Weight Loss Tip #145 – Have sugar-free cereal for breakfast to lose weight faster

Not many people are aware that what you eat every morning for breakfast can play a major role in losing weight and most importantly, fighting off obesity. If you have a habit of skipping breakfast or eating whatever you can get your hands on in your office canteen or even before rushing off to work, the bad news is that all the hard work you put in while gymming is going to go to waste. These are the common breakfast mistakes that are making you fat.

There’s no doubt that exercising is a great way of losing weight and burning more calories, but if your eating habits are erratic, you will be unhappy with the results that you see. Phrases like ‘Eat breakfast like a king’ or ‘Breakfast is the most important meal of the day’ have become so overused off late, but experts say that eating smart can help you in achieving a slimmer body faster. Here’s which Indian breakfast option is healthier.

One way of eating smart is to have cereal for breakfast at least five days a week to lose weight faster. A study published in the journal Advances in Nutrition in 2014 evaluated several research papers on the benefits of consuming breakfast cereal regularly. Following that, they concluded that ‘regular breakfast cereal consumption is associated with a lower body mass index and less risk of being overweight or obese’ [1].

Other than that, the researchers also say that since people who regularly eat breakfast cereal have higher daily milk intakes, they are also more likely to have better intakes of dietary fibre, B-vitamins, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc [1].

How to select the right breakfast cereal for weight loss

Before you head to your nearest grocery store to buy cereal, it is important to know how to pick the healthiest option available locally. As you are aware, most commercial cereals have very high sugar content and artificial colours and flavouring which might prove to be counter-productive for you.

Carefully read the ingredients and nutrition facts label. Go for whole wheat or whole grain cereal that has a minimum of 5 grams of fibre per serving and not more than 5 grams of sugar. The sodium content should be lower than 240 mg per serving and completely avoid cereals that claim to have ‘real fruits’ like strawberries or mangos in it. They are nothing but artificial flavouring.

Look out for unhealthy ingredients like sucralose, corn syrup and citric acid and instead, go for an organic brand. Here’s all you need to know before buying breakfast cereal. Feel free to add cut fruits and a few dry fruits to add some sweetness naturally and enjoy your cereal.

Reference:

[1] Williams PG. The Benefits of Breakfast Cereal Consumption: A Systematic Review of the Evidence Base. Advances in Nutrition. 2014;5(5):636S-673S. doi:10.3945/an.114.006247.

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