Cereal: It’s GRRREAT!
I eat a bowl of
Reese’s Puffs for breakfast every day. Quite frequently I have another bowl as
a late night snack, and sometimes I’ll mix it up and pour myself Apple Cinnamon
Cheerios instead. Regardless of the brand, it can be counted upon that cereal
will factor into my day. Cereal is a staple in any college student’s diet. Large
plastic dispensers of cereal are permanent fixtures in both dining halls on
campus and it is not unusual to witness a bowl of cereal being substituted for
Sodexo’s common fare. Whether it is enjoyed in a dorm room for breakfast or
relied upon as something edible for lunch, cereal is consumed many times
throughout the week. Being such a prevalent dining option, it is natural to
wonder about the nutritional benefits of cereal. The good news is that studies
have shown eating cereal correlates with a healthier lifestyle.
Many studies
conducted in the past have shown cereal intake to be “associated with positive
health outcomes” (Albertson et al 749). As a part of the National Heart, Lung
and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study (NGHS), an experiment was conducted
to determine the factors that led to cereal as a nutritional breakfast. The study followed the breakfast habits of a
diverse grouping of 2379 girls through adolescence, specifically noting those
meals that were “cereal breakfasts” and “non-cereal breakfasts.” Albertson et
al reported three significant findings: cereal contains more healthful
nutrients than foods found in non-cereal breakfasts, cereal is usually
associated with the consumption of other healthful foods at breakfast, and
eating cereal for breakfast indicates the behavior of healthy eating and high
levels of physical activity.
Compared to breakfasts
that feature foods such as eggs, meats, and quick breads (waffles and pancakes)
cereal breakfasts are more nutritious. The NGHS found that cereal provides more
fiber, iron, folic acid, and zinc while decreasing the amount of fat, sodium,
and sugar consumed. Cereal also contains low amounts of cholesterol. A downside
to this breakfast choice is its lack of protein, carbohydrates, and calcium; however,
this deficiency can be made up for in cereal’s best friend: milk.
As an excellent source of calcium, milk is a positive
addition to any diet and especially for those in adolescence. Albertson et al
reported that a girl was 5.6 more likely to have milk if she ate a cereal
breakfast. Having cereal facilitates other healthy choices. On the other hand,
girls were 2.4 times more likely to have fats and sweets in non-cereal
breakfasts. The consumption of soda is more prevalent in non-cereal breakfasts,
and when tied with lower calcium intake can be linked to a risk for obesity. Eating
cereal for breakfast has a tendency to cut out unhealthy foods, therefore
leading to overall health benefits. Healthy
eating is directly connected to reduced cholesterol, improved cardiovascular health,
and a low body mass index.
Another way cereal is connected to increased health is
by the lifestyle it suggests. When Albertson et al looked at the daily
behaviors of their subjects, they discovered healthier trends in those that ate
cereal for breakfast. Those who enjoyed cereal breakfasts tended to have
greater fiber and less fat intake during the day and also had higher rates of
physical activity. While cereal obviously can’t cause exercise, the relation
between the two comes from an overall lifestyle choice; people who try to live
healthily eat better and tend to be physically active as well.
Breakfast has always
been the most important meal of the day, and the importance of starting any day
off right only increases when you take into consideration the busy life of a
college student. With a full schedule of classes and a rigorous work load, it
is easy to slip on healthy behaviors. Having cereal for breakfast is an easy
way for a student to take care of themselves. Isn’t that what the Mini-Wheats
commercials are always telling us? Keeps ‘em full, keeps ‘em focused! And who
knows, as the NGHS findings suggest, an increase in cereal breakfasts may lead
to an outbreak of Ultimate Frisbee on the campus green. Staying healthy can be
as easy as substituting the omelet bar for a bowl of Life. As Tony the Tiger
says, cereal is more than just good for you, it’s GRRREAT!
Albertson, Ann M., et al. "Consumption of Breakfast Cereal is
Associated with Positive Health Outcomes: Evidence from the
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study."
Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) 28.11 (2008): 744-52. Ebsco Host. Web. 14 May. 2012.
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