Popular "Healthy" Cereals May Not Be So Healthy

9726172000

When you pour a bowl of cereal, you could be piling on the sugar and weight and not even know it. Cereal can offer a healthy start to your day, but some of the so-called nutritious cereals may not be very healthy at all.

While there are dozens of choices for your morning meal, nutritionist and author Laura Lewis says you shouldn't believe all the "heart-healthy" hype. Lewis says you have to look deeper by actually turning the box over and looking at the label. While a box of Quaker Natural Granola looks healthy, its label shows otherwise. A single serving contains 18 grams of sugar...five times more sugar than fiber.

Many shoppers who swear by Kellog's Raisin Bran cereal were shocked to hear it has 19 grams of sugar per serving.

"You don't really taste that much sugar in Raisin Bran," said shopper Deneice Cobb.

Another healthy-sounding cereal is Honey Nut Cheerios. Lewis looked at the nutritional facts and found it has 9 grams of sugar versus just 1 gram in regular Cheerios. Side-by-side, there's no comparison, but Lewis says there is a healthier solution.

"Put half of [Honey Nut Cheerios] in a bowl, and half of [Cheerios] in a bowl," she said.

Lewis says a major mistake parents make when buying cereal for their kids is not looking at the labels to make sure their kids are getting the ingredients they need for a balanced meal. She says parents often let their kids decide what they want to eat, rather than picking a healthier option for them. Lewis says parents need to take control.

Another mistake some shoppers make, according to Lewis, is not knowing what to look for on the nutritional labels. She says while some do look at the labels, they're reading the wrong things.

"[Look for] the amount of sugar grams, versus the amount of fiber grams," Lewis said.

For every gram of sugar, there should be one equal part of fiber. Fiber One, Quaker Oats, Kashi Cinnamon Harvest, and Cheerios all come close to meeting that criteria. The same theory applies to oatmeal. Regular instant oatmeal has zero grams of sugar, but the apples and cinnamon version is packed with 13 grams. Nutritionists suggest getting the regular oatmeal and mix in fresh fruit for a healthier option with more flavor.

The average American eats 160 bowls of cereal a year. While we could steer wrong with it comes to which ones we eat, we could also drive up our fiber intake. More fiber means you'll fill up faster, and stay full longer.

9726172000

When you pour a bowl of cereal, you could be piling on the sugar and weight and not even know it. Cereal can offer a healthy start to your day, but some of the so-called nutritious cereals may not be very healthy at all.

While there are dozens of choices for your morning meal, nutritionist and author Laura Lewis says you shouldn't believe all the "heart-healthy" hype. Lewis says you have to look deeper by actually turning the box over and looking at the label. While a box of Quaker Natural Granola looks healthy, its label shows otherwise. A single serving contains 18 grams of sugar...five times more sugar than fiber.

Many shoppers who swear by Kellog's Raisin Bran cereal were shocked to hear it has 19 grams of sugar per serving.

"You don't really taste that much sugar in Raisin Bran," said shopper Deneice Cobb.

Another healthy-sounding cereal is Honey Nut Cheerios. Lewis looked at the nutritional facts and found it has 9 grams of sugar versus just 1 gram in regular Cheerios. Side-by-side, there's no comparison, but Lewis says there is a healthier solution.

"Put half of [Honey Nut Cheerios] in a bowl, and half of [Cheerios] in a bowl," she said.

Lewis says a major mistake parents make when buying cereal for their kids is not looking at the labels to make sure their kids are getting the ingredients they need for a balanced meal. She says parents often let their kids decide what they want to eat, rather than picking a healthier option for them. Lewis says parents need to take control.

Another mistake some shoppers make, according to Lewis, is not knowing what to look for on the nutritional labels. She says while some do look at the labels, they're reading the wrong things.

"[Look for] the amount of sugar grams, versus the amount of fiber grams," Lewis said.

For every gram of sugar, there should be one equal part of fiber. Fiber One, Quaker Oats, Kashi Cinnamon Harvest, and Cheerios all come close to meeting that criteria. The same theory applies to oatmeal. Regular instant oatmeal has zero grams of sugar, but the apples and cinnamon version is packed with 13 grams. Nutritionists suggest getting the regular oatmeal and mix in fresh fruit for a healthier option with more flavor.

The average American eats 160 bowls of cereal a year. While we could steer wrong with it comes to which ones we eat, we could also drive up our fiber intake. More fiber means you'll fill up faster, and stay full longer.

helenwood101

Interesting, thanks

kerrilucko

just a tip, most of the sugar in raisin bran comes from the raisins, that's why the cereal itself doesn't taste very sweet. Raisins are simply dried fruit, and we all know that fruit contains sugar. I don't think raisin bran is a bad choice at all, even with the high sugar. If it upsets you, let your kids pick out the raisins (lol I so used to do that when I was a kid), or most of them (with clean hands of course). I could think of a million cereals that should have made that list BEFORE raisin bran.

LAZYMARK

i swear by a bowl of special k in the morning. keeps you satisfied until lunch and it really is lowfat, low sugar.

FluffnStuff

just a tip, most of the sugar in raisin bran comes from the raisins, that's why the cereal itself doesn't taste very sweet. Raisins are simply dried fruit, and we all know that fruit contains sugar. I don't think raisin bran is a bad choice at all, even with the high sugar. If it upsets you, let your kids pick out the raisins (lol I so used to do that when I was a kid), or most of them (with clean hands of course). I could think of a million cereals that should have made that list BEFORE raisin bran.

I agree, a lot of "high sugar" cereals with dried fruit are getting those numbers from the fruit themselves. If anyone eats lots of dried fruit they understand that it's more dense and concentrated then regular fresh fruit.

I LOVE Quaker Natural Granola, it also has raisins AND almonds, same thing applies. Granted, there is a sweetner involved because it's granola and they use it to "glue" it together. However, if you look at the ingredients list.... I'd take eating it over Froot Loops any day.

arewethereyet

yea, I just realized this. I have 4 boxes of cereal I THOUGHT was good for me, and they are all loaded with sugar and sodium.

:ohwell:

msarro

Yay, I'm not the average American. I haven't had cereal in over a year :laugh:

lizbeth787

mmm i love me a big bowl of cereal - preferably for dinner when i'm lazy after a long day of teaching!!

I swear by the Kashi & Puffins cereals! Shredded wheat is also super healthy for you (without the frosting of course - add some of your own flavorings: cinnamon, raisins, blueberries, strawberries... the possibilities are endless!!!)

if cereal was to suddenly disappear from the earth, i would fall into a deep, dark depression. no joke. :noway:

Sapporo

I've found Presidents Choice raisin bran with less sugar than the Kelloggs one. Raisin Bran is still healthy, even with the sugar!

Skinnytime

My parents would only buy Total when I was a kid, except on rare occasions. For the longest time I resisted buying it, but gave in because of the vitamins. I have found that I really like it ...

muimuimui

kashi and special k, kashi and special k
It's the driving force that actually gets me to wake up in the morning.