1. Sugary, highly-refined cereals
We all know that children’s cereals in colorful boxes should be avoided due to their terrifyingly high sugar content. But even more dangerous are the breakfast cereals, which are marketed as “healthy” choices but also contain high sugar content.
We actually love breakfast cereals. Cereal is a super quick, easy, wholesome, and nutritious way of filling up in the morning, ready to start the day. But only if they’re made with whole grains and contain no added sugars.
Popular puffed rice, honey-coated nut cereals, and frosted flakes (either big-name brands or supermarket-own brand equivalents) will normally be laden with spoonfuls of sugar.
Aside from the long-term health implications of consuming too much sugar, a sugary start to your day will only sustain energy levels for a very short time. But once this sugary hit has been digested, we’ll be left feeling hungry very quickly and, quite possibly, reaching for another unhealthy choice.
Make sure you check the nutritional values of your cereal and ensure there are no added sugars. Opt for cereals that are made with whole grains and are rich in belly-filling fiber that will help to sustain you until lunchtime.
Choose shredded whole wheat cereals, corn flakes that aren’t coated in sugar, and traditional porridge oats, but avoid microwavable porridge, which can often contain hidden, sugary syrups to add taste.
