Review of 'Nature's Path' Optimum Power Blueberry Cinnamon Flax

Nature's Path -- Optimum Power Blueberry Cinnamon Flax (vegan)
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Summary: This cereal has great texture, but it was a big miss on flavour. It was crunchy and I liked the variety of textures, but I did not get the 'blueberry cinnamon' taste at all. There weren't many dried blueberries and the cereal could have been just called 'Flax'. It has a very subtle hint of sweetness, which was nice, but it just didn't meet my expectations in terms of taste. It gets a 3.5 because of its wholesome ingredients and nutritional profile. Otherwise, I probably would have given it a 2.5 or 3 out of 5.

Where to buy: Bulk Barn, Fortinos, Longos



Ingredients: Whole wheat meal*, wheat bran*, evaporated cane juice*, soy flour*, flax*, puffed KAMUT® khorasan wheat*, barley malt extract*, soy fiber*, oat bran*, freeze-dried blueberries*, sea salt, cinnamon*, tocopherols (natural vitamin E).

*Organic. Contains wheat and soy. Produced in a facility that uses peanuts and tree nuts.

Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 3/4 cup
Calories: 200
Fat: 3g
     Saturated: .4g
     Trans: 0g
     Polyunsaturated: 1.5g    
          Omega-6: .4g
          Omage-3: .5g
     Monounsaturated: .4g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 230mg
Potassium: 160mg
Carb: 38g
     Fiber: 9g
     Sugars: 9g
Protein: 9g
Vitamin C: 2%
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 20%

Okay, so it doesn't get much better than this cereal in terms of nutrition. It's got all your healthy fats (poly and mono), it's low in sodium, and high in protein, fiber, and iron. It's a great way to start the morning. Add to that 1/2 cup of any variety of milk (e.g. dairy, soy, almond, rice), and you're adding to that already impressive nutritional profile. It is a little high in calories if you're used to a full cup of cereal per serving (as I am). If it were a delicious cereal, I wouldn't mind....but it's not (this is difficult for me to say as a huge Nature's Path fan!!). I'd call this a good 'neutral cereal'--you could add some honey or raisins to enhance it and it would be worth it simply by virtue of the nutrition the cereal offers.

Alas, its strides in nutrition is undercut by the disappointing flavour. By the 'Blueberry Cinnamon Flax' label and by the smell, I had high expectations. As a blueberry fan, I was pumped to try this! I was thinking I may have found a cereal that's super high protein and fiber AND amazing tasting. Nope. There was no discernible blueberry OR cinnamon taste at all. They really should label this 'Flax', plain and simple. At least that way, I would have had more accurate expectations.

The texture did somewhat make up for the flavour--it was super fresh and crunchy and I really liked the mix of shapes and grains. If not for the texture and strong nutritional profile, I likely would have rated this a 2.5 or 3 out of 5.

I wouldn't buy this cereal again but I'd still eat it if someone else stocked up on it. This is because of the nutritional content and the fact that it's neutral enough to enhance (e.g. honey, nuts, dried fruit, etc).

Other flavours (all vegan):

• Optimum® Banana Almond Cereal
• Optimum Slim® Low Fat Vanilla Cereal
• Optimum® Cranberry Ginger Cereal

Brand (quoted from the Nature's Path website):

• Family-owned and operated
•  Certified non-GMO and organic; non-GMO Project verified
• Fairtrade certified
• "We source all our ingredients as locally as possible to our production plants."
• "...over 78% of the weight of ingredients we purchase comes from organic farmers in North America."
• "Some of the ingredients we have committed to purchasing are Fairtrade Certified cocoa, sugar cane, molasses, and spices." 
• Gardens for Good Project