The truth behind your bowl of cereal

Here we are, already on week 2 of the share your love for cereal week!

Congrats again to @JoeyfromSC for winning the cereal prize for week 1.

This week I have another great prize for my cereal lovers.

Today I want to talk about the truth behind the bowl, I want to try to clear up misconceptions about cereal.  Dr. Keith Ayoob, an internationally recognized dietitian who has worked extensively in the area of child nutrition, obesity, heart health and family dynamics for more than two decades, has partnered with General Mills to help correct cereal misconceptions and let moms know that cereal is actually one of the healthiest breakfast choices they can make for their family.

 

"Your child´s favorite cereals may actually help fight childhood obesity," said Dr. Keith Ayoob Ed.D., RD. "Cereal provides key nutrients that are important to overall health and cereals, including sweetened cereals, provide less than 5 percent of a child´s daily sugar intake."

In addition, did you know cereal is lower in calories and higher in nutrition than many other breakfast options like bagels with cream cheese and pancakes?

• A 2009 study of children aged 6 to 18 shows cereal eaters have healthier body weights than those who don´t eat cereal, regardless of sweetness level.
• Cereal eaters consume less fat than non-cereal eaters.
• Not all cereals are equal and it´s important to read the labels -- General Mills is proud of its commitment to reduce sugar in all of its kids´ cereals to single-digit levels per serving.
• General Mills has more than 30 nutritious cereals with 130 calories or less per serving.  

As you eat or serve your next bowl of cereal please take a few minutes to read the front and side of the box of cereal.  Look at the nutrition facts and ingredient list.  Compare that label with other foods you would typically serve for breakfast. 

**********For one entry into this week's giveaway of mini bowls of cereal, bowls from Crate & Barrel & adorable Zak Design spoons, what did you learn when you looked at your cereal box.  Please leave me a comment below with something you learned from reading your labels.  You can leave up to 3 separate comments for each thing you learned from your nutrition label.

For additional entries

*Follow me on twitter @cookwith5kids

*Tweet this contest to your followers

Leave a separate comment for each one entry. 5 entries max per person!

Disclaimer: I was sent a giftpack from General Mills and MyBlogSpark to review.  The opinions I have provided above are all my own.  Winners must live in the US. Good Luck!