The Great Cereal Debate…To let your child eat it or not to eat it!
Walking down the cereal aisle in the grocery store with your child(ren) is almost as difficult as making it through the check-out line with the mini candy store on your right hand side. Crying, whining, begging, and bargaining typically resonate and echo throughout the store, driving the other patrons out of the store and forcing parents to concede to the demands of the children for the sake of the elusive ‘peace and quiet’. Parents rationalize this choice by asking themselves, “What harm can it do?”
The result of this recurring scene is more damaging that you might imagine. This trend has contributed to the obesity crisis in children, the epidemic dental conditions, and the increasing rate of children afflicted with type 2 diabetes. The recent comparison of breakfast cereal to candy appears to have some credence. Cereals that are marketed for children are laden with sugar. The amount of sugar present in children’s cereals is as comparable to the amount found in candy. Statistics claims 88% of kid’s cereals are high in sugar content.
So what can you as a parent do to satisfy your child’s breakfast demands without contributing to a health problem? Read the nutrition labels on the cereal boxes. Choose cereals with low sugar contents. Another option would be to serve your child something besides cereal. You could try cutting up fruit and serving it in a bowl with toasted whole grain bread or English muffins. If you have difficulty resisting your child’s requests while at the store, don’t bring the child with you when you shop. Or just take a stand and explain to your child that his or her health is too important to risk.
