Study: Children's breakfast cereals have become less nutritious and MORE UNHEALTHY over a 13-year period

By ramontomeydw // 2025-05-30

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A 13-year study (2010-2023) found children's cereals have become less healthy, with more than 30 percent increases in fat and sodium and significant drops in protein and fiber per serving.
Experts warn these changes, driven by manufacturers prioritizing taste over nutrition, could worsen childhood obesity and long-term metabolic issues. A single serving now exceeds 45 percent of the AHA’s daily sugar limit for kids.
Aggressive child-targeted marketing (colorful packaging, online ads) pushes sugary cereals, but parents can resist by choosing whole-food alternatives like yogurt, eggs or fruit with whole grains.
Nutritionists highlight that sugary cereals cause energy crashes and hunger spikes, urging balanced breakfasts with protein, fiber and healthy fats for stable energy.
Researchers demand public health interventions to hold manufacturers accountable, while parents are advised to read labels, demand transparency and prioritize nutrient-dense options over processed cereals.

Children's breakfast cereals have become less nutritious and more unhealthy within a span of 13 years, according to a new study. The study published May 21 in JAMA Network Open revealed a troubling decline in the nutritional quality of children's breakfast cereals. It analyzed 1,200 new children's cereals launched between 2010 and 2023, finding that fat and sodium levels increased by more than 30 percent. In contrast, protein and fiber content for these cereals saw a serious decline. The researchers behind the study pointed out that manufacturers increasingly prioritize taste over health. Cereal makers are purportedly loading products with sugar, sodium and unhealthy fats while stripping away essential nutrients – a shift experts warn could fuel childhood obesity and long-term health risks. The study found that fat content in children's cereals jumped from 1.13 grams (g) to 1.51 g per serving, and sodium content increased from 156 milligrams (mg) to 206 mg. Protein content in these cereals dropped from 1.97 g to 1.69 g per serving, while fiber content per serving plummeted from 3.82 g to 2.94 g. The drop in fiber content is troubling given its role in digestion and satiety.

Breakfast betrayal: How kids' cereals are sabotaging their health

The findings highlight a stark contradiction. While ready-to-eat cereals remain a dominant breakfast choice for U.S. children, their nutritional profile has deteriorated significantly. According to the study authors, a single serving of modern children's cereal now exceeds 45 percent of the American Heart Association's daily sugar limit for children. The researchers noted that most new cereal launches involved repackaging or reformulating existing products rather than introducing healthier alternatives. "These trends suggest a potential prioritization of taste over nutritional quality in product development," they wrote. Nutritionist Carrie Lupoli, who wasn't involved in the study, pointed out that its implications extend beyond the breakfast bowl. "When kids start off with a bowl of sugary cereal, it often leads to blood sugar spikes followed by crashes," she explained. "So they are tired, cranky, and hungry an hour later." Lupoli advocates for balanced breakfasts combining protein, fat and carbohydrates such as eggs with whole-grain toast or Greek yogurt with fruit. These, she argued, helps stabilize energy levels and support long-term health. Experts also point to aggressive marketing tactics targeting children online and through colorful packaging, which pressures parents into buying unhealthy options. Yet registered dietitian Sotiria Everett of Stony Brook University emphasizes that caregivers still hold the power to choose better alternatives. (Related: SUGAR BOMB: General Mills set to raffle off 10,000 boxes of "Marshmallow Only" Lucky Charms.) "We think about and make food decisions multiple times a day. And as a parent, you're making that decision for yourself and others," she said. Everett recommends calcium-rich options like yogurt to replace sugar-laden cereals. The study authors called for urgent public health interventions to reverse these trends. As the food industry continues to prioritize profit over children's well-being, advocates urge parents to scrutinize labels, demand transparency and opt for whole-food alternatives. The health of children should never be sacrificed for corporate gain. Visit StopEatingPoison.com for more similar stories. Watch this clip about dangerous levels of heavy metals being detected in various brands of children's breakfast cereals. This video is from the Natural News channel on Brighteon.com.

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Breakfast betrayal: How kids' cereals are sabotaging their health

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