Today's NYT Strands is live for Saturday, July 18, 2026 (Puzzle #867). Stuck on today's Strands? We've got progressive hints, from gentle nudges to full solutions, so you can solve at your own pace.
How Strands Works (New Players Start Here)
Strands hides themed words inside a 6x8 letter grid. Your mission: find every word connected to the day's theme. Letters link in any direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and words can twist and turn. Every letter gets used exactly once.
The spangram is the key word or phrase that captures the theme and stretches across the entire board, touching opposite edges.
Need a boost? Find any 4+ letter word (even non-theme words) three times, and the game reveals a hint highlighting theme word letters.
Theme Decoder
Today's Theme Prompt: "A healthy breakfast"
What It Really Means
You are hunting descriptive words for the flavors, textures, and overall character of a nourishing morning meal.
Think About...
- Listen for texture and mouthfeel.
- Explore the flavor spectrum from dessert-like to savory.
- Consider the reassuring character associated with nourishing food.
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Left to right across the board
Letter Count: 13 letters
Starting Zone: Row 4, letter 1
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): Think of the complete serving that brings all these descriptions together.
Hint 2 (Warmer): Picture a single container filled with a toasted grain mixture commonly eaten in the morning.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is B, last letter is A
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BOWLOFGRANOLA
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: This texture makes each bite audibly crisp.
Closer: Think of toasted clusters that snap between your teeth.
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 7 letters total
Answer
CRUNCHY
Word 2
Vague: This flavor recalls rich edible kernels.
Closer: Think of the flavor contributed by almonds, pecans, or walnuts.
Letter Clue: Starts with N, 5 letters total
Answer
NUTTY
Word 3
Vague: This quality suggests a familiar cereal grain.
Closer: Think of the quality carried by rolled cereal flakes used in porridge.
Letter Clue: Starts with O, 4 letters total
Answer
OATY
Word 4
Vague: This taste sits firmly on the savory side.
Closer: Think of the taste added by a pinch from a table shaker.
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 5 letters total
Answer
SALTY
Word 5
Vague: This pleasant flavor is associated with sugar and ripe fruit.
Closer: Think of the flavor supplied by honey or maple syrup.
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 5 letters total
Answer
SWEET
Word 6
Vague: This describes food that feels nourishing and reassuringly good for you.
Closer: Think reassuringly nourishing, respectable, and good for body and spirit.
Letter Clue: Starts with W, 9 letters total
Answer
WHOLESOME
Full Answers
Spangram: BOWLOFGRANOLA
Theme Words:
- CRUNCHY
- NUTTY
- OATY
- SALTY
- SWEET
- WHOLESOME
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Medium, because the list mixes obvious taste and texture words with two broader descriptive adjectives.
Trickiest Word: OATY is the likeliest stalling point because it is a less common adjective than the other flavor and texture terms.
Our Take: BOWLOFGRANOLA neatly gathers CRUNCHY, NUTTY, OATY, SALTY, SWEET, and WHOLESOME into one recognizable serving. The mix works because some entries describe immediate sensory qualities while WHOLESOME supplies the broader healthy-breakfast character.
