From CNBC article dated Dec. 9, 2009:
“The Rudd Center recently published a study that found the least-healthy breakfast cereals are the most frequently and aggressively marketed directly to children. It also found that General Mills markets to children more than any other cereal company, and six of 10 least-healthy cereals in its study were made by the company.”
“The Food and Drug Administration has been cracking down on food packaging that touts misleading health benefits. That led to one industry organization halt its “Smart Choices” labeling program, which was attacked because sugary cereals like Fruit Loops qualified for the label.”
http://www.cnbc.com/id/34344522/
What cereals are you feeding your children?
Are you vigilant about purchasing organic or hormone & antibiotic free milk?
- Papa
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When I was a child we were never “allowed” to have sugar cereals. In college and as a young single professional I made up for lost time by always having a box of Frosted Flakes or Sugar Corn Pops on my shelf. Just the names alone conjure up images of my dentist…
Now that I am a parent I find myself “allowing” my daughter 4.5yo to have pretty much anything to eat. In moderation. She likes Honey Nut Cheerios, and Rice Krispies , and Kix. But those are balanced by steel cut oatmeal and pancakes made from scratch.
And both girls ( the baby is 15 mo) are given organic milk whenever possible. I on the other hand continue to reach for Froot Loops in plain old non organic milk from the big plastic jug.
Well, duh.
I love it when mainstream media jumps on board with what has been known by us “renegades” for years. The sugary cereals are also stocked on the middle shelf in the supermarket, right at kids’ eye level. Even the packaging that seems to be well-intended is intentionally misleading–stating that something is made with “whole grains” does not mean that it is not unhealthy or off the charts with sugar.
When my children eat cereal, it’s usually what we’re eating–my son is particularly fond of “cereal with strawberries in it” aka, Special K Red Berries. My son reacts very strongly to excessive sugar (he’s almost five). He has trouble controlling his impulses, becomes hyper, and is prone to stronger fits of frustration when he’s ingested too much of the sweet stuff. My husband and I recently started severely limiting his sugar intake, and the difference has been marked.
We have been purchasing hormone & antibiotic free milk for years, and we have just switched to organic.