Sugary Cereal for Breakfast?

I remember when I used to get all bent out of shape about my kids eating sugary cereal for breakfast.

This isn't worth stressing over. A small bowl of sugary cereal with a banana and a hard boiled egg sounds okay to me. Watch the commercials. It says "part of a balanced breakfast," not "eat only a big bowl of froot loops and nothing else." The serving size is pretty small.

Yes. Everything in moderation. You don't want to make sugary cereal the "forbidden fruit" (sorry for the pun), so giving it on occasion is fine.

I ate Lucky Charms every day for breakfast when I was a kid and they never did me any harm. I also ate a decent diet the rest of the time. Let the kid have her Fruit Loops.

It is all about moderation and balance. When you forbid something... you make your kid go out of the way to get whatever it is you forbid. THAT is why she "inhales" it when she gets it.

SO what if she eats a sugary cereal.... she is eating and you are not creating a potential eating disorder by having rules on what she eats.

As long as she does include healthy foods she will be fine. Also make sure she maintains a regular dental routine.

Remember.... moderation and balance.

No, I think sugar kills, after reading too many books on sugar and watching too many documentaries about it. We do a quick "Kind" bar, or fry a quick egg, or do plain whole fat yogurt with berries and a touch of honey instead. I also do smoothies if we have a little time to make one and they can drink it in the car. I'm getting away from cereal all together, since most of them turn to sugar in your system anyway. My son has to be on the ice for hockey at 6:30am and we still get up and make him eggs, so he has a healthy breakfast before a game. Don't get me wrong, our family gets way too much sugar as is, with random treats here and there so we try to avoid sugar for actual meals. I'm by no means a sugar nazi, but I do try to keep it to a minimum after realizing how bad it is for us. It causes some cancers, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and much much more.

I lot of us were raised on it, and we now have a nutritional health crisis on our hands. One of the big factors in our nationwide weight problem is that our insulin is all screwed up by all the sugar, we have spikes and crashes, and zero nutrition is going in.

There's no need for any cereal at all, but if you serve even healthier alternatives, you absolutely have to put some protein in that breakfast! Something longer lasting (oatmeal and fruit, plus a scrambled egg, would be fabulous).

Your child might not eat that day, but she'll eat the next day. Once you stop giving in to the whining, and you put her in the car with a whole wheat English muffin and a nice little egg sandwich (look on line for the ones cooked in muffin tins - they are great and you can add in cheese, veggies, breakfast meats, etc.), you find you have a healthier and happier kid in the long run who will have more energy, more endurance, and better absorption of her education. Ask any teacher what happens to the junk breakfast kids around 9:30 in the morning. It's a nightmare.

I think it's frustrating to have a kid who "won't eat" but you really can outlast them and do the right thing!

What a variety of responses! All I can say is that I would not do this. You're going to be hearing more and more about how much sugar damages our insides through inflammation. And spiking her blood sugar isn't going to keep her going all morning. And what kind of snacks will she get at camp? My guess is sugary ones. So sugar and more sugar is likely going to be her day.

As a general rule, no. Junky cereals like Froot Loops contain not just an absurd amount of sugar, but artificial flavors and colors too. And after that sugar spike wears off, where will she find the energy to enjoy all the fun and activity at camp?

There are better options that are still fast but will give her the fat and protein she needs to start her day:

A whole grain bagel or toast with peanut butter
A PB&J sandwich
Hard boiled eggs
Yogurt
Whole grain toaster waffle topped with PB, or topped with fruit and served with milk or nuts or something else for fat and protein
Smoothie with yogurt, fruit, etc. My kids have their with a scoop of vegan protein powder and powdered greens, almond milk, ice and frozen berries. They love it!
Rolled up deli meat (turkey, ham) and cheese cubes

I guess I don't see how this is any different from a school day, where presumably she is also expected to eat a healthy breakfast and get out the door on-time?

Don't use summer and camp as an excuse to start her day with low-quality food. Sugary cereals can be OK sometimes as a snack, but to start the day with? Choose the better food that her body needs.

R.

You are only causing more problems for yourself. You are creating a monster. She "inhales" them because it's a 'no-no" for her. It's forbidden fruit. When she is over at friends house? She won't know self-control because you keep her from it.

**I** eat Lucky Charms, Cap'n Crunch, Frosted Mini-Wheats, Fruit Loops, Trix, Peanut Butter Crunch, Cocoa Pebbles, Fruity Pebbles, Frosted Flakes (YUMMY!!!) and much more!! And oh yeah - my kids do too!! We have cereal, toast, milk and fruit.

I don't see what your problem is for cereal. It gives her energy to start her day and IF she learns moderation and HOW to accompany that meal with something more substantial - like toast and a piece of fruit? You are helping her learn about a BALANCED diet and moderation.

Do you REALLY want to battle over food? The more you say NO to it? She will "inhale" it ANY chance she gets. You really need to take a step back and let her have some control over her food intake. You will find that she will NOT inhale it as much when she can have it. She will learn moderation and if you show her toast, fruit, etc? she will learn to have a balanced diet. You can still be a role model and allow her things that she wants that aren't "perfect" and she will learn and grow....

my kids ask for pancakes, waffles, scrambled eggs, etc. if you want her to eat these as well? Stop fighting her over cereal.

I let my last 2 kids kids have surgary cereals during the summer. I did not let my first born, followed all the dietary rules sort of mom here, have those.

I bent the rules realizing that life's too short and there are more important battles and kids need to experience a Twinkie and a Ding Dong and chocolate bars and ice cream or it becomes the 'forbidden fruit.'

IF you haven't allowed them for breakfast thus far, I wouldn't begin the habit now.. sugary cereal, in my opinion can be a hard habit to break.. Also, while she is eating something, it's not necessarily quality... IF cereal is a must, there are ones that have much less sugar.. Also, would she go for something else like a homemade fresh fruit smoothie (you can also sneak spinach in it)... what about a little vanilla greek yogurt with sprinkles of a non-sugary granola for crunch... fresh fruit is also good.. I think if you make the food look appetizing, which you can do with a yogurt parfait, she might go for it..

good luck

About twice a year as a treat I let my kids get a box of sugary cereal. Between them and my husband (who loves the stuff) it does not last long. I would not do it year 'round, but if you do it for once in a blue moon it's really no big deal.

I give my kid fruit, chicken nuggets or 1/2 a chicken pattie, and a scoop of his favorite cereal. Protein & Carb mix. Best combo for energy :)

Do the cereal, and if your kid likes cheese sticks or something like that.

I don't think it's a problem to do it once in awhile, just don't let her have it every day. Also, don't tell her you're giving it to her in order to make her eat faster, otherwise, she'll use that as an excuse to get it more often. Just tell her it's a special treat for her first day of camp. You'll have to come up with something else to get her ready on time after tomorrow though.
Can you give her something healthy with it? A banana or strawberries? Some kind of protein?

I always like to make sure my kids get fruit and a protein (usually either sausage or yogurt) in the morning, along with some kind of carb (toast, bagel, muffin, waffles, etc). I think it helps them to stay full longer and it's healthier than only having 1-2 food groups.

Hmmm. I wouldn't do it because I don't really want my kid having sugar cereals a lot, but it does happen. My usual rule is the kids have to eat a bowl of regular cereal first and if still hungry they get a bowl of sugar cereal. We don't keep sugar cereal on hand regularly so this only applies to those few times a year we do have it. And in my opinion I see very little difference between sugar cereal or a donut for breakfast, they are pretty much the same, but I'm guessing fresh/local donuts have fewer preservatives. Just saying.

But, I get where you are coming from, it's hard. If you do decide to do it then I'd make her eat some sort of fruit before she eats her cereal like half an apple, a banana, a small orange or something.

They are chock full of vitamins and nutrients. They aren't that bad. Too bad she can't have them more.

There are better choices for breakfast cereals without the dyes that turn your poop turquoise in a day or two...lol. We have frosted shredded wheat, frosted flakes, rice chex, etc...kids like cereal and they'll eat it.

By the way, if YOU don't want her to eat cereal for breakfast....then WHO has to get up on time and fix her a regular breakfast? You do, it falls on YOU to make this choice. Either get up early and fix her food or let her have some cereal.

We ate cereal nearly every morning in my child care center. It was easy and I didn't have to keep it warm. The kids loved it and we ate normal food the rest of the day. A mid morning snack, lunch 11:30am then snack around 2:30-3pm and they go home to dinner. Those who came late and stayed almost all night had lunch, snack, dinner around 6:30 since all the daytime kids had to be gone, then an evening snack around 8-8:30pm then off to bed.

Life is short. Eat a Fruit Loops!

I do the same as someone below - I mix cereals to cut down on the sugar. Regular and fruity cheerios, regular and cinnamon life, frosted and regular rice crispies, etc.

We don't eat sugary stuff in the mornings and rarely eat cereal. I have never said they cant have it they just choose to not eat it.

Once that sugar wears off she is going to crash. I have always felt the heat makes that feeling worse. Plus they are also filled with artificial colors, flavors, and dyes.

Why not boil some eggs for her (on a Sunday) so that she can just peel and eat. Whole grain waffles that can go right into the toaster. Or some chicken and fruit.

We tend to do whole grain with fiber, just to keep them full. I'm not a huge health nut, but I'm trying to get them through the morning without them crashing. The fiber keeps their blood sugar levels even too.

So I'd look for whole grain first, then fiber content, and then I just make sure the sugar is not too high.

I know people who mix half and half with a whole grain cereal and some sugary stuff with it just so the kids are getting some fiber.

I do sugary cereals at sleepovers, and that kind of thing.

I pick my battles. I probably wouldn't do sugary cereal before camp (where they'd be active) but ... we've all been there. Whatever works some days :)

there's nothing wrong with a bowl of sugary cereal for breakfast if you also give her some fruit and toast with it. (especially if you put some peanut butter on the toast) If she is actually getting some real protein and fruit the cereal is not going to hurt.

For what its worth my kids had fruit loops regularly growing up. Not one of them turned into big fat sugar addicted couch potatoes.

Cheerios go great in a zip lock baggie in the car. I do that with my 8 year old sometimes if he's moving slowly in the morning.

I try not to do sugary cereals. I know, sugar is everywhere, and there are good things and bad things in most everything we eat - but it irks me that cereals so OBVIOUSLY play to kids so just on principle I don't buy them. To me the whole cereal industry just acts as though parents are stupid slaves to their kids every whim. It annoys me to be treated like I'm dumb.

For a special treat, if they're on sale I will do the flavored Cheerios, I'm not thrilled about it but at least I know it starts with a good base.

Granola bars work good in this case too, with an apple or banana and some milk. Again, though, watch the sugar. Even fruit can put them over their daily limit if we don't watch it.

My mother was really strict about this type of thing. She would have us use half and half, half unsweetened with half, sugary cereal.

This is IF we were allowed sugary cereal.

The "unsugared" was Cheerios, Chex, or Flakes of some sort.

The other rule was the sugary cereal had to be on sale AND a coupon....! That is a story in its own, for another time.

It's not something we do on a usual basis - but every once in a great while.
Usually our son will eat Wheaties or a fiber cereal (just milk, no sugar added - we never started him on that adding sugar habit).
But sometimes he'll have some frosted mini wheats (Grandma sends them sometimes).
Since it's not an all the time thing - it's fine!

My children are allowed to choose a special cereal on their birthday and at Christmas. It was my nine year old's birthday yesterday and he chose Froot Loops. My seven year old decided he didn't like them and went back to his plain weet-bix and yoghurt.

I think it's OK, but no way as an everyday thing.

I do not like the potential of the allergy you can getof the colors that are in it.
Red 40, blue 2, etc.
We eat cold oats every morningwith some fruit or raisins in it. Sometimes with chocolate flakes. My kids love Seitenbacher muesli Nr.5

Meh.
I'd rather my kid eat a bowl of Froot Loops and milk than a doughnut or a bagel (empty carbs and sugar and calories).

What I do is mix a sugary cereal with a healthy cereal (about 1:2 ratio) that is about the same size and density. So instead of fruit loops, I would mix Fruity Cheerios and regular Cheerios. The kids don't miss the extra sugar and I feel better that they aren't starting the morning with a sugar crash.

Cascadian farms has something similar to fruit loops with less sugar and sans the food dye. I think it's called fruit Os. I wouldn't change now like AL said. Banana slices with PB is sweet contain protuen without all the bad.

Get her up earlier? My kids love breakfast tacos. Scratch pancakes are easy and contain little sugar with a side of eggs or bacon.

of course it's ok. moms know summer can get exhausting. if kids are at home, you got 3 meals to plan for the day. if they go to camp, you have to get out of the door early. do what you must.

I'd make them a treat as a special occasion and say she needs to eat an egg too. I think to help on a first day is fine but make it clear they're a special treat and she needs some protein too. Lots of us did eat that stuff though my mom didn't let us often but now we know sugar gives you a quick high and then a crash. That always bothers me and I try to explain it to my kids so they understand it's not just the empty calories that are the problem. The sugar messes with your energy levels.

I would not start this , mainly because your husband is so in favor of it that you won't be able to switch back to forbidding it and now that you have done it they will both be on you to make it a standard thing.

What I would suggest is telling her if she can't get up and out the door that she needs an earlier bedtime.

I wouldn't guarantee that if you pack her a healthy lunch that she would actually eat that...and camp may provide her with sugary snacks later in the day too...so feeding her good stuff in the morning is pretty important.

Updated

I would not start this , mainly because your husband is so in favor of it that you won't be able to switch back so forbidding it and now that you have done it they will both be on you to make it a standard thing.

What I would suggest is telling her if she can't get up and out the door that she needs an earlier bedtime.

I wouldn't guarantee that if you pack her a healthy lunch that she would actually eat that...and camp may provide her with sugary snacks later in the day too...so feeding her good stuff in the morning is pretty important.

Updated

I would not start this , mainly because your husband is so in favor of it that you won't be able to switch back so forbidding it and now that you have done it they will both be on you to make it a standard thing.

What I would suggest is telling her if she can't get up and out the door that she needs an earlier bedtime.

I wouldn't guarantee that if you pack her a healthy lunch that she would actually eat that...and camp may provide her with sugary snacks later in the day too...so feeding her good stuff in the morning is pretty important.

Updated

I would not start this , mainly because your husband is so in favor of it that you won't be able to switch back so forbidding it and now that you have done it they will both be on you to make it a standard thing.

What I would suggest is telling her if she can't get up and out the door that she needs an earlier bedtime.

I wouldn't guarantee that if you pack her a healthy lunch that she would actually eat that...and camp may provide her with sugary snacks later in the day too...so feeding her good stuff in the morning is pretty important.

I would want her to have some protein so she stays full until lunch. I would probably make eggs and give her a baggy of cereal as a treat for in the car if she is ready on time..

Why not just give her a bowl of granulated sugar? It would be cheaper than the Fruit Loops and would give her as much nutrition.

I would let her eat them. In the scheme of things that's not a biggie.

My kids do have Apply Jacks or Froot Loops--I get it on sale or not at all. They also eat Cheerios, RIce Krispies, Honey Bunches of Oats, Raisin Bran and RB Crunch. I balance it against all the sugar they take in rather than ban them overall.

My husband never got sugar or dessert when he was young growing up. Now I swear he eats a bag of candy every single day. I hate it. It's like now that he's old enough to have it he can't regulate it on his own. So yes, I would let her have a bowl of cereal but also give her some nuts or something with protein she can eat with it. Even if it's a snack a couple hours later. Good luck.

I like Ena S.'s Suggestion about the baggy for the car. Have her eat a healthy breakfast and her "dessert" and reward could be the baggy of fruit loops.

We don't do much sugary cereal here. Once in a while we get my son Cinnamon Toast Crunch but he always gets a protein and fruit with it. I grew up on breakfasts that always had about 4 different things, like pancakes, sausage, fruit and milk so I never had that mid morning crash. Just kept it up with my son.

My guess is that she's probably crashing about 2 hrs later because of the sugar, and then she's hungry.
If she likes sweet, why not try something like a protein bar or shake? You can make your own easily and throw some chocolate in there so she likes it.
Check out Pinterest. Super easy, and really yummy even for adults. And then it's something good for her that will actually keep her full.

I would add whole wheat toast with peanut butter to the cereal. The toast will keep her filled longer. Cereal by itself isn't very filling.

On a normal day, I'd say no. Your husband is right though, most of us were raised on it. I usually make my kids a healthy breakfast BUT there are days that I let it slide. Like most things in life, I believe in moderation. The 80/20 rule. I think if they eat good 80% of the time, you're doing good.

I do the same thing as Laurie A's mom.

Let her eat them. It will get something in her stomach and make your "going to camp" mornings more pleasant.

Pack her a substantial lunch filled with healthier items.

Best,
T. Y

Could you find a good/quick protein item to go with the fruit loops? Eggs have been my go-to item (read my last post for entertainment). Peanut butter on apple slices is another popular item in my house.

I also ate this stuff as a kid too. I wonder if she is not used to it if there will be a 'shock' to her system?

The carb count is important. Honey Nut Cheerios has 44 grams of carbohydrates in 1.5 cups and Fruit Loops has 39 grams in 1.5 cups.

She inhales them because she can't have them often enough. This is going to backfire on you in the future when you no longer have a say on what she eats.

My husband and his sisters have terrible eating habits due to being forbidden to have sugar. I do not forbid my kids to have any type of sweets. They eat the healthiest out of any of their friends and I credit it to me not forbidding them to have sugar. IMO you should let her have froot loops so often that she gets sick of them....that's how it worked in my house.

For the most part it is okay. I never liked any of the healthy cereals my mom bought, therefore, I didn't eat them.

Can you serve the cereal with a little bit of your healthy cereal mixed in there? Maybe add some plain chererios and a side of fruit

If it's really important to get her out the door and you know this will work, I would do it, but make sure that she understands that this is a one time thing. My philosophy is...everything in moderation. I think sugary cereals once in a blue moon won't do any long lasting damage.

The sugariest cereal we allow our DD to eat is Honey Nut Cheerios. She has it for breakfast sometimes, but not often. When a sugar rush hits her, it's a little insane. We don't want to unleash that on a teacher or camp counselor!! She does a lot better if she has some protein for breakfast.

I wouldn't do it every morning but I see no problem with it once in a while. On the mornings she has it, just make sure she also gets a banana or something to help fill her up since cereal doesn't last long in the stomach.