Start your day with these Winners in taste, nutrition and convenience.

Links go to the manufacturers' Web sites, where more information (including ingredients and online ordering, for some) is available. Click on product photo or manufacturer's link to see Nutrition Facts (data not verified by Winning Foods).

See Definitions page for a key to the RED SYMBOLS indicating nutrient/health claims and organic status.

McCann's
QUICK & EASY STEEL CUT IRISH OATMEAL
LF, LS, H, F

Steel cut oats win hands down over flaked oatmeal (especially instant varieties) in taste and texture and only take a couple more minutes to prepare. A 1/4 cup (before cooking) serving has 3-4 g fiber and 4 g protein. Cook with your favorite dried fruit and/or serve with nuts and fresh fruit for even more flavor and nutrition.
(www.mccanns.ie)

Kashi
HEART TO HEART Honey Toasted Oat Cereal
LF, LS, H, F

This oat cereal has great crunch and flavor without too much sugar, and is nutritionally well-balanced: 1.5 g fat, 5 g fiber, 4 g protein and 5 g sugars. Excellent source (via fortification) of vitamins A, C, E and various Bs; good source of iron and zinc.
(www.kashi.com for ingredients and updated Nutrition Facts)

Lifespring
ORGANIC FLAX PLUS WAFFLES
F, Org

Great taste and texture, due partly to "good" fats. Canola oil and flax meal add monounsaturated and some omega-3 fatty acids -- a welcome tradeoff from the mostly dry low-fat waffles out there. Total fat is 8 g (1 g saturated), fiber 5 g and protein 4 g. Sodium on the high side at 330 mg. Follow suggestions to thaw slightly before toasting and not to over-toast (prevents hard texture).
(www.naturespath.com -- click on blue Flax Plus box for nutrition and ingredients)

Morningstar Farms
VEGGIE SAUSAGE PATTIES (formerly BREAKFAST PATTIES)
F

Our tasters liked the flavor and texture of this veggie sausage. While much lower in fat than traditional pork sausages, there's still enough fat (3 g per pattie; 0.5 g saturated) to give these the right sizzle and mouth feel. Plenty of protein (10 g per pattie), some iron and various B vitamins (fortified) add to the appeal. Not the most "natural" product out there, however.
(www.morningstarfarms.com for updated Nutrition Facts)

Morningstar Farms
VEGGIE BACON STRIPS (formerly BREAKFAST STRIPS)

These look and read like a food scientist's experiment, but they satisfy a bacon craving if you don't crave all the saturated fat, etc. of the real thing. Cooked properly (microwave is easiest), they come out perfectly crisp, but not greasy. Only 60 calories and 0.5 g saturated fat for 2 strips. Excellent source of thiamin (fortified), but not a good source of protein or fiber. Sodium is lower than for most cured bacons, but still isn't low.
(www.morningstarfarms.com for updated Nutrition Facts)

Olympia Granola Bars (formerly Olympic)
SUNSHINE BAR and TRAIL BARS
LS, F

This substantial grain and nut bar has a great texture (not too hard or crumbly) and pleasant taste that isn't too sweet. One bar is two servings; each is a good source of fiber, with 5 g protein, low sodium, and 9-10 g fat (but a whole bar will be a whopping 18-20 g fat). Saturated fat is mostly from cocoa butter (relatively better source), but a bit high. We liked the Sunshine (Lemon Chamomile flavor) best, but all have similar nutrition and great taste with no scary ingredients.
(OlympiaGranola.com -- Where/why did they hide the nutrition info?)

Baker's Breakfast Cookie
FRUIT & NUT BREAKFAST COOKIE
F

This cookie is easier to eat than a muffin when you're on the go (i.e., one-handed), and has a lot more going for it than most muffins (not to mention most cookies): great taste and texture plus balanced nutrition (per 1.5 oz serving, about 1/2 cookie: 3.5 g fat, good source of fiber, higher than average protein and iron) (label shows old nutrition for full cookie and improper rounding). Other flavors available.
(ingredients but no nutrition info: www.bbcookies.com)

Bob's Red Mill
10 GRAIN PANCAKE & WAFFLE MIX
LS, F

Great blend of grains, finely milled for a texture that's light (similar to thin, Swedish-style), but holds up well to nut butter, syrup, etc. Nice "country kitchen" taste. Good source of protein, fiber and calcium. The mix itself is low in fat (1 g per generous 1/2 cup serving); prepared as directed, fat (from oil and egg) goes up to 10 g (can be reduced by using less oil and/or no egg yolk). Sodium is high. Tasters liked the pancakes prepared with less water, for slightly thicker cakes.
(www.bobsredmill.com Nutrition info on their site may be incorrect, especially for minerals)

Stonyfield Farm
SUPER SMOOTHIE (various fruit flavors)
LF, Org

Appealing for their convenience (no spoon required), taste and nutrition. Creamy yet clean (not too thick) texture, and slightly less sugar than other drinkable yogurts, but still fairly high. Low in fat (3 g per 10 oz bottle), and balanced with 10 g protein. Excellent source of calcium and vitamin D. Contains live active cultures. Nutrition shown is for Raspberry flavor. Add your own plain yogurt and blend... to lower the sugar.
(updated nutrition at www.stonyfield.com)

Whole Soy
CULTURED SOY DRINK -- Raspberry or Apricot Mango
LF,LS, H, Org

Discontinued.... Try their soy yogurts and soy frozen yogurts: www.wholesoy.com