Kashi Cereal Nutritional Information

Kashi cereal is based on the Russian breakfast food kasha, or porridge, made from toasted crushed grains and mixed with milk, fruit, sugar, or meat. A subsidiary of the Kellogg Company, Kashi produces a wide variety of all-natural cereals.

Types

The Kashi Company has 24 varieties of cold breakfast cereals under different product lines, including Go Lean, Good Friends, Heart to Heart, Healthy Sunshine, Kashi U, and Strawberry Fields.

Features

All Kashi cereals feature the same seven grains---red winter wheat, brown rice, whole grain oats, triticale, barley, rye, and buckwheat---with individual ingredients to give each product a distinct flavor.

Benefits

Kashi cereals are good for the heart. They are low in sodium and total fat, with no trans fats or saturated fats. Unlike heart-healthy competitors Cheerios and Kellogg's Smart Start line, many Kashi cereals are high in soy protein, making them an alternative to high-cholesterol, but high protein, breakfast staples like eggs and bacon.

Considerations

As a diet food, the whole grains in Kashi cereals make them higher in carbohydrates than many competing brands. Unless you're planning an active day or working out, Kashi cereals, even the Go Lean line, may not help.

Comparisons

Since Kashi cereal is unfortified, it contains fewer vitamins and minerals than most other cereals, with no vitamins A or C, and very little calcium or iron. It is a good source of potassium, which helps maintain strong bones and a healthy heart.