When I think of cereals for breakfast for children , the first thing that comes to mind is a crunchy chocolate cereal with milk. Various well-known brands, mostly from America, rely on a lot of added sugar to convince children with their sweetness. Basically, cereals consist of healthy grains, but due to industrial processing and the high level of added sugar, the originally valuable grains lose their nutrients.
Although they contain some important vitamins for daily needs in the body, they are too calorie-heavy. These breakfast cereals are therefore not recommended for children in the long term. With breakfast cereals for children, VERIVAL offers a healthy and delicious alternative. You can learn about the benefits of healthy cereals for children in this article.
What are cereals anyway?
The term cereals refers to products made from grains, which are poured with a liquid, usually milk, to form a mixture, such as a porridge. There have been numerous approaches in the past aimed at improving people's breakfasts and diets. Just think of the world-famous Bircher muesli , which was specially developed to make a balanced diet with fiber and vitamins available to the masses.
Healthy cereals are mainly made from products derived from oatmeal , corn, and cereal . However, there are also varieties with amaranth, quinoa, and buckwheat, the pseudocereals. Cornflakes made from corn are pre-roasted and usually crispy without added sugar. This differs from many crispy mueslis, as they have been coated with sugar.
Flakes are rolled corn kernels, while oatmeal is natural in its form. Chocolate cornflakes have a high sugar content. Original cornflakes are naturally healthy and derived from corn, containing beneficial vitamins. If too much sugar is added during the processing of corn into corn flakes or if they are not processed gently, the valuable ingredients are lost.
High sugar content in children's cornflakes, pops, and co.
The high sugar content in many popular brands is often perceived as a problem concerning a balanced diet. Especially for children, a product with a lot of sugar is very attractive, which is reflected in consumer behavior. Popular brands are favored, while those with little to no sugar tend to be preferred by adults.
However, there is also a high sugar content in chocolate muesli, as well as in various toppings used in the porridges, for example. Every third child in Austria is overweight. Excessive sugar consumption is directly related to an increased risk of becoming overweight.
The more sugar is consumed, the more insulin is released, which in turn stimulates more fat cells to store. It is therefore indisputable that unnecessary, excessive sources of sugar must be avoided, especially in children. You may wonder, “ My child doesn't want breakfast? What can I do? " Sugar-reduced variants of VERIVAL's children's breakfast products offer a solution.
Salinity of conventional cereals
The salt content is relatively negligible, except for the specific flavors of some mueslis and cornflakes. Do you enjoy a salty breakfast? Few people do, and yet there is some flavor with this spicy note. In this way, the salt may also cover an iodine deficiency. Iodine is important for proper thyroid function.
The consequences for children of breakfast calorie bombs
Of course, as a father or mother, you must also consider what you prepare for your children for breakfast. On one hand, cereals have many nutrients, but on the other hand, you may find it challenging to convince your children to try sugar-free cereals. Especially if they have previously eaten a sweetened branded product, reversing their preference can be difficult.
The sugar content promotes obesity and can also affect behavior. Sugar tends to have a stimulating effect on many children. It should also be noted that sugar is not good for dental health. A balanced diet in the morning is therefore very important. Fruit juices, often used in combination with cereals, also contain a lot of sugar.
It is important to pay close attention to when, how often, and to what extent you allow such types of food in your children's diet. Unsweetened cornflakes and those with little sugar are highly recommended. That’s why we at VERIVAL have thought about how we can make classic breakfasts even healthier. We now offer organic cornflakes without added sugar.
VERIVAL products for less sugar on the breakfast table
With VERIVAL, you will find a great alternative for breakfast in the morning without your children complaining. The beneficial breakfast also has many advantages for you. The online shop offers numerous varieties of cereal, porridge and all kinds of flakes . The full organic standard applies, and regardless of whether you eat gluten-free or vegan, every allergy sufferer and every diet will be satisfied here.
In addition, the VERIVAL children's brand Yanick & Fee offers three other balanced, nutrient-rich organic products with low sugar content and made from whole grains. Chocolate and fruity cereals, as well as a berry crunchy with greatly reduced sugar content, are available.
Gluten-free products offer children with gluten intolerance a new breakfast experience, just as there is an enormous selection for vegans. The cereal comes directly from the Tyrolean mountains and has been carefully and lovingly processed. Sustainable and energetic, it is the new breakfast for you and your whole family.
