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 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, 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 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, 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 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 6 g and protein 5 g; good source of iron. Follow suggestions to thaw slightly before toasting and not to over-toast (prevents hard texture).
(www.naturespath.com -- click on blue box for updated nutrition and ingredient info)

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.
(www.morningstarfarms.com for updated Nutrition Facts)

Morningstar Farms
VEGGIE BACON STRIPS (formerly BREAKFAST STRIPS)

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

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 g fat, good source of fiber, higher than average protein and iron) (label shows nutrition for full cookie). Other flavors available.
(www.bbcookies.com -- click on "Breakfast Cookie" then Fruit & Nut for updated Nutrition Facts)

Bob's Red Mill
10 GRAIN PANCAKE & WAFFLE MIX
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). Tasters liked the pancakes prepared with less water, for slightly thicker cakes.
(www.bobsredmill.com)

Stonyfield Farm
SMOOTHIE (various fruit flavors)
(formerly called Drinkable Yogurt)
LF, Org

Appealing for their convenience (no spoon required), taste and nutrition. Creamy yet clean (not too thick) texture, and a little less sugar than other drinkable yogurts (per 8 oz serving), but still low in fat (3 g per 10 oz bottle), and balanced with 2 g fiber and 9 g protein. Excellent source of calcium. Contains live active cultures. Nutrition shown is for Raspberry flavor.
(www.stonyfield.com)

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

Light yet creamy nondairy beverage with excellent taste, although a tad high in sugar (but much of it comes from fruit). This is the best soy smoothie we have evaluated. Excellent source of calcium, low in fat (3 g per 8 oz), plus 7 g protein from soy. Contains live active cultures. Nutrition shown is for Raspberry flavor (8 oz portion), but we liked the Apricot Mango equally well (nutrition is almost identical for the two).
(www.wholesoy.com)