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A Sugar Smack To The Face

Tribune photo by SCOTT ISKOWITZ

A recent Consumer Reports study shows 23 of the top 27 cereals marketed to children rated only Good or Fair for nutrition.

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By MARY SHEDDEN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 30, 2008

Updated: 10/30/2008 02:57 pm

Halloween candy is everywhere, tricking and treating my family to the point we look and feel like sugar goblins.

But before too long, that candy will be gone. And the more ominous and spooky year-round junk food threat remains.

Breakfast cereal.

Those boxes of morning goodness haunt me. In particular, it's the source of countless arguments at home, as I attempt to wean the kids from these convenient but sugar-filled morning meals.

The new issue of Consumer Reports shows that a vast majority of kid cereals today contain an unhealthy amount of sugar. In the report, 23 of the top 27 cereals marketed to children rated only Good or Fair for nutrition.

Two of the cereals had more than 50 percent sugar, and nine had at least 40 percent. One serving of Honey Smacks is no different than a glazed doughnut.

The test looked at how these kiddie cereals rated in terms of sugar, fiber, iron and calcium. The "very good" list includes just four: Cheerios, Kix, Life and Honey Nut Cheerios. Just one of those passes the taste test in my home.

In part, this family conflict is my fault. I opened the barn door years ago by believing that my kids were not going to be deprived. Growing up, I thought Frosted Flakes were a luxury. I was always stuck with corn flakes and raisin bran.

I was determined to let my two explore the wonder of the cereal aisle. It's a childhood pleasure. I did draw the line at cereals that included chocolate, cookies or candy.

But I've grown to regret my sweet tolerance as the kids have grown. When they were little, Apple Jacks and Fruit Loops were seemingly harmless staples. But it's become a problem now that I know they are poor sources of fiber and excessive when it comes to sugar.

In fact, the worst choices, Consumer Reports says, include Apple Jacks, and Fruit Loops, Cap'n Crunch and even Rice Krispies.

The spouse keeps it simple and healthy with Wheaties, Cheerios and corn flakes, and we cycle through these choices time and time again. I hold out hope the kids will like them one day. But the cereals I now buy with healthier intentions grow stale after the kids agree to "try it." Once.

My frustration that they hate better cereals is bigger than my desire to be nutritious. I'm shamelessly cheap and will not buy cereal unless it's tied to a coupon or a buy-one-get-one-free offer. So, I buy these boxes - on sale - and then refuse to get more until the open ones are finished. As a result, the kids stop eating breakfast - something I hate even more.

So, now they grumble while eating bagels, fruit smoothies, taquitos and even roast beef sandwiches as their morning meal. Come to think of it, they're realizing that cereal isn't the only thing they can prepare on their own.

There is hope. My daughter and son have discovered a few options we all seem to like: Frosted Mini-Wheats, Quaker Oatmeal Squares. And Honey Nut Cheerios, that old standby, still fits the bill.

But I'll only buy them when they're on sale.

Want to share your health and fitness idea? Contact me at (813) 259-7365 or mshedden@tampatrib.com

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