Are Breakfast Cereals Really Healthy?

Though breakfast cereals are not a bad choice, they are not as healthy as we think. Here are some actual facts.

Tuesday, May 16, 2017, 10:56 [IST]

Though Indians love to start the day with idli or upma, the trend has changed a lot nowadays. Everyone started loving breakfast cereals with milk.

It isn't a bad choice but it is not as healthy as we think. But eating cereals is very convenient and as we are already convinced that it is the healthiest meal, we prefer it. And yes, you don't need to spend a lot of time to prepare them.

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But if you take a look at some facts about breakfast cereals, you will realise that they are as good as any other processed food. Of course, you don't need to stop eating them completely. But moderation is the key.

What Exactly Is Breakfast Cereal?

Actually, breakfast cereal is also a processed food! And it is the first meal of the day. Generally, it is consumed along with milk or yoghurt.

What's The Problem With It?

Firstly, it is a product of refined grains. We all know how refined grains are not really healthy. Secondly, it is heavily processed. The processing of the grains is known as extrusion.

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How Are They Processed?

Firstly, the grains are processed and milled into flour and then refined. The refined flour is then treated with other ingredients to get the taste. Sugar and chocolate are added to get the flavour.

High Heat

After the flour is ready for the next stage, it is sent into a machine which shapes it to the final form using heat. This process is known as extrusion. After this, the cereals are sent for drying.

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Sugar!

Though breakfast cereals offer certain health benefits, the sugar content in them is the main problem. Also, as they are refined carbs, they may cause sudden spikes in blood sugar levels.

Added Sugar!

Another habit that makes breakfast cereal unhealthy is adding more sugar for taste. Generally, most of us do have the habit of adding more sugar before eating a bowl of cornflakes.

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Is It Really Wholegrain?

Though most of the brands use the word 'whole grain', the actual fact is they are processed heavily. Buying whole grains from the market is a lot different compared to buying products that are said to be derivatives of whole grain. But the labels of the products mislead us!