A recent study by GoCoCo (‘Go Conscious Consumer’), an app dedicated to changing the way we think about nutrition and healthy eating, has revealed that many breakfast cereals advertised as “healthy” may not be living up to their claims. While many of us are attracted to cereals marketed as “good sources of fiber” or “low in fat,” the study found that 98% of the 60 kinds of cereal classified as “healthy” by supermarkets were ultra-processed, and 90% of these cereals contained high levels of sugar, averaging 22.5 grams per 100 grams. Additionally, 37% of these cereals had high salt levels.
The study also found that these “healthy” cereals were less nutritious than their sugary counterparts. Unfortunately, companies often use sophisticated marketing techniques to make these cereals seem healthy by adding nuts, dried fruit, and whole grains associated with a healthy diet. Still, they also add sugar and salt to enhance taste and make them more appealing to consumers. Furthermore, many kinds of cereal contain artificial coloring and flavoring, making them more attractive on store shelves. Companies often add vitamins and minerals as a marketing tactic too, even though these nutrients are easily obtained through natural, unprocessed sources such as fruits and vegetables.
Fortunately, there are less-ingredient and minimally-sweetened cereal varieties that are accessible. For instance, Alpen No Added Sugar and Nature’s Path Organic Fruit Juice Corn Flakes Cereal are just two options the study called out. For individuals seeking a filling meal that won’t jeopardize their health or weight management objectives, muesli cereal is also an attractive option.
The most important meal of the day may not always be breakfast, despite the study’s concentration on breakfast cereals. The entire nutritional value of a person’s diet, not just one particular meal, is essential. If other meals are balanced and no ultra-processed snacks are consumed between meals, skipping breakfast can be good.
For those looking for healthy breakfast alternatives to cereal, options include:
- Oatmeal: Oatmeal is an excellent option for breakfast because it is high in fiber and protein. You can add fruits like bananas, blueberries, or strawberries to it for added flavor and chia seeds, matcha or hemp heart powder for nutrients.
- Greek Yogurt: Greek yogurt is an excellent source of protein and can help you stay full for extended periods. You can add fruits, nuts, or honey to it for added flavor.
- Smoothies: Smoothies are another great way to pack several nutrients in one meal. Add fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds to your smoothie for a healthy and filling breakfast.
- Eggs: Eggs are a great source of protein and can help you stay full for extended periods. You can scramble, poach, or boil them and pair them with whole-grain bread for a complete meal.
- Avocado Toast: Avocado toast is a popular breakfast option and a great source of healthy fats. You can add eggs, tomatoes, or salmon for added nutrients.
Health conscious consumers may learn which foods are healthy and which are not by using apps like GoCoCo. GoCoCo makes this possible via a powerful product scanner which uses algorithms and AI to analyze food labels in real-time, providing information about the food’s nutritional worth and suggesting healthier alternatives, if necessary. To make maintaining a healthy diet easier, the app also offers meal planning, recipes, shopping lists, and personalized recommendations based on users’ goals, interests, and lifestyles.
In conclusion, having a healthy breakfast is crucial to getting the day started, and there are a variety of possibilities. However, it may be best to avoid buying “healthy” breakfast cereals that might not live up to their claims by avoiding falling for the marketing hype.
