We all know how important breakfast is, it helps us focus, it helps us stay alert, it helps us perform better throughout the day and it also helps us control our weight. It's been proven that those who skip breakfast are more likely to over consume throughout the day due to unnecessary snacking.
Now cereal absolutely dominates breakfast and it's not uncommon that people eat it in the evening as a "snack". In every household there will be some form of cereal box. It is quick, it is easy and it takes very little effort to make. This is fact. But do you know what else is fact? Most cereals are LOADED with added sugars.
The NHS says that anything over 22.5g sugar per 100g is deemed to be HIGH in sugar, and anything under 5g per 100g is deemed to be LOW in sugar. So today I have looked at the most popular cereals in the country and picked out the top 10 that contained the most sugar.
But just before we start, let me point out those who very narrowly missed out on a top 10 spot. Remember these are still cereals that the NHS say are HIGH in sugar!
Crunchy nut granola had 27g sugar per 100g, where Fruit loops, Golden Nuggets, Curiously Cinnamon and Golden Grahams all come in at around 25g sugar per 100g. We then had Fruit and Fibre, Special K clusters, Wheetos and Alpen Museli that contained 23-24g per 100g. Not to forget Cheerios and All-Bran coming in at 21.5g-22g per 100g.
So let the countdown begin...
10th place = Almond oats and more = 27.4g sugar per 100g
9th place = Krave milk chocolate = 30g sugar per 100g
8th place = Jordans country crisp raisin = 32g sugar per 100g
7th place = Sugar puffs = 35g sugar per 100g
6th place = Crunchy nut = 35g sugar per 100g
5th place = Coco pops = 35g sugar per 100g
4th place = Frosties = 37g sugar per 100g
3rd place = Reese's puffs = 37.9g sugar per 100g
2nd place = Ricicles = 40g sugar per 100g
... and the winner goes to...
1st place = Lucky charms = 44.4g sugar per 100g
After showing you that these cereals are made up of more than a third of sugar, I ask you, who are these cereals aimed at? Think about the branding, think about the friendly lion, think of the little cute monkey, or the nice honey monster. Yep, these are aimed at children. I find it appalling that companies like this can knowingly target young children with their products stuffed with added sugars. Yet we still wonder why obesity is on the rise!
We teach children to eat breakfast because it will help them concentrate at school. But, giving them cereals loaded with sugar will only give them a sugar crash before their first lesson! This, as we know will prevent them concentrating, will make them lethargic and certainly make them tired. Not to forget the effects it has on their waistlines and health!
*Mini rant over*
What other options do we have? Well below are 5 quick, easy and healthy ideas that you can make Mon-Fri;
Mon: Overnight oats**
Tues: Scrambled eggs w/ spinach
Wed: Greek yogurt w/ berries & crushed nuts
Thu: Ham & cheese omelette
Fri: Smoked salmon layered over mashed avocado on wholegrain toast
All are high in protein, which will help build/retain muscle and keep you feeling fuller for longer.
To finish I want people to understand I'm not here to be negative about everything and anything. This is not my aim. I aim to educate and teach people so that they can make healthier decisions without thinking it's costly, time consuming and boring. Also to raise awareness about these particular issues. Because that's exactly what they are, issues. Big ones that are effecting not only your health, but your children's health!
You and your family's health is important. It should be something you cherish, something that is made a priority and definitely something you want to look after!
Thanks for reading!
Hadee.
**A great recipe from Nic @ NicsNutrition http://nicsnutrition.com/recipe/overnight-oats/
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