How healthy are breakfast cereals?

In the Netherlands we still eat breakfast mainly with bread. Topped with cheese, jam or sprinkles, this is the standard start of the day. But more and more often there are also breakfast cereals on the breakfast table. How healthy are they really?
In the Netherlands, we still eat breakfast mainly with bread. Topped with cheese, jam or sprinkles, this is the standard start of the day. But more and more often there are also cereals on the breakfast table. How healthy are they really?

In supermarkets, the shelf with breakfast cereals is getting bigger and bigger. Almost all breakfast cereals are whole grains, and that's a positive. Because whole grains provide you with fiber and many vitamins and minerals. The fiber ensures satiety, so you won't feel hungry again very quickly after a breakfast with whole grains. Moreover, you usually eat them together with dairy. If you also eat some fruit with it, you have a balanced breakfast. Because a healthy breakfast consists of grain products, dairy and fruit. Since there are so many different types of breakfast cereals, let's list them for you.

Breakfast porridge

The most famous breakfast porridge is of course Brinta, but there are more instant grains like this. You sprinkle them in warm or cold milk, stir and you can eat your porridge. Usually it concerns pre-steamed whole grain cereal flakes, without further addition. It is better to leave varieties with added sugar. Look for this on the label with the ingredients. It is better to control the amount of sugar you add.

The cornflakes breakfast came over from the United States. The original variant consists of corn flakes, but there are also other types of grain. The fiber content is low. And sugar is always added, because that is part of the production process of the flakes, so they become crispy. Many packaging contains flakes with added vitamins and minerals. If you eat a healthy and varied diet, you don't need that supplementation of vitamins and minerals through your breakfast.
The cornflakes breakfast came over from the United States. The original variant consists of corn flakes, but there are also other types of grain. The fiber content is low. And sugar is always added because that is part of the production process of the flakes, so they become crispy. Many packaging contains flakes with added vitamins and minerals. If you eat a healthy and varied diet, you don't need that supplementation of vitamins and minerals through your breakfast.

This is a mixture of cereal flakes, nuts, seeds and possibly dried fruit. And this composition makes it a healthy breakfast product, provided no sugar has been added. Look at the labels and choose one without sugar, glucose syrup or any other sugar in the ingredients list.
This is a mixture of cereal flakes, nuts, seeds and possibly dried fruit. And this composition makes it a healthy breakfast product, provided no sugar has been added. Look at the labels and pick one with no sugar, glucose syrup or any other sugar in the ingredients list.

Ever wondered what makes crispy muesli crispy? Crunchy muesli - also called cruesli - is nothing more than muesli mixed with sugar (or honey) and fat. This is then baked so that it becomes nice and crunchy and tastes sweet. The sugar content is therefore also high. There are brands that provide 3 lumps of sugar per serving.
Ever wondered what makes crispy muesli crispy? Crispy muesli - also called cruesli - is nothing more than muesli mixed with sugar (or honey) and fat. This is then baked so that it becomes nice and crunchy and tastes sweet. The sugar content is therefore also high. There are brands that provide 3 lumps of sugar per serving.

Granola is actually nothing more than another - healthier sounding - name for crunchy muesli. For this too, grains, nuts and seeds are mixed with honey or another sweetener and some fat. That is baked. Most granola 's are somewhat lower in sugar than the crunchy muesli'.
Granola is actually nothing more than another - healthier sounding - name for crunchy muesli. Also for this, grains, nuts and seeds are mixed with honey or another sweetener and some fat. That is baked. Most granolas are somewhat lower in sugar than the crispy muesli.

Chocopops, rice krispies, smacks, loops… there are many fantasy names in the whole group of cereals especially for children. Like cornflakes, they are eaten with milk or yogurt. They usually consist of puffed grains (rice, corn, wheat) with a good low sugar and the fiber content is usually low.
Chocopops, rice krispies, smacks, loops… there are many fantasy names in the whole group of cereals especially for children. Like cornflakes, they are eaten with milk or yogurt. They usually consist of puffed grains (rice, corn, wheat) with a good amount of sugar and the fiber content is usually low.