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Which bran has the brawn?

Bran flakes get a bad rap. Even as our panelists were complaining about bran, I was munching on plain flakes of it right from a cereal box. Before I knew it, a third of the cereal was gone.

By KATHY SAUNDERS
Published March 15, 2006

Bran flakes get a bad rap. Even as our panelists were complaining about bran, I was munching on plain flakes of it right from a cereal box. Before I knew it, a third of the cereal was gone.

Taster's Choice sampled seven brands of cereal, all of which began with the ingredients "whole grain wheat" or "whole wheat." Turns out, at least three of the judges would buy each of the choices in our winners' circle.

It's no wonder bran flakes contribute to a healthy digestive system. All the cereals we tried had from 3 to 5 grams of fiber in a serving. A ³/₄-cup serving contained between 130 and 150 calories. Panelists gave Kellogg's Complete Wheat Bran cereal $2.99 71 out of 100 points. The Kellogg's cereal had a slightly sweet taste, a warm brown color and a nice texture. Some of the cereals were limp, and others seemed stale. The top pick also had wheatlike flecks in each flake. These taste like an autumn morning full of promise and a brisk walk, said one panelist. He also liked the strong, silent, good chew. And he gave it extra points for its big, rough flakes.

The second choice for our judges was the cereal by Health Valley ($4.79). It received 67 points and was a bit sweeter than some of the competition. These flakes are somewhere over the rainbow, said one panelist. They would hold up well in a bath of milk, and they would be good for scooping yogurt.

The third pick was Total ($3.71). This General Mills cereal got 66 points. This is my bran flake of choice. Total was sweet enough for our panelists, and the flakes were large. One judge said he detected a fruity flavor. Another judge said she would buy Total when she starts her next diet.

Also sampled were bran cereals from: Publix ($2.19); Post Bran Flakes ($3.49); Albertsons ($2.50); and Great Value from Sam's ($1.57).

Panelists were: Nan Jensen, registered dietitian with Pinellas County Cooperative Extension; Jim Yockey, aesthetician with Indulgence Medical Day Spa in St. Petersburg; Gary Kawalec, chef-owner of Tampa Bay Supper Club in Safety Harbor; Bob Devin Jones, artistic director of Studio@620 in St. Petersburg; and personal chef Julie Overton. All foods were tasted blind.

Send suggestions for product testing to Taste section, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731 or e-mail them to krieta@sptimes.com Please put TEST SUGGESTION in the subject line. To read past Taster's Choice columns, go to www.sptimes.com/food.

[Last modified March 14, 2006, 12:37:31]