Nature optimizedBack to School But Hopefully Not on Cold Cereal

Brain Food Supplements

Nature optimizedBack to School But Hopefully Not on Cold Cereal

Cereals that contain as much sugar as junk food should not be considered part of a healthy breakfast. Every grocery store has a full aisle’s worth of kids’ cereal. Cartoon characters and vibrant color schemes market loudly to children and misleading nutritional claims convince parents to purchase these products and bring them home. But how healthy are these foods, especially when you’re eating them to start your day?

The Environmental Working Group analyzed 1,500 cereals, including 181 marketed for children. Results of their analysis showed a bowl of kids’ cereal every day adds up to eating 10 pounds of sugar a year. Almost all cold cereals contain added sugar, but kids’ cereals were especially susceptible to extreme amounts of sugar and other artificial sweeteners.

Cartoon characters and Vibrant

Brain Food Supplements

Nature optimizedBack to School But Hopefully Not on Cold Cereal

The problem with eating foods high in sugar is that they cause the glucose (sugar) level in one’s blood to rise high temporarily. This condition is known as hyperglycemia. Within a short hour or two, this blood sugar high results in a blood sugar crash (hypoglycemia) because sugary foods are not a sustainable source of energy. Cognitive function is disrupted by both hyper- and hypoglycemia. Symptoms of high and low blood sugar include: decreased learning and memory, distractibility, lack of focus, and irritability; to name a few. These strangely sound like some of the more common ADHD symptoms, don't they?

Blood to Rise High Temporarily

Brain Food Supplements

Nature optimizedBack to School But Hopefully Not on Cold Cereal

Unfortunately for parents, the EWG goes on to report that most of the sugary children’s cereals make nutritional claims or tout their whole-grain, fiber, vitamin or mineral content, evidently aiming to persuade families that these products are worth buying. Of 181 children’s cereals, only 10 met EWG’s criteria for low sugar. If you can’t avoid the convenience of feeding your kids a bowl of cereal and milk in the morning, then at least aim for the following low-sugar national brands: Kellogg’s Rice Krispies, General Mills Cheerios, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, Kellogg’s Rice Krispies, and Kellogg’s Crispix Cereal.

Vitamin or Mineral Content

Brain Food Supplements

Nature optimizedBack to School But Hopefully Not on Cold Cereal

Healthier options for breakfast include foods high in protein and healthy fats. Eggs, avocados, whole grain toast, omelets with vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, etc), and granola with low-sugar yogurt are much better options for morning meals.

Ready to start shopping and eating healthier? Check out Nature Optimized other blogs on:

Nutrients to Eat Daily if you Have ADHD

Foods to Avoid if you Have ADHD

Written by Melissa Warner

Healthier options

Brain Food Supplements