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Processed Foods = Sugar

Nonna Joann — Thu, 21 May 2009 17:37:51 +0000

How much sugar is there in processed foods?

Turns out a lot!
We tend to overlook added sugars in processed foods. But, sugar is a primary ingredient in most of our processed foods and breakfast foods are the worst. Sugar is an early riser, who loves to ambush your child first thing in the morning. He lays await in most breakfast foods. Additionally, sugar can always also be found lurking in baked goods.

1) Carnation Instant Breakfast has 20 grams or 4¼ teaspoons of sugar in one serving!

2) Cereals usually give one cup as a serving size. Children’s cereals like Lucky Charms, Trix or Fruit Loops have the same amount of added sugars: 13-15 grams or 3 teaspoons of sugar at one sitting! MultiGrain Cheerios is a little better at 6 grams or 1½ teaspoons of sugar. A warm breakfast sound nutritious, doesn’t it?

But what about…
3) Instant Oatmeal: All flavors have between 12 -13 grams or 3 teaspoons of sugar, not any better than the cereals.

4) The last item in our list is Nutella. This has taken the place of wholesome peanut or almond butter in many homes. Can you guess what’s the first ingredient? Yes, Sugar! 2 tablespoons of Nutella, has a whooping 20 grams of sugar or over 4 teaspoons. Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

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Kids’ Cereal Claims

Nonna Joann — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:48:12 +0000

Eighty percent of children eat boxed cereal for breakfast. The Journal of the “American Dietetic Association” reports a study concerning children’s cereals. They found the claims made for kids’ cereals were often misleading. Are you surprised? I’m not!

Cereals sold as “low fat” or “low sugar” were not lower in calories. Brands touted as “whole grain” did have more fiber, but they had just as much salt, sugar, and fat as other brands and the same calorie content.

Children’s cereals have more sugar, sodium, carbohydrates, and calories per gram than non-children’s cereals. Kids’ cereals have less protein and fiber than other cereals. Sugar accounts for more than one-third of the weight of children’s cereals.

Kids’ cereals are marketed to children, not only on TV but in the grocery store with colorful characters displayed on the front of the package. My rule of thumb is NOT to purchase a product with a cartoon character on it.

Angel knows a healthy breakfast doesn’t come in a cereal box.

I recommend not purchasing kid cereals at all. Once the product is no longer in your pantry, it will be easier to convince your hungry child to eat a healthy breakfast. If you purchase boxed cereals, look for the most nutritious cereal by reading the nutrition label. The sugar content should be less than four grams per serving. Four grams is about one teaspoon of sugar.

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