What cereals to give for breakfast to children?
Cereals are a classic for breakfast, but are they all worth it? We help you choose the healthy option for your sons and daughters.
Along with toasts, sandwiches and sweets, cereals are one of the most popular breakfasts in our country. Usually accompanied by milk , they are the perfect food to give to children in the morning before going to school as they contain a multitude of benefits such as carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and fiber . However, we must be very careful with the cereals that we choose to feed our children, since the most industrial ones that we find in the market also have a lot of sugar.
Therefore, if we want to reduce the amount of sugar that children eat, it is one of the foods that we must watch. According to a study from the Harvard School of Public Health , sugar is a key factor in obesity and heart problems. Some cereals contain up to 40% sugar and 12 grams of sugar per serving. If you want to make sure you buy cereals with an acceptable percentage of sugar, check the container for how many grams it contains; 5 grams or less is ideal. Another fact that this same study reveals is that commercial cereals are made from refined grains that are low in fiber. This type of cereal causes digestion to occur very quickly, spiking blood sugar levels and leaving consumers hungry after a short time.
Cereals are very healthy for the body in several ways: they help intestinal transit by preventing constipation, they lower cholesterol and provide calories that provide the energy necessary to face the day. These are the types of cereals you can find:
Index
WHEAT
It is the one most consumed in cereals. It contains a large amount of vitamins E and B , protein, linoleic acid and fiber, which stimulates digestion. Other of its nutrients are iron, magnesium, calcium, copper and selenium.
AVENA
Oatmeal differs from other types of cereals in that it gives you the feeling of being full for much longer. Its nutritional values include vitamins E and group B , calcium, magnesium, iron, fiber and carbohydrates. It is also very convenient for those who suffer from cholesterol, since its amino acids help reduce it.
CORN
Its easy digestion makes it highly recommended for children’s breakfast. Like the other cereals, it also contains vitamins B1, B3 and B9, magnesium, antioxidants, fiber and carbohydrates. It has proven to be a good food to prevent cancer and lower cholesterol.
RICE
Another cereal on which commercial cereals are based is rice. Its nutrients are many and range from vitamins B, C and A to carbohydrates and iron. These values can help many people with health problems: iron is suitable for anemia, B vitamins for stress, insomnia and headaches, C for colds and A to support the immune system.
BARLEY
Barley stands out for being slightly laxative and remineralizing, since its nutrients include magnesium, phosphorus and potassium, apart from vitamins E and B shared by other cereals. It is also a food low in gluten and high in lysine, very suitable for strengthening muscles.
WHAT’S GOOD
It is the most exotic cereal since it is the most consumed in Asian countries. Its main characteristic is that it is the only alkalizing cereal, which means that it helps balance the pH of our body, and therefore, of the acids we consume. It also contains fiber, magnesium, B vitamins, phosphorus, and iron. Millet is gluten-free, which makes it easy to digest and suitable for those allergic to this set of proteins.
We or ourselves can also prepare a healthier breakfast for children by adding seeds or fruit, both normal and dehydrated. Some fruits that combine very well with cereals are strawberries, blackberries, bananas, kiwi, figs, pears or peaches.
With this review of natural cereals, we hope we have convinced you of the importance of providing a healthy breakfast for your children, since excess sugar can be very harmful for them.
Dr. Tabriella Perivolaris, Sara's mother and fan of fashion, beauty, motherhood, among others, about the female universe. Since 2018 she has been working as a copywriter, always bringing to her articles a little of her experience and experience as a mother and woman.