WASHINGTON — Your bowl of breakfast cereal is getting more expensive, but there are ways to fight back against the rising cost of flakes.

Cold cereal sales are down, and NBC News reports prices are up as cereal makers try to make up for a drop in demand.

Market researcher Packaged Facts says the average price is up from $2.89 a pound five years ago to $3.09 a pound this year.

Some top-of-the-line brands are selling for up to $8 a pound.

If you’re trying to save money on your favorite cereal, don’t assume that buying a really big box is a better deal.

Teri Gault, with TheGroceryGame.com, says medium-size boxes usually offer the cheapest price per ounce.

She says fewer cereal coupons are being offered these days, and if you do find them, use them fast. They tend to expire more quickly than they used to.