Eat Breakfast for Better Health

Skipping breakfast?  Not a good idea for your health.  Your body has “fasted” all night and is ready to refuel every morning.  People who skip breakfast, really don’t.  They may not eat anything before they leave for work each day, but then hit the snack machines at 9 or so for a “not-so-healthy- breakfast”.  Breakfast really means, Break the Fast.   Our breakfast habits are changing given time constraints and other food options. 

So what are people eating for breakfast?  A recent article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Cereal-Makers try to get millennials back, highlighted how cereal consumption is down and especially the millennials are opting for other choices such as a granola bar.  Simple, easy to carry and fast to eat. 

Cereal – many people still enjoy cereal for breakfast but it is dropping from 31% of us in 2009 to 26.8% in 2015. 

What are the top 5 breakfast cereals?
Cereal
Market Share
Maker
Honey Nut Cheerios
5.7%
General Mills
Frosted Flakes
4.8%
Kellogg
Honey Bunches of Oats
4.7%
Post
Cinnamon Toast Crunch
4.1%
General Mills
Cheerios
3.6%
General Mills
Source:  IRI, NPD Group Inc.   Sales as of March 20, 2016

Choosing a whole grain cereal for breakfast can really add to your health.  Many people aren’t eating any whole grains or drinking enough milk.  Adding a whole grain cereal with some milk every day or many days a week can be a very healthy choice.   Cheerios are a great cereal choice as they are whole grain.  Honey Nut Cheerios are a favorite with kids.  Yes, has some added sugar but a good way to get whole grains into a child.  Skip the Frosted Flakes and the Honey Bunches of Oats. Honey Bunches of Oats have only some whole grain.  Frosted Flakes have no whole grain.     

How to Choose a Whole Grain Cereal?   Choose a General Mills cereal as all General Mills cereal are whole grain. Choose oatmeal, a very healthy choice.  Both Cheerios and oatmeal are great for heart health.  If you don’t have time to eat a bowl of cereal for breakfast, have it as a snack.  Cereal can be a great afternoon snack for kids and a great way to get some whole grains into their day.    To read about other whole grain cereals, go to:  Six Cereals Made with Whole Grains.
So enjoy some cereal this week, choose whole grain cereals for a healthier you. 

Sources:   Cereal-Makers try to get millennials back, Kellogg's, Post, Six Cereals Made with Whole Grains.  Image Source:   Cheerios

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