As such, eating fortified foods may help (9, 10, 11). © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. There are various sources of iron which can help the body to function properly. The amount varies in accordance to the age and gender of the individual. The amount of iron you need depends on your gender. Discover foods…, On the cereal diet, you replace two meals per day with cereal and milk. For a nutritious breakfast, you’re better off eating whole, unprocessed foods like eggs or oatmeal. You may wonder whether fortified cereals are healthy, as many boast impressive health claims on their packaging. Polyphenols and phytates are natural chemicals found in foods like tea, coffee and whole grains, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Benefits and Uses. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. While some are made with whole grains and high in fiber and protein, others contain almost no nutrients. While fortification can enhance nutrient content, cereal is still a processed food and isn’t necessarily healthy.

Melodie Anne Coffman specializes in overall wellness, with particular interests in women's health and personal defense. Breakfast can be both good and bad, depending on what you choose to eat. In most of the cases, the breakfast cereals are supplemented with iron at the time of processing. Look for types with fewer than 6 grams of sugar and at least 3 grams of fiber per serving.

But is cereal healthy for us or our kids? As the same size serving of an unfortified wheat cereal meets only 10% of the DV, much of breakfast cereals’ iron content may be due to fortification (2). Since many cereals lack protein, include a protein source to create a more satisfying, balanced meal. For example, 1 cup (40 grams) of fortified Total cereal boasts 40 mg of iron — 100% of the Daily Value (DV) (1). Consider adding Greek yogurt, nuts, or peanut butter. Even though some cereals may offer up to 100 percent of the daily value, it doesn’t mean that your body absorbs it all. You can tell if a cereal is fortified because the added nutrients will be specified on the packaging. The remaining cereals are also rich in iron content. For instance, 1 cup (53 grams) of Raisin Bran Crunch packs 13 grams of added sugar. Fortified milk is widely used to help people get nutrients that their diets may otherwise lack. Research suggests that diets high in added sugar raise your risk of heart disease (26, 27). Total breakfast cereal is poured into a beaker, water is added along with a magnetic stir bar, and the mixture is stirred for about 30 to 45 minutes on a magnetic stirrer.

Iron is one of the essential minerals that play a crucial role in proper functioning of the body. Some people, such as young children, vegetarians, and pregnant or breastfeeding women, may benefit particularly from fortified cereals due to their increased nutrient needs (10, 13). Such misleading claims may lead people to overeat foods that aren’t healthy. about 8 mg per 100 g serving size. Breakfast cereals are commonly fortified with the following nutrients (4, 5): Fortified cereals contain added vitamins and minerals to help improve nutrient intake. In short, iron is crucial for the formation of red blood cells and normal blood circulation. 6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603.

What Is Fortified Milk?