What's in your breakfast bowl? Learn what to look for when shopping for cereals

If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, it's best to know what to reach for before sitting down with that bowl of cereal.

Registered dietitian Jackie London helped TODAY cut through the hype found on so many cereal boxes. London, the Good Housekeeping nutrition director, deciphered many of the packaging claims and provided guidance on what to look for on labels so that consumers can make healthier choices when shopping for breakfast items.

1. Keep an eye on portion control.

There is no standard serving size for cereal, London said. Instead, look for cereals that list between a half- to a full-cup of cereal per serving. If the cereal has a higher density, such as granola-based or high-fiber varieties, lean toward the smaller serving size.

The goal is to consume between 350-400 calories, which should be enough energy to stave off hunger cravings for the rest of the morning.

2. Ignore “no artificial” ingredients claims.

“This is a bit of a misnomer,” London said. Those claims must meet specific definitions set by the federal Food and Drug Administration, so they’re not wrong — technically.

“If you’re looking to get some extra wholesome, nutritious food into your diet and you’re looking to eat more real food, you’re not going to get that from a processed cereal,” she said.

Instead, look for cereals that list whole grains such as wheat or oats as your first item. Also look for shorter ingredient lists.