Aggressively Marketed Cereals Are Most Harmful To Health
The most aggressively marketed breakfast cereals to children have the worst nutritional quality, according to a new analysis of 161 brands. Many were shown to have more sugar, sodium, carbohydrate and calories per gram than non-children’s cereals, and less protein and fiber. Sugar accounted for more than one-third of the weight of children’s cereals, on average, compared to less than one-quarter of the adult cereals.
According to this study, one serving of cereal equated to 11 percent of the daily limit of added sugar for active boys, aged 14 to 18 years old, and an astounding 92 percent of the daily sugar intake for sedentary girls aged 9 to 13.
Think about that point parents, the next time you pick up that cereal box when your child asks for it. You aught to know that sugar and processed carbohydrates do not benefit your child’s health. Obesity has become a major concern for North American children, with sugar and carbohydrates being two of the major culprits contributing to this growing problem.
In the last two decades, the prevalence of overweight adolescents has nearly tripled, and current statistics show 16 percent of children are overweight or obese. Sugars are major contributors to this problem. They contain little in terms of vitamins and minerals, and the calories they contain are not made up of important micronutrients needed for health and growth. Out of moderation, they are harmful to overall health and have been proven to increase insulin levels, which can lead to:
- High blood pressure and high cholesterol
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Weight gain
- Premature aging, and more
One 2005 study [Journal of Pediatrics January 2005;146(1):105-11] analyzed the daily sugar intake of 5,000 toddlers ranging in age from 2 to 5, and found that, on average, 2- to 3-year olds consumed around 14 teaspoons of added sugar a day. This number jumped to 17 teaspoons daily among 4- to 5-year olds. If you are into common sense, then you’ll know that’s way too much.
Feed your children a wholesome breakfast like whole oats, which can have beneficial effects on appetite, insulin resistance, and energy metabolism
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