Many breakfast cereals made for kids are high in sugar and have little nutritional value. But according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics, kids enjoy low-sugar cereal such as Cheerios or Corn Flakes as well as less healthy ones like Fruit Loops and Count Chocula that are loaded with refined sugar.
Low-Sugar Cereal as a Kids Breakfast Food is Put to the Test
Researchers assigned kids to two groups. One group ate a low-sugar cereal, while the other ate one of the many high-sugar cereals designed for kids. The children were also given free access to milk, chopped fruit and orange juice, At the completion of the meal, the kids were questioned about how much they enjoyed their breakfast.
The results? The kids who ate the low-sugar cereal were more likely to add fresh fruit to their meal, and they were just as likely to say they "liked" or "loved" their breakfast as kids who ate the less healthy, sugar-laden cereal. Only 8% of kids who ate the sugary cereal ate fruit compared to 54% of kids eating the low-sugar version. The kids in low-sugar group also ate less overall than those who ate the super sweet cereals.
A Healthy Breakfast for Kids: Low-Sugar Cereal is a Winner
Kids enjoy cereal, and its fast and easy to prepare. When you give kids a low-sugar cereal, they get less refined sugar but still get a source of vitamins and fiber as well as calcium from the milk. Add some fruit, and it gives kids extra antioxidant power to start the day. Its a good way to get kids to eat more fruit too.
A Healthier Breakfast for Children: The Bottom Line?
Choose breakfast cereal wisely, serve it with fruit, and you can feel good about sending your kids off to school with enough energy - and less refined sugar - to start their busy day.
References:
Medical News Today. "When Given Low-Sugar Cereals, Children Will Eat More Fresh Fruit".
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