Comments on: 4 Reasons I Shouldn't Eat Cereal for Breakfast http://www.johnisfit.com/2008/12/09/4-reasons-i-shouldnt-eat-cereal-for-breakfast/ My Weight Loss Blog Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:15:58 +0000 hourly 1 By: GeorgieGirl http://www.johnisfit.com/2008/12/09/4-reasons-i-shouldnt-eat-cereal-for-breakfast/#comment-4810 GeorgieGirl Thu, 15 Jan 2009 04:30:16 +0000 http://www.johnisfit.com/?p=1074#comment-4810 I hear ya! Cereal is pricey and the bowl of cereal I love most (you can read about it in my post titled: A Bowl Full of Orgnanic Flax Omega-3 and Fiber) is only a 3/4 cup serving! OUCH! You'd think I would be hungry within an hour, but it really does keep me full for awhile. At least until my mid-morning fruit snack. Lately I've been eating a bowl of of instant high fiber oatmeal each day for breakfast. Cinnamon swirl is my favorite. I think the added fiber helps me feel full for a longer period of time. When I was in Oklahoma I couldn't find the oatmeal I usually eat, so I used regular oatmeal and sprinkled flax meal and cinnamon over the top. I couldn't even detect the flax meal was added. I add the flax meal for extra heart healthy fiber and omega 3s. I'm not trying to persuade you into eating a bowl of cereal for breakfast. LOL But it's what is working for me now days. I hear ya! Cereal is pricey and the bowl of cereal I love most (you can read about it in my post titled: A Bowl Full of Orgnanic Flax Omega-3 and Fiber) is only a 3/4 cup serving! OUCH! You'd think I would be hungry within an hour, but it really does keep me full for awhile. At least until my mid-morning fruit snack.

Lately I've been eating a bowl of of instant high fiber oatmeal each day for breakfast. Cinnamon swirl is my favorite. I think the added fiber helps me feel full for a longer period of time. When I was in Oklahoma I couldn't find the oatmeal I usually eat, so I used regular oatmeal and sprinkled flax meal and cinnamon over the top. I couldn't even detect the flax meal was added. I add the flax meal for extra heart healthy fiber and omega 3s.

I'm not trying to persuade you into eating a bowl of cereal for breakfast. LOL But it's what is working for me now days.

]]> By: FitBethlin http://www.johnisfit.com/2008/12/09/4-reasons-i-shouldnt-eat-cereal-for-breakfast/#comment-4696 FitBethlin Fri, 02 Jan 2009 20:44:14 +0000 http://www.johnisfit.com/?p=1074#comment-4696 I have tried and tried to love cereal, but I finally gave up and just decided to embrace my love of american cheese, english muffins, eggs and canadian bacon. (Just realized the eggs are the only part of my breakfast without a nationality.) If I use egg whites, the small sized muffins and low fat cheese, it's healthy and I don't get so hungry. There are Jimmy Dean D-Light sandwiches that are good for days when I'm too lazy to make my own. I do supplement with a single serving packet of oatmeal sometimes, but I really only have it as a mid-morning snack, not an entire meal. Happy New Year! <strong> I think that's an important point - you have to know what works for you. If that is what it takes to satisfy you so that you can get to your next meal then go for it!</strong> I have tried and tried to love cereal, but I finally gave up and just decided to embrace my love of american cheese, english muffins, eggs and canadian bacon. (Just realized the eggs are the only part of my breakfast without a nationality.) If I use egg whites, the small sized muffins and low fat cheese, it's healthy and I don't get so hungry. There are Jimmy Dean D-Light sandwiches that are good for days when I'm too lazy to make my own.

I do supplement with a single serving packet of oatmeal sometimes, but I really only have it as a mid-morning snack, not an entire meal.

Happy New Year!

I think that's an important point – you have to know what works for you. If that is what it takes to satisfy you so that you can get to your next meal then go for it!

]]> By: Rachiel Grant http://www.johnisfit.com/2008/12/09/4-reasons-i-shouldnt-eat-cereal-for-breakfast/#comment-4691 Rachiel Grant Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:45:59 +0000 http://www.johnisfit.com/?p=1074#comment-4691 Cereal is definitely a weakness of mine as well. I still enjoy some of the kids cereal from time to time. I could not agree with you more that cereal just doesn't fill you up. I am hungry about 30 minutes after I finish a bowl. <strong>If you truly enjoy it of course there is nothing wrong with indulging now and I again. And for some people I'm sure it is fine, but for me, and it sounds like you, we need to get something more filling on a regular basis.</strong> Cereal is definitely a weakness of mine as well. I still enjoy some of the kids cereal from time to time. I could not agree with you more that cereal just doesn't fill you up. I am hungry about 30 minutes after I finish a bowl.

If you truly enjoy it of course there is nothing wrong with indulging now and I again. And for some people I'm sure it is fine, but for me, and it sounds like you, we need to get something more filling on a regular basis.

]]> By: Merry Mary http://www.johnisfit.com/2008/12/09/4-reasons-i-shouldnt-eat-cereal-for-breakfast/#comment-4607 Merry Mary Fri, 26 Dec 2008 16:53:06 +0000 http://www.johnisfit.com/?p=1074#comment-4607 I like the previous comment... 'cereal is better than donuts.' Hehe. Sometimes it is just barely better. Cereal is actually my weakness. I LOVE it. Sugary goodness that I have trouble saying no to at breakfast or any other time. I keep rereading this post because I KNOW I shouldn't be eating so much of it. I like the previous comment… 'cereal is better than donuts.' Hehe. Sometimes it is just barely better. Cereal is actually my weakness. I LOVE it. Sugary goodness that I have trouble saying no to at breakfast or any other time. I keep rereading this post because I KNOW I shouldn't be eating so much of it.

]]> By: Wed, Dec 24th – CrossFit Ireland - Forging Elite Fitness http://www.johnisfit.com/2008/12/09/4-reasons-i-shouldnt-eat-cereal-for-breakfast/#comment-4489 Wed, Dec 24th – CrossFit Ireland - Forging Elite Fitness Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:01:50 +0000 http://www.johnisfit.com/?p=1074#comment-4489 [...] For Amy! [...] [...] For Amy! [...]

]]> By: Janet http://www.johnisfit.com/2008/12/09/4-reasons-i-shouldnt-eat-cereal-for-breakfast/#comment-4475 Janet Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:45:05 +0000 http://www.johnisfit.com/?p=1074#comment-4475 Well cereal is better than doughnuts... sometimes I mix oatmeal with some cereal and yogurt on top. Needless to day starting your day with cereal is not the smartest way... Well cereal is better than doughnuts… sometimes I mix oatmeal with some cereal and yogurt on top. Needless to day starting your day with cereal is not the smartest way…

]]> By: Diggin’ Out | Crossfit Watertown, Oakville, CT http://www.johnisfit.com/2008/12/09/4-reasons-i-shouldnt-eat-cereal-for-breakfast/#comment-4337 Diggin’ Out | Crossfit Watertown, Oakville, CT Sat, 20 Dec 2008 17:06:53 +0000 http://www.johnisfit.com/?p=1074#comment-4337 [...] a guy named John with his 4 Reasons I Shouldn’t Eat Cereal for Breakfast. And we can think of even more. Cereal. Just say [...] [...] a guy named John with his 4 Reasons I Shouldn't Eat Cereal for Breakfast. And we can think of even more. Cereal. Just say [...]

]]> By: Keith http://www.johnisfit.com/2008/12/09/4-reasons-i-shouldnt-eat-cereal-for-breakfast/#comment-4126 Keith Sun, 14 Dec 2008 21:14:20 +0000 http://www.johnisfit.com/?p=1074#comment-4126 Cereal can be a useful addition to your weight-reducing eating program, but you are correct in that the sugary sorts need to be avoided. Meals aren't intended to fill you up, they're intended to feed the body the nutrients it needs for a couple hours. 2-3 hours after the cereal, another small meal should be consumed in order to keep the nutrient stream fairly consistent. As for your second and third reasons, I'm right there with you. Good post. Cereal can be a useful addition to your weight-reducing eating program, but you are correct in that the sugary sorts need to be avoided.

Meals aren't intended to fill you up, they're intended to feed the body the nutrients it needs for a couple hours. 2-3 hours after the cereal, another small meal should be consumed in order to keep the nutrient stream fairly consistent.

As for your second and third reasons, I'm right there with you.

Good post.

]]> By: goldsmith http://www.johnisfit.com/2008/12/09/4-reasons-i-shouldnt-eat-cereal-for-breakfast/#comment-4123 goldsmith Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:05:51 +0000 http://www.johnisfit.com/?p=1074#comment-4123 As a postscript to my earlier comment, I should perhaps mention that I, too, am 6ft, 230lbs, male - and it took me months to implement the nutritionist's recommendation. I didn't believe I could subsist on that, and I hated the idea of giving up my glass of OJ for breakfast. Still, it really does work for me - nota bene: in terms of keeping me sated until early afternoon, if need be. This is not a weight loss tip. On the other hand, I haven't gained weight eating this way, either. As a postscript to my earlier comment, I should perhaps mention that I, too, am 6ft, 230lbs, male – and it took me months to implement the nutritionist's recommendation. I didn't believe I could subsist on that, and I hated the idea of giving up my glass of OJ for breakfast. Still, it really does work for me – nota bene: in terms of keeping me sated until early afternoon, if need be. This is not a weight loss tip. On the other hand, I haven't gained weight eating this way, either.

]]> By: Andrew is getting fit http://www.johnisfit.com/2008/12/09/4-reasons-i-shouldnt-eat-cereal-for-breakfast/#comment-4122 Andrew is getting fit Sun, 14 Dec 2008 18:22:08 +0000 http://www.johnisfit.com/?p=1074#comment-4122 I love cereal but very rarely eat it anymore. I'm an oats man now. :) I love cereal but very rarely eat it anymore. I'm an oats man now. :)

]]> By: goldsmith http://www.johnisfit.com/2008/12/09/4-reasons-i-shouldnt-eat-cereal-for-breakfast/#comment-4120 goldsmith Sun, 14 Dec 2008 17:57:45 +0000 http://www.johnisfit.com/?p=1074#comment-4120 John, You are so right about commercial cereals! Apart from the dubious nutritional value and sugar content of many, the other problems are the portion sizes, as you noted, and the amount of milk you need in the bowl. Like you, I am stuck in a job where I have breakfast at 7am, and sometimes have to go til 2pm or later for lunch. The following breakfast helps with that (and even made with WHOLE milk, believe it or not, carries only 8 points on the Weightwatchers points system): Porridge (oatmeal): 1/2 cup rolled oats cooked in one cup of water, with a good pinch of salt (important to bring out the taste in the oats); drizzle of honey, one small cut up banana or 5 almonds on top large cup of coffee (no sugar or sweetener) 1/2 cup of milk into the coffee and on top of the porridge one orange one soft-boiled egg (I use large, organic eggs that don't carry salmonella risks) This breakfast was recommended to me by a professional nutritionist attached to a major teaching hospital. She commended me for eating porridge (oatmeal), but pointed out that my bf was lacking protein, and recommended either an egg or a small tub of low-fat, low-sugar yoghurt. She rated the cholesterol risk of the egg as minimal. John,

You are so right about commercial cereals! Apart from the dubious nutritional value and sugar content of many, the other problems are the portion sizes, as you noted, and the amount of milk you need in the bowl.

Like you, I am stuck in a job where I have breakfast at 7am, and sometimes have to go til 2pm or later for lunch. The following breakfast helps with that (and even made with WHOLE milk, believe it or not, carries only 8 points on the Weightwatchers points system):

Porridge (oatmeal): 1/2 cup rolled oats cooked in one cup of water, with a good pinch of salt (important to bring out the taste in the oats);

drizzle of honey, one small cut up banana or 5 almonds on top

large cup of coffee (no sugar or sweetener)

1/2 cup of milk into the coffee and on top of the porridge

one orange

one soft-boiled egg (I use large, organic eggs that don't carry salmonella risks)

This breakfast was recommended to me by a professional nutritionist attached to a major teaching hospital. She commended me for eating porridge (oatmeal), but pointed out that my bf was lacking protein, and recommended either an egg or a small tub of low-fat, low-sugar yoghurt. She rated the cholesterol risk of the egg as minimal.

]]> By: FitMommy http://www.johnisfit.com/2008/12/09/4-reasons-i-shouldnt-eat-cereal-for-breakfast/#comment-4067 FitMommy Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:41:13 +0000 http://www.johnisfit.com/?p=1074#comment-4067 We don't do cereal in our house unless we are in a hurry. I always make old fashioned oats and egg whites scrambled for everybody. Cereal is stupidly expensive and it is a lot of sugar and crap...If I do, I will add a scoop of vanilla protein powder to the milk and then eat Kashi's autumn wheat. That is really tasty! <strong>I've never heard of oats and egg whites - I'll have to look into that.</strong> We don't do cereal in our house unless we are in a hurry. I always make old fashioned oats and egg whites scrambled for everybody. Cereal is stupidly expensive and it is a lot of sugar and crap…If I do, I will add a scoop of vanilla protein powder to the milk and then eat Kashi's autumn wheat. That is really tasty!

I've never heard of oats and egg whites – I'll have to look into that.

]]> By: LisaNewton http://www.johnisfit.com/2008/12/09/4-reasons-i-shouldnt-eat-cereal-for-breakfast/#comment-4066 LisaNewton Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:23:29 +0000 http://www.johnisfit.com/?p=1074#comment-4066 John, if you're not having cereal this morning, why don't you jump over to Iowa Avenue. You've been tagged..................:) John, if you're not having cereal this morning, why don't you jump over to Iowa Avenue. You've been tagged………………:)

]]> By: Israel http://www.johnisfit.com/2008/12/09/4-reasons-i-shouldnt-eat-cereal-for-breakfast/#comment-4056 Israel Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:51:39 +0000 http://www.johnisfit.com/?p=1074#comment-4056 I used to eat cereal all the time as a kid, and even into my college years. Now I hold back, because as you said, the serving sizes just don't do it for me. I used to eat cereal all the time as a kid, and even into my college years. Now I hold back, because as you said, the serving sizes just don't do it for me.

]]> By: Armen Shirvanian http://www.johnisfit.com/2008/12/09/4-reasons-i-shouldnt-eat-cereal-for-breakfast/#comment-4055 Armen Shirvanian Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:51:44 +0000 http://www.johnisfit.com/?p=1074#comment-4055 I have also noticed that cereal boxes, as well as boxes for other items, are becoming smaller, while the prices are remaining the same. The marketers could spin it, by saying that they are trying to be more reasonable with portion sizes, or something of that nature, but the result is less material being provided for the same cost. Cereal sure does not appear to be filling enough, in comparison with a cooked potato or two. I have also noticed that cereal boxes, as well as boxes for other items, are becoming smaller, while the prices are remaining the same. The marketers could spin it, by saying that they are trying to be more reasonable with portion sizes, or something of that nature, but the result is less material being provided for the same cost. Cereal sure does not appear to be filling enough, in comparison with a cooked potato or two.

]]> By: Ron http://www.johnisfit.com/2008/12/09/4-reasons-i-shouldnt-eat-cereal-for-breakfast/#comment-4051 Ron Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:14:37 +0000 http://www.johnisfit.com/?p=1074#comment-4051 I stay away from it except.... I eat a cup of Kashi GoLean crunch cereal on my FF yougurt every other evening as a snack. I stay away from it except…. I eat a cup of Kashi GoLean
crunch cereal on my FF yougurt every other evening as a snack.

]]> By: Sadie http://www.johnisfit.com/2008/12/09/4-reasons-i-shouldnt-eat-cereal-for-breakfast/#comment-4049 Sadie Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:24:08 +0000 http://www.johnisfit.com/?p=1074#comment-4049 My husband is addicted to Raisin Nut Bran. Every week he buys 2 boxes at the store. Do you know how much that costs? He eats heaping bowls of it with 2% milk and adds a dash of heavy cream on top, and adds his own yogurt covered raisins to it. Then he tells me this is healthy. Well, yeah, compared to eating a Big Mac... *sigh* Every now and then I'll have a small bowl of Special K. I eat it with skim milk and a dash of Splenda. I actually probably eat 1 serving. My stomach has shrunk a lot. I use more than 1 serving of milk, probably, but not the cereal, I would guess. I've never measured it, though. Like you, I don't have the discipline to measure my food. My husband is addicted to Raisin Nut Bran. Every week he buys 2 boxes at the store. Do you know how much that costs? He eats heaping bowls of it with 2% milk and adds a dash of heavy cream on top, and adds his own yogurt covered raisins to it. Then he tells me this is healthy. Well, yeah, compared to eating a Big Mac… *sigh* Every now and then I'll have a small bowl of Special K. I eat it with skim milk and a dash of Splenda. I actually probably eat 1 serving. My stomach has shrunk a lot. I use more than 1 serving of milk, probably, but not the cereal, I would guess. I've never measured it, though. Like you, I don't have the discipline to measure my food.

]]> By: The Southern Gourmet Breakfast | Live Fit Blog http://www.johnisfit.com/2008/12/09/4-reasons-i-shouldnt-eat-cereal-for-breakfast/#comment-4043 The Southern Gourmet Breakfast | Live Fit Blog Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:01:53 +0000 http://www.johnisfit.com/?p=1074#comment-4043 [...] over at his site, John Is Fit recently posted an article on breakfast cereal.  It’s a good post, with a pointed take on the subject of breakfast.  It got me [...] [...] over at his site, John Is Fit recently posted an article on breakfast cereal.  It's a good post, with a pointed take on the subject of breakfast.  It got me [...]

]]> By: Angie http://www.johnisfit.com/2008/12/09/4-reasons-i-shouldnt-eat-cereal-for-breakfast/#comment-4031 Angie Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:01:18 +0000 http://www.johnisfit.com/?p=1074#comment-4031 John, Thank you for the laugh, the information and the trip down memory lane this morning. My siblings and I hardly ever got "good" cereal when we were growing up either. It was Corn Flakes, Cheerios and Rice Krispies in our house. But we could add sugar at will (heck my mom would make us sugar sandwiches for lunch sometimes - can you imagine???). Speaking of my mom, she used to get up with us every morning and pour our breakfast, when I was 18 I finally spoke up and said I could pour my own cereal. Oh and for hot cereal - we had oatmeal but we also had Coco Wheats. Does anyone remember those? Anyway, good information and a great reminder about serving sizes. John,
Thank you for the laugh, the information and the trip down memory lane this morning. My siblings and I hardly ever got "good" cereal when we were growing up either. It was Corn Flakes, Cheerios and Rice Krispies in our house. But we could add sugar at will (heck my mom would make us sugar sandwiches for lunch sometimes – can you imagine???). Speaking of my mom, she used to get up with us every morning and pour our breakfast, when I was 18 I finally spoke up and said I could pour my own cereal. Oh and for hot cereal – we had oatmeal but we also had Coco Wheats. Does anyone remember those? Anyway, good information and a great reminder about serving sizes.

]]> By: Bryan http://www.johnisfit.com/2008/12/09/4-reasons-i-shouldnt-eat-cereal-for-breakfast/#comment-4029 Bryan Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:39:36 +0000 http://www.johnisfit.com/?p=1074#comment-4029 I've got another reason for you: Not only is most cereal bad for you in the morning, all cereal is bad for you at night. I got into a bad, bad habit of having a bowl of cereal at night before going to bed. That breaks so many rules of healthy eating it's not even funny. By the way, great blog. I've got another reason for you:

Not only is most cereal bad for you in the morning, all cereal is bad for you at night.

I got into a bad, bad habit of having a bowl of cereal at night before going to bed. That breaks so many rules of healthy eating it's not even funny.

By the way, great blog.

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