I’ve had a number of questions about the emerging “health” and “paleo” cereals on the market, so begin The “Cereal” Reviews with Forage Cereal’s Paleo version.
Please note, my intention is to provide factual information and personal opinion only.
Forage Cereal is a Melbourne brand designed by Dr Damian Kristoff. To quote from the Forage Cereal website, Dr Kristoff is renowned for his “visionary approach to health, nutrition and lifestyle” and “entrepreneurial ways by which he is inspiring change in the lives of millions across the globe”.
The secret to Forage Cereal is apparently its natural Intelligence, or nQ. You can read more about this here, but in summary it is their definition of nutrient density. To quote the Forage team once again, “Forage breakfast range provides the healthiest start to the day to run our bodies at peak potential”.
But does it?
Forage Paleo
The details
Benefits:
- Gluten free
- Grain free
- High in plant protein
- Vegan
- High in good fats
- No added sugar
Ingredients:
- Sunflower Seeds
- Almonds
- Macadamia Nuts
- Currants
- Pepitas
- Dates
- Pecan Nuts
- Cranberries
- Coconut
Cost:
- For 1kg, it ranges from $31.60-$33.35.
The review
When compared to our traditional cereals, Forage Paleo can be considered an exception to my “cereal is not food” statement. It’s packed full of nutrition from the nuts and seeds, but is too high in sugar to be considered breakfast in my opinion. The dried fruit (currants, dates and cranberries) contributes to a total sugar content of 23g per 100g, or 23%. Taste-wise it is nice and far superior to some gluten free cereals, but it is also very sweet, which stimulates our desire for more sweet food and starts the dreaded blood sugar – insulin roller coaster.
Forage Cereal also comes in Forage Original (16.3% sugar), Forage Bircher (8.5% sugar) and Forage Porridge (17.1% sugar). Click here for more information on their product range. If you are making the transition from traditional cereals and aren’t yet ready to make your own, Forage Bircher is my pick of the bunch (purely based on its <10% sugar content). I would much prefer you made an omelette, smoothie, or my Sugar Free Breakfast Cereal, but it is also good to have a back-up plan for busy mornings, or when your only other option is a brand of cereal I best not mention (this should never happen, but I’m wearing my practical hat today).
In summary, as the entire Forage range is gluten free, it can be considered a significant improvement on our traditional cereals, but at over $30 per kilogram, I’m more than happy making my own. Remember, the best way to start your day is with real nutrient dense food – lean protein, non-starchy vegetables and essential fats. Try my Spinach Coconut Crepe and Choco-Nutty Delight for some more low sugar, super easy and highly nutritious breakfast ideas.
Have you come across any health or paleo “cereals” you’d like to know more about? Bear in mind I eat 100% gluten free, so will only be taste-testing certified gluten free products.