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Written by Dr. Hillary
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Have you looked recently at the nutritional information on your cereal box? If not, it's time you did. According to Consumer Reports, some cereals are more than 50% sugar!
Last year, while doing research for my article, “The Power of Healthy Snacks," I visited a local supermarket in search of healthy cereals. I was surprised to find only a handful of low sugar cereals among almost 50 different varieties.
Did you know that a teaspoon of sugar equals 4 grams? Excessive sugar consumption leads to cavities and empty calories that result in unwanted weight, so beware! When selecting cereals, be an educated consumer and read the labels! And remember that the healthiest cereals contain 3 or less grams of sugar per serving and at least 3 grams of fiber.
This year, Consumer Reports rated four cereals as very good: General Mills Cheerios, Kix, Honey Nut Cheerios, and Quaker Oats Life. So my research last year was confirmed. But you don't have to rely on name brands; some generic cereals may be just as healthy. Reading labels will help you make educated and frugal choices. A good rule of thumb is to go for as little sugar per serving as possible (without compromising the taste) and select cereals made with whole grains. Research shows that eating whole grains on a daily basis has positive health impacts. You can decrease your risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and lower your cholesterol. You will also have a better luck with weight control.
To read about health benefits of whole grains, go to :
Whole Grain Fact Sheet
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Dr. Hillary |
| About the author: |
| Dr. Hillary is a pediatric nurse practitioner with a doctoral degree in health promotion and risk reduction. She has worked with children for well over a decade. To send her an email, click
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