Here are some shopping tips for buying wholegrain breads and cereals:

1. Stick with wholegrain varieties, including whole wheat, multigrain, rye, oat bran and oat. This goes for all types of bread, sliced bread, pitta and crisp breads etc.
2. Although “wheat” bread might sound just as healthy as “whole-wheat” bread, don’t be fooled. It’s merely a blend of white and whole-wheat flour. A product labelled “whole-wheat” must be made from 100% whole-wheat flour.
3. Check the label and choose breads with at least 2 grams of fibre per slice.
4. Don’t forget to check the expiry date on the label.
5. Take advantage of the fibre that some cereals pack in and choose varieties that have at least 2 grams of fibre per serving. You can usually (not always) get a sense of whether a cereal has fibre from the name on the box. This includes such things as, Bran-Flakes, All-Bran and Shredded Wheat.
6. Some cereals pack in more sugar and salt than most people realise. Check the ‘Total Carbohydrates against the Sugars’ (on the nutrition label) to make sure sugar is not a main ingredient. In fact, opt for the brands that have 6 grams of sugar or less per serving. If your kids (or spouse) insist on the sugary brands, mix it with half a bowl of a healthier look-like, for example, half Frosted Flakes and half Bran Flakes. Or even put yourself first and say no to them for once!
7. Check the serving size. Some of the denser, heavier cereals only give a small amount for one serving. Avoid muesli for this reason.