Dr. Ernest Patti Answers, What’s In Your Cereal?

Sugar shouldn’t be a “major food group.” Yet somehow it is an added ingredient in a lot of foods and beverages, including many breakfast cereals.

Historically, sugar was only used as an occasional treat for special celebrations. Now it appears that it is a staple in the diets of many, eaten at practically every meal and snack. One teaspoon of granulated sugar equals 4 grams of sugar. The following are the sugar content for one serving of some of the most popular cereals on the market:

CEREAL TYPE	AMOUNT OF SUGAR
Honey Smacks	14 teaspoons
Cocoa Krispies	9.6 teaspoons
Frosted Flakes	8.9 teaspoons
Raisin Bran	7.8 teaspoons

 

In comparison, one Snickers bar contains 7 teaspoons of sugar and a 12 oz. can of cola contains 10 teaspoons of sugar. Excessive sugar in your diet can contribute to heart disease, obesity, diabetes, as well as tooth decay. The recommended amount for an adult is 5 teaspoons a day and for children 3 teaspoons a day.

Make sure you are making the right food choices at every meal, and try one of these healthy breakfast alternatives:

-Oatmeal

-Greek yogurt with fresh fruits

-Trail mix

-Scrambled eggs with veggies

-Egg white sandwich

-Whole-wheat muffin

Dr. Ernest Patti