The health benefits and risks of eating cereals for breakfast have been debated among health professionals. On the one hand, cereals made from whole grains and rich in fiber are known to help lower cholesterol and improve digestive health.
But on the other hand, grains that are high in sugar, made from refined carbohydrates, and low in fiber can adversely affect your health goals and weight loss plans. The important thing is to know which serials to choose and which serials to avoid.
I talked to Holly Kramer, MS, RDNAs a dietitian and writer registered with the My Crohn’s and Colitis Team, about taking up the healthiest breakfast cereals for weight loss. And what is her answer? Kellogg’s Honey Smacks..
Continue reading to learn why Honey Smacks is considered one of the worst weight loss cereals. For healthier weight loss tips, check out the best weight loss drinks for breakfast.
The # 1 worst cereal for weight loss is Kellogg’s Honey Smacks.
“Honey Smacks may look like a low-calorie breakfast option for weight loss, because one cup of serving provides only 130 calories,” says Kramer. Add 18 grams of sugar per serving.. “
From a different point of view, this is the same amount of sugar contained in the four Oreo cookies. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans require Americans to limit their additional sugar intake to less than 10% of their daily caloric intake. This is equivalent to 50 grams of additional sugar if you are eating a 2,000 calorie diet. in short, One cup of honey smacks accounts for more than one-third of the total amount of sugar that needs to be limited per day. (Other public health organizations, such as the American Heart Association, say that sugar intake should be further restricted to 25 grams or less per day.)
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the added sugar accounts for about 270 calories per day (more than 13% of total calories) in the US population. Specifically, breakfast cereals account for 7% of the average total sugar intake behind sugar-sweetened beverages, desserts, coffee / tea drinks, and candies. Therefore, if you can replace Honey Smacks with low-sugar breakfast cereals, you can significantly reduce your total sugar intake.
the study It shows that high glycemic index (GI) foods, such as sweet breakfast cereals that tend to raise blood sugar, make it harder to lose weight than low GI foods.
Sugar isn’t the only problem with Honey Smacks …
Not only that, Klamer points out that the protein and fiber in this cereal is very low, weighing only 2 grams each. “This combination of high sugar, low protein, and low fiber means that you’ll feel hungry right after you eat Honey Smacks. For breakfast, eat something low in sugar, high in protein and fiber. It’s best to eat. I’m trying to lose weight. “
Eggs, for example, are a good example of a high-protein breakfast for weight loss. Studies published in European Journal of Nutrition Participants reported that eating an egg breakfast was more satisfying and less hungry than eating cereals. Researchers have also found that egg eaters burn 438 calories throughout the day than those who pour their own cereal bowls.
This does not mean that you need to avoid grains altogether when you want to lose weight.
A Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Nutrition Studies show that by combining whole-grain high-fiber breakfast cereals with regular exercise routines, participants added exercise to their daily pathways more than participants who did not eat this breakfast food. I found that I lost more weight.
If you’re a cereal lover and you’re trying to lose weight, the next time you shop at a grocery store, you can check out the higher fiber and healthier cereal options.
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