Recently, I've rediscovered a wonderful treat that is as tasty as it is healthy. It's crunchy, semi-sweet, and has a wonderful rich texture. The snack I am referring to is Bran Flakes Cereal. No, this isn't a gimmick. Nor is it a ploy to covertly advertise one brand over another. The truth is that Bran Flakes are just downright delicious.
As a breakfast meal, the cereal itself is extremely high in fiber. As a matter of fact, I've also discovered that less than one cup of the stuff represents one complete serving of bread. Considering that I tend to eat cups of the cereal at a time, suffice it to say that I'm getting all the bread servings I need. At any rate, there are other healthy benefits to eating bran flakes. Everyone knows that fiber is a huge help in digestion of food. But there are also other advantages to scarfing down this underrated snack.
FEEL FULLER- First of all, bran flakes are heavy enough to leave one feeling quite full after eating them. Fiber itself is nothing but carbohydrates which cannot be digested. Wheat bran in particular is considered an insoluble fiber which means that it absorbs water. This is why eating bran flakes helps to stave off hunger for longer periods of time. KEEP PLUMBING "CLEAR"- At the risk of mimicking dozens of commercials on the topic, it should be reiterated that people need fiber in order to aid the bowels in natural elimination. That is to say-if you want happy toilet experiences, consuming a fair share of high fiber bran is the way to go. Since fiber cannot be digested, it creates an excess of "material" which helps to push other foods out, relieving constipation. Further testament to this is the fact that the fiber found in bran has an increased "effect on the bowels" than the fiber found in most fruits.
Undeniably, bran flakes are pivotal in many different bodily functions, including heart health, and the reduction of cholesterol in the body. But in my rediscovery of this cereal, I have also found some really neat ways to eat it. These are not necessarily the healthiest means of consuming a food which has so many benefits of its own. But I guarantee that you'll find these Bran Flake snack ideas irresistible:
HOW ABOUT A "SUNDAE"?...
On occasion I will purchase a half-gallon of plain vanilla ice cream. As a stand alone dessert, it's classic (not the ENTIRE half-gallon, mind you). But combined in a bowl with a cup of bran flakes, and a drizzle of chocolate syrup, it is positively divine. To successfully achieve the desired effect, add a generous amount of the cereal and drizzle the chocolate very lightly. The result is a dessert which tastes very similar to the way a waffle cone tastes when you chop it up into your ice cream. Pure Heaven.
GARNISH ME, BABY...
If you really want to double your bran intake in the morning, try this bulky, yet satisfying treat: All-grain waffles topped with fruit and (low-fat) whipped cream, and then sprinkled with a generous handful of bran flake crumbs. It's sort of like having nuts on top of a sundae, only the sundae is really a breakfast item. Couple this treat with an icy cold glass of milk (provided you're not lactose intolerant) and you're all set.
COOKIES...COOKIES...COOKIES...
You can really kick things up a notch by basically creating an entire dessert out of the bran flakes themselves. Make cookies by mixing 2 cups of bran flakes with flour, eggs, vanilla, milk, and all the other ingredients you'd use to bake cookies from scratch (I'm not much of a baker.) The point here is to substitute most of the white flour with the bran. As a matter of fact, waffles (or any batter) can be made from scratch with bran flakes for a little extra punch.
It seems there are a million and one things to do with bran flakes once you get hooked on them. Roll seasoned chicken cutlets in a pan of bran, and you've got a great tasting coating. While their naturally "sweet" taste makes them a wonderful addition to most desserts, their palatable texture is terrific for casseroles and other dishes. Using them as a substitute for typical white-flour ingredients also can do wonders for taste. But their health benefits make some of these desserts and dishes seem a little less indulgent.
