There’s a lot of emphasis in trying to get kids to eat and drink healthier options, but apparently, that does not include “the most important meal of the day.”
According to a study published by the American Medical Association, kids’ breakfast cereals have gotten even LESS healthy over the past 15 years.
They looked at the newly-launched cereals between 2010 and 2023, and found significant increases in fat, sodium, and sugar, and decreases in protein and fiber content.
Compared to 2010, total fat per serving increased 33.6%, sodium content increased by 32.1%, and sugar by 10.9%.
In fact, the average amount of added sugar is so high that a single serving of children’s cereal is more than 45% of the American Heart Association’s total daily recommended limit for children. In hour #1 of them being awake.
That seems surprising, since everyone has known for decades that cereals marketed to children are sugary and unhealthy, but apparently, companies have discovered that parents are reluctant to fight a healthy food battle in the morning.
And check this out: The study didn’t include the classic stuff, they only considered 1,200 children’s cereals that were newly-launched in that timeframe. Yes, there were almost 100 new cereals every year, in those 13 years.
They did include existing brands that re-launched with a new flavor, new formulation, or even new packaging. But still.
(If there’s any advice for families, it’s just to be aware that these cereals aren’t the most nutritional choices. And to try to avoid sugary, proceeded foods and drinks as much as possible.)
