Most Americans grow up thinking that cereal comes from a box, but that’s not what “cereal” meant in our household when my sister and I were growing up. Whenever my dad offered to make us “cereal,” we got excited, whether it was for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
My dad worked from home, while my mom worked at a traditional job. That meant my dad was the primary caregiver and responsible for feeding the two of us. He didn’t cook anything fancy – dinner was usually bread, chicken or fish from the toaster oven, and canned peas or corn – but he did develop a few signature recipes.
One of them was “cereal,” and it’s perfect in nearly every way. It takes only minutes to prepare. It doesn’t require cooking or much clean-up. It’s inexpensive. It’s sure to please kids. It’s also a great way to get kids involved in the kitchen – they can get excited about handing you the ingredients and putting them away when you’re done with them.
Dad’s cereal is versatile. You can vary it according to what you have on hand, and you can alter it to fit into any nutritional goals or dietary requirements that you may have. Since you assemble each person’s bowl separately, you can make it according to each person’s preferences to please each child and adult at home.
Here are some tried-and-true variations.
- Any fresh or frozen fruit works instead of the banana, or in addition to it. Mango chunks, strawberry slices, blueberries, and pineapple chunks are all great. If you’re using frozen fruit, check for unsweetened versions to avoid added sugars.
- Any type of nuts works well. You can also use chopped peanuts. If you have nothing on hand but peanut butter, add in a tablespoon or so.
- For kids especially, add a treat or two, like a drizzle of honey. A little bit goes a long way. A few mini chocolate chips, a maraschino cherry, or 1-2 teaspoons of rainbow sprinkles can make the cereal seem extra special, too.
- Swap any dried fruit for raisins. Sliced dates are an especially sweet addition – just 1-2 dates can add a lot of sweetness.
- If you’re trying to reduce carbs, try having just ½ a banana and a smaller portion of oats. Your bowl will still be satisfying!
And finally – no milk on hand? No problem! Once or twice, when we’d made the cereal and were ready to pour in the milk, we realized we were out of milk at home. The solution was juice. Really – it worked fine!
A Healthy, Balanced Breakfast (Or Late-Night Snack!)
Finally, it’s healthy. The original recipe has 0 grams of added sugars. It’s high in fiber and protein, and low in saturated fat. It has whole grains, fruit, reduced-fat dairy, and nuts. It’s a balanced meal in a bowl that everyone can love.
Here are the calories and nutrient highlights.
- 460 calories
- 10 grams of fat
- 16 grams of protein
- 82 grams of carbohydrates
- 2 grams of saturated fat
- 13 grams of fiber
But I wasn’t thinking about healthy fats, protein, fiber, and calcium at that time. I was thinking about how good the cereal was – and how much it was tied to my dad. Like any normal kid, I sometimes wandered out of my room after bedtime to tell my dad that I couldn’t sleep. Sometimes, he’d be at the dining room table, talking with my mom after her work day, and eating a bowl of his cereal.
From “Dad’s” Cereal to “Grandpa’s” Cereal
I grew up (in age, if not in maturity) and moved out, and haven’t had Dad’s cereal in decades. But as “Dad” became “Grandpa,” and my son is now old enough to enjoy it, my dad has started making it again – for my son. The basic recipe is the same, and my son now understands what his mother means when she says, “Grandpa’s cereal.” He loves it, too.
How to Make My Dad’s Cereal
Get ready to be underwhelmed: making cereal couldn’t be much easier. Here are the ingredients in the basic recipe. He never measured them, but I will give you approximate quantities. If you use these ingredients in these amounts, your bowl of cereal will have the calories and nutrients listed above.
½ cup of rolled oats: Oats are a whole grain, and they’re delicious plain or with other foods. If you love oats but don’t like cleaning the pot after making oatmeal, this may be your new go-to.
2 tablespoons of wheat bran: Wheat bran is very high in fiber. Make sure you soak it in milk (or juice) before serving it so nobody risks choking on it, since it can be dry.
2 tablespoons of raisins: They add sweetness and chewiness, as well as fiber, iron, and potassium. If you don’t have raisins, use another type of dried fruit or some extra fresh fruit.
2 tablespoons of sliced almonds: A source of heart-healthy fats, plant-based protein, and fiber, almonds add crunch and a light earthiness. Any kind of nuts is fine.
1 small sliced banana: Bananas just go well in cereal! Riper bananas are sweeter, while less-ripe bananas are higher in resistant starch, which acts like fiber.
¾ cup of skim milk: Just pour it over the top to soak the ingredients. For fewer calories (but less protein), almond milk is a good substitute.
To make your cereal, just add the oats to the bowl, followed by the bran and other ingredients. Pour the milk over it, and serve!
Dad’s Cereal Is a Real-World Nutritional Strategy!
Real life means keeping things simple and going with the flow. That’s just what you can do with Dad’s cereal. Use inexpensive ingredients that you already have on hand, and vary them as needed to suit every taste and meet every need in your household.
There’s nothing wrong with boxed cereals if you choose wisely, but this can be another option that helps prevent boredom and feels like a treat even though it’s nutritious.
For more tips and to chat about how you might add real-life, nutritious meals to your busy and hectic life, let’s talk!
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