What is muesli, breakfast cereal?

Muesli is a cereal made from toasted whole oats, nuts, fruit and typically wheat flakes. Since it uses whole grains, it is high in dietary fiber, and because it relies on the natural sweetness of the fructose in fruit, it is also low in sucrose. Depending upon the proportion of nuts, it can also be relatively high in protein, unlike most other breakfast cereal. The term Muesli, of which there are many variant spellings, derives from the Swiss German word mus, which means 'mixture'.

Packaged Muesli-Packaged muesli is a loose mixture of mainly rolled oats together with various pieces of dried fruit, nuts, and seeds. It commonly contains other rolled cereal grains such as wheat or rye flakes as well. In mass-market brands, large amounts of sugar and whey are usually included, which give it a far sweeter and richer taste than traditional muesli. There are many varieties, some of which may also contain honey, spices, or chocolate.

Fresh Muesli- Muesli can also be freshly prepared using either dry rolled oats or whole grain oats that have been soaked in water or fruit juice. Other ingredients commonly included are additional grated or chopped fresh fruit, dried fruit, milk products , lemon juice, ground nuts, seeds, spices (especially cinnamon), honey, etc.

Crushed Muesli- Crush the muesli coarsely or finely as per the recipe. Crushed muesli is usually used as dessert topping or to make healthy smoothies.

Powdered muesli- Dry ground the roasted muesli into fine or coarse powder as per the recipe. The powdered muesli can be stored in an airtight container and used as desired.

How to select muesli, breakfast cereal

Those who prefer not to make their own cereal can purchase a number of commercial varieties, including a version by Kellogg's. Natural food or health food stores often have several lesser known brands, or may make their own cereal in bulk. Muesli flakes, muesli cereal, fruit muesli cereal, fruit muesli, frosted flakes cereal, dried fruit muesli, frosted corn flakes cereal are a few common variations available. Check the expiry date before buying.

Culinary Uses of muesli, breakfast cereal

· Oats can be soaked overnight in juices or water instead of being toasted fresh. Newer additions to the ingredients in this cereal are constantly appearing. Different fruits, like berries and grapes, or tropical fruits like apples and bananas, are added.
· The addition of coconut flakes and macadamias can convert this cereal into Hawaiian muesli.
· Some people add honey or even chocolate to their homemade versions.
· Muesli can be used as a dessert topping, or added to yoghurt or cottage cheese
· Muesli is also a popular ingredient in recipes. It can be added to muffins, cookies, or warm fruit salad.

How to store muesli, breakfast cereal

Muesli can be freshly prepared or stored in an airtight container.

Health benefits of muesli, breakfast cereal

· Muesli is usually an excellent breakfast food because of its nutritional value. It is generally easy to prepare and also economical, depending on one's choices of additions.
· It is also quick to serve, once prepared, so it is an ideal choice for those wit busy lives
· Products made from whole oat and wheat grains are rich in fibre and essential trace elements.
· Milk products, often served with muesli, are a rich source of calcium and protein.
· People with a low tolerance to wheat gluten can prepare muesli at home or find gluten-free commercial brands in natural food stores. Eliminating the wheat flakes and substituting crisped rice or other crisped grains can significantly reduce the gluten. · However, one needs to be extra cautious while buying muesli, as it may contain added sugar. So make your choice wisely.

Glycemic Index of muesli, breakfast cereal

The varieties without added sugar or honey have low GI. The low glycemic index of muesli without added sugar or honey helps with diabetes control.

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