Three Cautious Cheers For Cheerios

Navigating through the cereal aisle can be a bit tricky.  So many colorful choices that are loaded with sugar.  Many heavy deals and negotiations have gone on in my family down the cereal aisle.  If a sugary cereal has made it into our home, more negotiations are needed to determine when and how much of that cereal can be eaten.  I like to let the kids have some non-ayurvedic treats because they have friends who do not eat that way.  To totally deprive them of foods their friends eat will only result in resentment and rebellion.  For the record, sugary cereals are allowed twice a week, but they must be mixed with a healthy cereal.  A healthy cereal is one that is defined as no more than three grams of sugar per serving and at least three grams of fiber per serving.

A common healthy cereal choice is Cheerios or Trader Joe's O's.  Each cereal has the required amounts of fiber and sugar.  However, the name Cheerios does not always mean healthy.  Some of my children have brought me Chocolate Cheerios, Frosted Cheerios, Banana Nut Cheerios and many of the other types of flavored Cheerios.  They excitedly think they have a healthy cereal that seems better than plain Cheerios.  These types of Cheerios are not healthy and they are loaded with sugar.  At this point, the kids and I read the label and they see the facts.  The moral of the story is that it is a good thing to teach your children and yourself to read labels and not rely on a brand reputation.

Stay healthy & well,
Lisa