What are the benefits of eating cereal in the morning?

Breakfast is often considered the most important meal of the day, and it is true. Whatever food you choose in the morning, it will fuel you for the rest of the day, so it pays to pick a wholesome cereal that can keep you full and provides nutrients that you need.

What is breakfast cereal?

Breakfast cereals are made from processed grains and have a lot of vitamins and minerals. It is also commonly eaten with milk, yogurt, fruit, or nuts. Here’s how healthy breakfast cereal is made:

  1.     Processing – The grains are processed into fine flour and then cooked.
  2.     Mixing – The flour is usually mixed with sugar, cocoa, and water.
  3.     Extrusion – Many popular breakfast cereals are produced via extrusion, a high-temperature process that uses a machine to shape the cereal.
  4.     Drying – In the next process, the cereal is dried.
  5.     Shaping – Last but not least, the cereal is shaped into forms, like balls, stars, loops, or even rectangles.

Some cereals are also puffed, flaked, or shredded and even coated in chocolate or frosting before dried.

Benefits of Breakfast Cereal:

During the 19th century, Americans started eating cereals, which were first created using simple bran nuggets to regulate a meat-heavy diet. But, nowadays, it is now the favorite breakfast food known for providing various health benefits.

According to a study, the key to a nutritious breakfast is variety, which can easily be achieved by including all four food groups. One of the most balanced breakfasts is eating a bowl of whole-grain cereal and milk, along with a fruit. It will help provide adequate energy for the body and supply various essential nutrients such as B-vitamins, iron, zinc, and calcium specifically needed for children’s growth and development. Here are a few characteristics of breakfast cereal:

–        Breakfast cereals are low in fat, nutrient-dense, and cholesterol-free food containing essential vitamins and minerals. They also play a key role in helping consumers of all ages move towards a healthy, balanced diet.

–        The ready-to-eat breakfast cereals also encourage increased consumption of milk and possibly fruit. Consuming milk and milk products like yogurt and cheese is associated with higher diet quality and adequate intake of several nutrients, including calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, riboflavin, folate, and vitamin D.

Breakfast cereals also help promote bone health and development thanks to the calcium, vitamin D, and protein provided from the milk and milk products consumed along with them.

Other Benefits of Breakfast Cereals

Weight and Hunger

There are various types of cereals, like granola, muesli, etc. When you eat cereals with granola benefits in the morning, then you’re less likely to experience cravings for unhealthy, high-calorie, and high-fat foods later. According to research from the International Journal of Obesity, skipping the morning meals can cause obesity, decrease vitality, and impair social, emotional, and mental health functioning.

Nutrition

Breakfast cereal is the fourth largest source of added sugar after soft drinks, desserts, and candy. But, some cereals do provide a few nutrients. One cup of dry bran can offer four grams of protein and seven grams of dietary fiber with less than seven grams of sugar. One-half cup of dry oatmeal is another healthy choice as it can provide more than five grams of protein, four grams of fiber, and less than a half-gram of sugar.

Health Effects

Fiber-rich cereals like oatmeal and bran can also encourage good gastrointestinal health and decrease the risks of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and colon cancer. You can get more fiber per serving by eating cereal with berries, and you can even boost the protein and calcium content of your meal by adding low-fat or nonfat milk.

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