Cereal is, to many, the ultimate comfort food. It is quick, easy, and addictive. You might pour a single bowl and find yourself devouring another one until you realized you’d demolished an entire box. You might also notice a slight stomachache or an interruption in your digestive cycle; even “healthy” cereals are usually filled with sugar, additives, and preservatives.

Healthy Alternatives to Cereal

Fortunately, if you love cereal, there are some healthy, safe alternatives. Although they might not replicate the flavor of cereal exactly, these meals are similarly easy to make and will keep you full for far longer.

#1. Granola and Yogurt

Granola is essentially cereal, right? Granola and yogurt is a wonderful alternative to cereal because granola is typically made in smaller batches, which means it does not require as many preservatives, and it usually does not contain the high amounts of sugar, fat, and even coloring that most cereal does.

Not all granola is created equal, of course—some granola is as bad as or worse than cereal. When searching for a good granola, opt for granola that is organic, uses a variety of grains, and does not list sugar until near the end of the ingredient list.

#2. Oatmeal with Fruit and Nuts

Oatmeal is a great alternative to cereal. To dress it up a bit and get it closer to the taste of your favorite cereal, add some fruit and nuts. You can also add some honey or maple syrup, but use both of them sparingly as they contain quite a lot of sugar.

If you aren’t partial to hot cereal, you can try overnight oats. Overnight oats soak overnight and are served cold. These types of oats are particularly versatile and can include a wide options of fruits, nuts, and seeds.

#3. Quinoa, Milk, and Fruit

Quinoa and fruit placed in a small bowl of milk makes a fitting cereal substitute and is filling. Quinoa pairs particularly well with fruits such as apples and raisins, and you can use whatever your preferred type of milk is. To make the process even easier, prepare the quinoa the night before. When you wake up in the morning, you can pull it out of the fridge, add your toppings, and splash some milk in for a simple, easy breakfast.

#4. Oat Bran Muffins

Although a bran muffin will not give you the crunch of cereal, when it is paired with a cold glass of milk, you won’t miss the sugary crunch of cold cereal. Oat bran is a wonderful complex carbohydrate that will keep your bowels regular and your blood sugar stable. Paired with a dollop of nut butter, a bran muffin will hold you over well until lunch—or at least until your mid-morning snack.

Giving up cereal doesn’t have to be a difficult task. With a little bit of creativity and a willingness to change your routine, you will be eating healthy, filling breakfasts in no time.