Rethinking the Cereal Aisle

What's in Your Toddler's Cereal Bowl?

By Teri Brown

Dr. Ramsden suggests that parents look for a ratio of total carbohydrates to fiber of about five to one, the ratio present in most true whole grains. Additionally, Dr. Ramsden says some cereals contain surprisingly high concentrations of sodium. A few cereals still contain small amounts of toxic trans-fats.

"You should avoid feeding any food made with partially hydrogenated oil to your child," Dr. Ramsden says. "Finally, recent human and animal studies have linked artificial sweeteners with overeating, future weight gain and metabolic disturbances. While more research needs to be done, artificial sweeteners are unlikely to provide any health benefits and may actually backfire."

Dr. Ramsden suggests that parents disregard health claims such as low-fat and no cholesterol when trying to identify a high-quality cereal. As carbohydrate-rich grain-based plant foods, all cereals are low in fat. Because plants don't make cholesterol, most are also cholesterol-free.

"Instead of focusing on total quantities of fats or carbohydrates, place more emphasis on carbohydrate quality," Dr. Ramsden says. "Look for whole-grain, high-protein, high-fiber cereals with a total carbohydrate to fiber ratio of about five to one. As an added bonus, some cereals contain omega-3 fats, key nutrients that few U.S. children consume enough of. Because many highly processed 'junk' cereals are fortified with vitamins, pay more attention to carbohydrate quality than vitamin content. If you are worried about vitamin deficiency consider adding a multivitamin."

Want to see more?

• When Going to Solids, Timing Is Everything: Introducing Cereal to Baby
• Walk the Walk: Being a Nutritional Role Model for Your Children
• Square Meals: Do Kids Need Three Square Meals a Day?
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