How does your breakfast cereal rate?

We all know that breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day – it provides us with energy, improves concentration and there is some evidence to suggest children’s learning ability improves with a good breakfast.

So what is a good cereal? According to an analysis of fibre, sugar and salt content, by Choice magazine (www.choice.com.au) the following results of our 10 most popular breakfast cereals were found… how did yours go?

GOOD SANITARIUM Weet-Bix, UNCLE TOBYS Flakes Plus (A), UNCLE TOBYS Vita Brits , KELLOGG’S Sultana Bran

BAD KELLOGG’S Nutri-Grain, KELLOGG’S Corn Flakes, KELLOGG’S Coco Pops

OK KELLOGG’S Just Right, KELLOGG’S Special K

Choosing a cereal Kids need less fibre than adults because it can make a small stomach full before it’s had a chance to get enough energy and other nutrients. Too much can also cause children to get stomach upsets and diarrhoea.

Choose a cereal with a moderate to high amount of fibre, low sugar and low salt. As a guide, kids fibre needs are their age plus 5–10 grams per day. For example, a five-year-old should eat 10–15 g a day.