The moment you switch on the television, it’s evident you’ll come across at least one advertisement glorifying breakfast cereals. In fact, our kids are so addicted to the flavors they advertise, that they sometimes even tend to skip the meal when their favorite flavor isn’t served. So, what are these cereals actually made of? Do they really help in improving the overall health of our children by supplying enough nutrients? Let’s take a look at how these cereals are prepared and if they actually provide the goodness they promise.

Must-know pointers

  1. Grains are usually powdered into flour and processed to make cereals. Carb wise, it is a good alternative to white bread sandwiches. But, on the other hand, a box of flavored cereal contains high quantities of sugar which is not really good for health. This makes the blood sugar levels unusually high and becomes a reason for obesity itself. So, the best thing to do is to opt cereals that are plain and unflavored rather than the seasoned ones.
  2. Though low in calories, it is essential to keep an eye on how much cereal your kid is consuming on a daily basis. Cereals that have high-fiber content are good for health but this kind of diet, when consumed in excess, can lead to kidney diseases. So, it is advisable to restrict cereals to one serving only.
  3. Reading the label of anything that you give to your kid becomes greatly necessary. There are several brands that come to the market, and it is the duty of a parent to choose the right cereal. Don’t buy something simply because it comes in attractive packing, take a look at the ingredients, and analyze what each constituent is responsible for before making a purchase.

Additional Nutrition

Adding a small handful of nuts to a bowl of cereals is one of the best things you’ll be doing as a parent. This does real good because along with providing nutrients, they also cut down the quantity of cereal intake making your kid feel full. Similarly, in unflavored cereals, it is great to add quite a few raisins. This not only adds a natural flavor but also helps curb the addition of sugar.

We’ve been eating cereals for ages and no, they aren’t of any harm when consumed in proper proportions. Make sure you swap your cereal bowl with eggs, milk, wheat bread or some other food rich in protein and low in carbs quite often. This will ensure your kid is safe from concerns linking early diabetes and obesity.