Is breakfast with cornflakes healthy?

1. Many people are not very hungry at breakfast. It is nice to be able to eat something light and easy that still gives a little energy. In many families, cornflakes fill that role very easily. A bowl of cornflakes, a good splash of milk, and you can go on for a while.

1. Not surprising that those cheerful suits appear on the table every morning in many home tables. But are cornflakes really such a healthy breakfast? Or is it more sensible to choose an alternative - and if so, what then? In short: are cornflakes healthy? We'll discuss that question in detail today!

What exactly are cornflakes?

1. Cornflakes are made from corn flour, wheat and oatmeal. That is fried in oil for the crispy texture. Finally, a sweet layer is often added to cornflakes. Thanks to their relatively healthy image, cornflakes are sold a lot.

1. It is therefore not surprising that dozens of different versions have been released. For example, you buy cornflakes with fruit or pieces of chocolate. In addition, there are brands that have also made a whole grain version of the regular cornflakes. So you have plenty of choice with cornflakes,

What does a good breakfast need?

1. But is a good breakfast also a good breakfast? For that we will also have to look at what a healthy breakfast exactly means. What do you need for your first meal of the day? First of all, we recommend eating fiber with your breakfast. They ensure that you stay full for a long time, so that you do not fall over from hunger before lunch.

1. Proteins and healthy fats are also recommended. These provide long-lasting energy, in contrast to fast carbohydrates, which release energy for a shorter period of time. Finally, a breakfast must of course meet other requirements for a healthy meal. That is to say: not too many unhealthy additives, and as many vitamins and minerals as possible.

Macronutrients in cornflakes

1. Let's start with the macronutrients: proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Cornflakes consist mainly of corn, which means that the calories come mainly from carbohydrates. Per 100 grams there are no less than 84 grams of carbohydrates. In addition, cornflakes contain about 3 grams of dietary fiber per 100 grams. Not a lot, considering you want to get in at least 30 grams a day.

1. The proteins and fats are also disappointing. There is about 1 gram of fat in 100 grams of cornflakes, much of which is saturated. Finally, regarding proteins, we find in cornflakes about 7 grams per 100 grams. All told, that gives about 380 calories, depending on the brand.

Micronutrients in Cornflakes

1. What about the vitamins and minerals? In many brands of cornflakes, especially the B vitamins are richly represented. Vitamin D is also present in large quantities in cornflakes. That sounds nice, but there is a small catch. These vitamins do not naturally occur in corn, or at least not in these amounts.

1. So they are artificially added to the cornflakes. This does not make them less effective, but it does mean that many â € naturalâ € ™ additives are missing. Unfortunately you will not find other micronutrients and especially vegetable phytonutrients here either. The cornflakes are simply too much processed for that.

Sugar and salt in cornflakes

1. Then we come to our last point: the added â € taste-makersâ € ™ in cornflakes. As mentioned, the corn flakes are added a sweetish layer during production. That layer consists of either pure sugar syrup or a cheap honey variety - which is practically the same thing. This makes about 8% of the cornflakes just sugar.

1. If the product has an extra flavor, it is often even worse. For example, Kellogg's chocolate cornflakes contain a whopping 21 grams of sugar per 100 grams. The salt is also not very good. About 1 gram per 100 grams does not seem like a lot, but the maximum per day is 6 grams. And everything below is better. Cornflakes still makes a considerable contribution to this.

Are cornflakes healthy?

1. The conclusion from the above points may be clear. Cornflakes may be delicious, but they are certainly not really healthy. They don't provide the nutrients you need to last a whole morning. The large amount of carbohydrates and sugars will probably cause a significant drop in blood sugar after just a few hours.

1. You will be hungry well before lunch. In addition, the breakfast product not so many healthy substances. Good, some vitamins are added. But fiber, protein, and most of the minerals - all incredibly important at the start of the day - are missing.

And â € healthierâ € ™ varieties?

1. But, the real enthusiast will say, there are also healthier varieties, right? Consider, for example, the whole grain products that many brands have brought to the market. Isn't that a much better option? Unfortunately, we cannot really call that cornflakes really healthy. To begin with, it is often very disappointing with that whole grain value.

1. It does contain some whole grain, but it is usually only a few percent. So it remains a sad situation with those fibers. Moreover, the amount of sugar or salt does not usually decrease in these types of products. And the cornflakes are still fried in the same unhealthy oil.

Cornflakes Alternatives

1. So it is better to choose something other than cornflakes if you want a healthy breakfast. A good alternative for many people is oatmeal or Brinta. Then you still have a good dose of carbohydrates, but then it is about slow carbohydrates with fiber. Both options also provide a lot more protein. Moreover, you can add everything to keep varying a lot.

1. Do you especially like milk or yoghurt with something in it? Then try a bowl of cottage cheese with fruit and nuts. Or even make your own granola from nuts and oatmeal. All these options provide more useful nutrients and a lot less junk to your body. That way you'll get through the morning!