Sugar

    The sweet truth about cereal and sugar

    Brown or white, granulated or castor, in cubes or sachets, sugar’s been around since Christopher Columbus brought a bit of sugar cane back from the Canary Islands (there’s a fact that could impress the rest of the family!). It’s one of the ingredients in many foods, including breakfast cereals.

    Sugar intake in breakfast examples

    What is sugar's role?

    Sugar preserves, gives a texture, a nice golden colour and, of course, a sweeter flavour. Cereal is made mostly from grain, which can make it a good source of fibre, vitamins and minerals. So sugar is merely its partner (or maybe we should say sweetheart?).

     

    Sweet fact

    The World Health Organisation recommends a maximum of 10 teaspoons of added sugars a day for children and 12 for adults. The good news is that many cereals contain two teaspoons or fewer of added sugars per serving.

    Did you

    know?

    Oh mummy!

    Egyptians used to bury mummies with necklaces made from barley, and in 1324 King Edward II of England set the standard for the measurement - making the ‘inch’ equal to ‘three grains of barley, dry and round, placed end-to-end lengthwise’.

    Rice in disguise

    Wild rice isn’t really rice at all – it’s the seed of an aquatic grass originally grown by Native American tribes. It has a strong flavour and is quite expensive so it’s usually mixed with other types of rice.

    Just how sweet?

    Sugars from breakfast cereals make up around 5% of the average daily intake of added sugars for adults (8% for children ).[1] And studies show that children who eat pre-sweetened breakfast cereal show no difference in their overall daily intake of sugars compared to those who don’t.[2]

    So there you have it – the sweet truth about breakfast cereal and sugar. Now all you have to do is enjoy it!

    Nestlé cereals: they just get better for you

    Nestlé knows that a healty breakfast is important. Let us show you how we improve our recipes to provide you with a nutritious breakfast!

    Read moreNestlé cereals: they just get better for you

    Footnotes

    1. Bates B et al (2014) UK National Diet & Nutrition Survey. Results from Years 1, 2, 3 and 4 (combined) of the Rolling Programme (2008/2009 – 2011/2012). London: Public Health England
    2. Albertson AM, Thompson DR, Franko DL et al (2011) Weight indicators and nutrient intake in children and adolescents do not vary by sugar content in ready-to-eat cereal: results from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2006. Nutr Res. Mar;31(3):229-36. • Bachman JL, Reedy J, Subar AF et al (2008) Sources of food group intakes among the U.S. population, 2001-2002. J Am Diet Assoc.;108(5):804-14. • INCA2 (2008) French National Dietary Survey.

    Also Interesting

    Break out the breakfast cereal – it’s too good not to!

     A balanced breakfast is important - it gives you the nutrients needed to face the day. Find out more about what makes a balanced breakfast Read the full article Break out the breakfast cereal – it’s too good not to!

    Ever wondered how we select our ingredients?

     Nestlé wants to make sure that their cereals taste great and are sourced in the best way possible. Find out more about the ingredients & quality here Read the full article Ever wondered how we select our ingredients?
    six kids laying on the green grass and giving thumbs up

    A whole lot of fun whole grain facts

     Whole grain can play an important role in your daily intake of nutrients. Nestlé has a few fun facts about whole grain which you may not be aware of! Read the full article A whole lot of fun whole grain facts

    Footnotes

    1. ^ Bates B et al (2014) UK National Diet & Nutrition Survey. Results from Years 1, 2, 3 and 4 (combined) of the Rolling Programme (2008/2009 – 2011/2012). London: Public Health England
    2. ^ Albertson AM, Thompson DR, Franko DL et al (2011) Weight indicators and nutrient intake in children and adolescents do not vary by sugar content in ready-to-eat cereal: results from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2006. Nutr Res. Mar;31(3):229-36. • Bachman JL, Reedy J, Subar AF et al (2008) Sources of food group intakes among the U.S. population, 2001-2002. J Am Diet Assoc.;108(5):804-14. • INCA2 (2008) French National Dietary Survey.

    Let'stalk

    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 are committed to continuously improve the nutritional profile of our cereals. . Achieving consistency in 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 for the percentage of whole grain. You should find this in the ingredients list too.

    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.