They are colored, crunchy and full of junk.
A new study suggests that many children’s breakfast cereals are slipping in nutritional value, with more fat, sugar and sodium that are hit in all tablespoons.
Researchers say that change may be nourishing the U.S. obesity crisis, which now affects 1 in 5 children and adolescents across the country.
The post spoke with two nutrition experts in the New York area to select the healthiest cereal options and smartest breakfast swaps for the most important meal of the day.
Eats, America
The cereal continues to dominate at the breakfast table.
About three-quarters of the US households won a cereal box by 2023, according to Civicscience Polling. While only 12% ate it daily, 18% had three or four times a week and 23% got a bowl once or twice a week.
But habits change. The same survey found that almost one in three North -Americans are now looking for healthier cereal options, such as sugar and fiber high.
A bowl full of trouble
In the new study, researchers examined 1,200 new or renewed cereals, which affected the USERY BOODS in the United States between 2010 and 2023.
They focused on products that are marketed specifically for children from 5 to 12 years old, often with bright packaging, cartoon pets and tempting awards inside.
The results suggest that breakfast begins to look much more dessert.
During the age of 13, the average content content per serving grew by almost 34%, jumping from only 0.13 grams in 2010 to a huge 1.51 grams in 2023.
The sodium also increased, increasing 32% to more than 200 milligrams per serving on average.
While total carbohydrates remained mostly flat, the average sugar content increased by almost 11%. In many cases, only one bowl exceeds 45% of the daily recommended for the American Heart Association’s children.
“With cereals, this is that the day begins,” Dr. Josephine Connolly-Scheonen, executive director of the Nutrition Division of Stony Brook Medicine, told Post.
“You can see quite easily how they will overcome the recommendation of 25 grams or less sugar for children in a day,” he added.
Connolly-schoonen said that the study’s conclusions were not surprised.
“For many, many years, the food industry has been creating products that are made to look healthy for packaging and marketing, but in fact they are not because they add sugar and sodium to make them pleasant,” he said.
Stephanie Schiff, a dietitian nutritionist registered at Northwell Health Huntington Hospital, echoed this notice.
“Cereals can be full of sugar, which provide non -nutritional calories and can contribute to weight gain,” he said.
“Highly processed cereals with artificial colors can also contribute to the inflammation of the body, which, with other foods processed in the diet, can increase the risk of chronic diseases,” he added.
The warnings occur when the administration of President Trump has the purpose of ultra -processed food.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announced a plan last month to eliminate eight artificial colors from the north -American food supply, many of which are in popular cereals, citing concerns about their impact on children’s health.
If the increasing content of fat, sodium and sugar was not bad enough, the essential nutrients that children need for healthy development disappear from the cereal box.
The protein content declined significantly during the study period, while the dietary fiber fell almost one gram per serving between 2021 and 2023.
“Children cereals have barely fiber, which helps children feel -to keep their running track running,” said Schiff.
The result? It is blocked with mid -morning sugar and growls.
“These trends suggest a potential prioritization of the taste for nutritional quality in product development, contributing to childhood obesity and long -term cardiovascular health risks,” concluded the study authors this week at Jama Network Open.
Specific brands were not named in the research. He also looked at the newly released cereals, so that he does not paint any complete image of the entire cereal market.
And, although the findings refer, researchers did not measure how these changes affect the general nutrient’s nutrient intake.
Simple exchanges for a higher start
Good news: You don’t have to certainly completely, but it may be time to rethink your options.
“When it comes to children or adults, I like cereals containing whole grains, a minimum of added sugar and have at least a few grams of fiber per serving,” Schiff said.
Your options? Classic clicmeters, Wheaties, Kashi Honey Top Cereal oats, a whole wheat path of nature and heritage flakes.
“If your children are used to having a high sugar cereal for breakfast, try mixing it with low sugar, high fiber cereals,” Schiff suggested. “There is a good chance they still like it.”
He also recommended that your children get involved by leaving them to choose healthy accessories such as fruits, nuts or crushed coconut to increase nutrition.
While cereal may be a quick solution to hectic mornings, Connolly-Scheonen said there are better ways to start the day.
Your advice? Keep it simple and prepare it in advance, such as beat the oats at night or a fritta full of vegetables earlier this week.
When on Thursday or Friday they roll and the fridge looks naked, he recommends toast of whole wheat with butter of natural nuts and a little fruit, such as sliced apples or raisins, for a balanced and blunt breakfast.
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