Just How Healthy is Cereal For Breakfast?
July 23, 2005 | Nutrition and Fitness
Whether they’re on the go or reaching for a satisfying snack, American kids love cold cereal. And with and cartoon characters, children are enticed by the sweetest brands.
“I think the marketing people have done a great job. His favorite is Nemo and whenever he sees Nemo he’s drawn to it and the fact that he sees it on his level, that’s the first thing he wants to pull off the shelf,” said mom Meredith Galloway.
Studies show kids who eat breakfast do better in school. Cereal makers are taking that one step further claiming sweet cereals have health benefits and are not part of the obesity problem, but part of the solution.
It’s very difficult to try to counter some of the messages that are out there.
~ Dr. Ben Danielson
“It’s very difficult to try to counter some of the messages that are out there,” said Dr. Benjamin Danielson of Children’s Hospital. “I don’t think a parent would put a candy bar in a bowl with milk and feel good about that being a child’s breakfast choice.”
Sugar content varies greatly among cereals. Every four grams of sugar amounts to one teaspoon. The healthiest cereals have less than five grams of sugar, are made of whole grain and are fortified with vitamins.
If you occasionally pick a sweet one for a treat, limit portion size to one cup, rotate unsweetened cereal into your child’s diet too, and limit or avoid spooning on more sugar.
Above all, be skeptical of cereal-makers health claims until you read the nutrition label on the box. Make sure you choose the cereal, not your child.
“That company’s underlying goal is to sell as much of that particular product as they possibly can,” said Dr. Danielson.
Kids should drink three to four eight ounce glasses of milk a day. Even skim milk in excess can add unwanted calories and unwanted pounds to a child. Thirsty kids should be encouraged to reach for water.
Another healthy idea: Instead of reaching for that sugar bowl, try adding some fresh fruit to your child’s unsweetened cereal.