and ups the protein to 6g! When you add the same amount of milk to Raisin Bran - it brings it up to 220. Now maybe 70 calories isn't that big of a deal for you, but it is half the amount of sugar. If you like your cereal a little sweeter, add Stevia or Splenda - for zero calories.

Now I'm not knocking Kellogg's (I happen to love most of their cereals), I just wish they'd get on the bandwagon and lighten up a little. Plus, let's be honest, Raisin Bran is expensive! You can buy generic, sure. Or you can buy generic bran flakes and raisins. After all, raisins are good to have on hand to toss in oatmeal, throw into some homemade granola or snack mix, cookies, whatever!