Breakfast cereal seen as wisest choice for teens

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This article was published 10/04/2002 (8799 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Teens caught in the morning rush who stop for a quick bowl of cereal help their bodies and the family budget.

“There are food choices that are convenient and taste good that can be part of a healthy diet,” said Dr. Theresa Nicklas, professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. “Ready-to-eat cereals provide a good choice for teens in a hurry.”

Nicklas, a researcher at the USDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center at Baylor, led a study of 550 Grade 9 students and the breakfasts they ate. The purpose was to compare the nutritional value and cost of three groups of breakfast foods –fast foods, ready-to-eat cereals and all other choices.

“The results indicate that adolescents who consume a cereal breakfast obtain more vitamins and minerals for their dollar than those making other breakfast choices,” she said. “Although breakfast cereals are perceived as being expensive, they remain a good morning-meal buy from a nutrition standpoint.”

The study determined the average cost of a fast-food meal was $2.38, compared to 78 cents for a serving of cereal.

The cereal breakfast had significantly lower amounts of fat and cholesterol and higher amounts of carbohydrates, fibre and protein, compared to the other breakfast choices. Teens consuming a cereal breakfast also received a better boost in vitamins and minerals.

“The average cost of the cereal breakfast was lower than the other breakfast choices, and overall, the cereal breakfast was more nutrient-dense, in terms of vitamins and minerals,” she said.

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While no study has shown that caffeine causes birth defects, it’s not pregnancy-friendly, either. In the April/May issue, FIT PREGNANCY cites research which found twice the risk of miscarriage in women who consumed 1,000 milligrams of caffeine a day, compared with those who consumed very low levels.

As a result, pregnant women are well-advised to monitor their caffeine intake.

Here’s how much caffeine is in some popular soft drinks and foods.

Starbucks –16 oz. Coffee Grande, 400 mg; 8 oz. Short Caf Latte, 90 mg.

7-Eleven — 32 oz. Big Gulp (Diet Coke), 124 mg; 32 oz. Big Gulp (Coca-Cola Classic), 92 mg.

Ben & Jerry’s — 8 oz. Coffee Coffee BuzzBuzzBuzz Ice Cream; 72 mg.

Hershey’s — 1.55 oz. Milk Chocolate Bar; 10 mg.

Dannon — 8 oz. Light ‘n’ Fit Cappuccino Yogurt, 0 mg.

source: www.fitpregnancy.com

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