Ready-to-eat breakfast cereals are convenient and they taste great.  Vitamin fortified cereals also are a healthy and nutritious source of a number of important vitamins and minerals and play a positive role in maintaining a balanced and healthy diet. 

Research has shown that people who eat cereal frequently are better off nutritionally than those who eat cereal less often. Frequent cereal eaters get more of their daily nutrition needs from cereal and have healthier body weights. 

Improved Nutrition
Another recent study demonstrated that children who eat cereal at least every other day skip fewer breakfasts than those who eat cereal less often.  And, when they regularly eat cereal, studies show that children have better nutrient intakes compared to those who eat cereal less often.  Frequent cereal eaters have higher intakes of calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C and B vitamins.  

Similarly, adults who eat cereal at least every other day have higher intakes of fiber, vitamins and minerals, and lower intakes of fat, percent of calories from fat, and cholesterol.

Healthier Body Weight
Breakfast consumption is a healthy habit that has been associated with healthier body weights among both children and adults. Research has identified the following results.

·               Adults who eat breakfast tend to weigh less than those who skip breakfast. This study compared the breakfast habits of more than 16,000 people.

·               Eating breakfast almost every day is the common habit shared by 90 percent of people participating in the National Weight Registry (these are people who have maintained weight loss of at least 30 pounds for one year). The study analyzed the eating habits of more than 3,000 people.  

·               Eating breakfast may affect body weight in several ways. For instance, eating breakfast tends to cut back impulsive snacking. Research has shown that calorie intakes tend to be higher on days when people skip breakfast. And, cereal eaters eat less fat at breakfast as well as for the whole day. Finally, cereal is a major source of whole grain, and whole grain intake has been associated with a healthier body weight.

Related Research:
Albertson  et al. Ready-to-eat cereal consumption: its relationship with BMI and nutrient intake of children aged 4 to 12 years. J Am Diet Assoc. 2003;103(12):1613-9.

Cho et al.  The effect of breakfast type on total daily energy intake and body mass index: Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). JACN.  2003,22(4):296-302.

Crockett et al.  Impact of ready-to-eat cereal consumption on the nutrient intakes of American adults in 1998-99.  J Am Diet Assoc, 2001;A-100.

Schlundt et al.  The role of breakfast in the treatment of obesity: a randomized clinical trial.  Am J Clin Nutr.  1992;55:645-51.

Wyatt et al.  Long-term weight loss and breakfast in subjects in the National Weight Control Registry.  Obesity Research.  2002;10(2):78-82.