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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 for the 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.

a drawing of a little girl wearing cereal boxes and surrounded with bubbles showing different vitamins and minerals

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 D Calcium (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 D 
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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Cereal and milk: a match made in heaven

A bowl of cereal is always well accompanied by milk. Find out just how there can be so many different ways of enjoying your cereal!

READ MORE Read the full article "Cereal and milk: a match made in heaven "

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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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Let'stalk

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We've tried to answer as many of your questions as possible. You can search them all here:

 

Do Nestlé products in emerging countries have more salt than products in developed/developing countries?
For the last 15 years we’ve been working to reduce the sodium (which is the major component of salt) in our breakfast cereals across the world, because we want to keep on making them more nutritious. Achieving consistency on all products, in all countries, takes time - so some may have more sodium than others. Our aim is for all our cereals – globally – to have the same reduced levels of sodium, with a target of less than 135mg per serving in all our children’s products.
What are the health and nutritional benefits of Nestlé Gluten Free Corn Flakes?

As well as being a healthy choice for people who want to reduce the amount of gluten in their diet, or have coeliac disease or a gluten intolerance, Gluten Free Corn Flakes are fortified with B-vitamins, folic acid and iron

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. It’s easy to know if a Nestlé breakfast cereal is made with whole grain: just look out for the Green Banner and whole grain tick on top of the box.
I’ve heard a low GI diet can help me lose weight. Is this true?
It’s too early to say. The science in this area is still emerging. There is evidence that low GI foods take longer to digest and help you feel satisfied for longer, but none that you’ll eat fewer calories at the next meal.
Why does Nestlé label vegetable oil?
Because it’s industry practice to label seasonal oils (oils that aren’t consistently available across the year). In Europe it’s now mandatory to detail the types of vegetable oils used in a food product. So it’s no longer permitted to use the term “vegetable oil” on a label.
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