Breakfast

    Fortification it’s all about defences!

    The word ‘fortification’ means ‘a defensive wall or other reinforcement built to strengthen a place against attack’ – so what has that got to do with cereals? Well, when cereals are ‘fortified’, it means they contain added vitamins and minerals to help our brains work well, our bones grow, and to maintain the body’s defences.

    Why fortify?

    Foods have been fortified since the 1920s, when extra nutrients were added to help make up for vitamins and minerals lacking in people’s diets. These days, if we have a balanced diet, it’s easier to reach recommended nutrient intakes, and your morning bowl of cereal can help your family get what they need. In fact, research shows that children and adults who eat fortified breakfast cereals are more likely to get the vitamins and minerals they need in a day.[1]

    What’s in the box?

    Crunchy, yummy and made with whole grain, most Nestlé breakfast cereals are fortified with 5 vitamins and 2 minerals, including riboflavin, niacin, B6, folic acid, pantothenic acid, iron, calcium and, sometimes, vitamin D. Take a look at the chart below to find out what they do for your body.

    Did you know?

    One 30 gram serving of a Nestlé cereal typically provides at least 15% of the recommended Nutrient Reference Value of each micronutrient listed in the Vitamins & Minerals table on the back of pack/on the pack. This means a morning bowl of cereal can help your family get the vitamins and minerals they need every day.

    Essential vitamins and marvellous minerals

     

    Help release energyRiboflavin (B2)Niacin (B3)Pantothenic Acid (B5)Pyridoxine (B6)Calcium (Ca)Iron (Fe)
    Contribute to a healthy skinRiboflavin (B2)Niacin (B3)
    Help the nervous system work properlyRiboflavin (B2)Niacin (B3)Pyridoxine (B6)Calcium (Ca)
    Contribute to healthy bloodPyridoxine (B6)Folic Acid (B9)Iron (Fe)Riboflavin (B2)
    Essential to normal cell divisionFolic Acid (B9)Vitamin DCalcium (Ca)Iron (Fe)
    Keep the immune system working properlyPyridoxine (B6)Folic Acid (B9)Iron (Fe)Vitamin D
    Contribute to healthy bones and teethCalcium (Ca)Vitamin DIron (Fe)
    Help reduce tirednessRiboflavin (B2)Niacin (B3)Pantothenic Acid (B5)Pyridoxine (B6)Iron (Fe)Folic acid (B9)
    Contributes to cognitive developmentIron (Fe)

    Enjoy as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle

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    Footnotes

    1. • Hannon E, Kiely M, Flynn A (2007) The impact of voluntary fortification of foods on micronutrient intakes in Irish adults. Br J Nutr. 97(06):1177-86. • INCA2 (2008) French National Dietary Survey. • Albertson AM, Thompson D, Franko DL, et al (2008) Consumption of breakfast cereal is associated with positive health outcomes: evidence from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study. Nutr Res. 28(11):744-52.

    Footnotes

    1. ^ • Hannon E, Kiely M, Flynn A (2007) The impact of voluntary fortification of foods on micronutrient intakes in Irish adults. Br J Nutr. 97(06):1177-86. • INCA2 (2008) French National Dietary Survey. • Albertson AM, Thompson D, Franko DL, et al (2008) Consumption of breakfast cereal is associated with positive health outcomes: evidence from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study. Nutr Res. 28(11):744-52.

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    How can I find foods made with whole grain?

    Two things to remember: • Look for food labels where the word 'whole' appears in front of the name of the grain, like “whole wheat” or “wholemeal bread”. • For foods with more than one ingredient, make sure whole grain is listed towards the top of the ingredients list. The further up the list it is, the more whole grain has been used in the recipe. And look out for the percentage of whole grain. You should find this in the ingredients list too.

    What’s the difference between a whole grain and a refined grain?

    A ‘whole’ grain has more nutrients than a ‘refined’ grain, because all parts of the grain are retained – kernel, bran, endosperm and germ – along with their fibre, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. But most of the bran and germ are removed when producing refined grains. Whole grains therefore contain more nutrients than refined grains.

    What is gluten?

    The general name for proteins found in cereal grains such as wheat. It holds the food together, like a ‘glue’, and gives dough its elasticity.

    How much whole grain do I need to eat every day?

    Keep it simple: make grains the base of your diet and choose whole grains over refined grains wherever possible. U.S Dietary Guidelines recommend eating 3 servings (48g) a day. So, whenever you look for breakfast cereals, bread, pasta, rice or flour to cook at home, look for the word “whole”, ideally among the first ingredients in the list.

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