Recap On The Kellogg Virtual Breakfast

 

As detailed in this post, last week I had the unique opportunity to be a co-host of a virtual breakfast sponsored by Kellogg on TheMotherhood. With several other mother bloggers, we discussed the new 2010 Dietary Guidelines and the importance of a nutritious breakfast .

This talk featured, Sarah Woodside, registered dietitian for Kellogg and Liz Ward, registered dietitian, author and one of Kellogg’s Breakfast Council members. Through a live video feed (which you can view below) the conversation centered around what nutrients a good breakfast should provide, healthy options on the go breakfasts, and how to implement the new Dietary Guidelines into our menus, specifically when it comes to breakfast.

While a full summary is available here, I would like to provide you with some highlights of the discussion:

1. The importance of fiber was re-emphasized. While I always knew how important fiber was in our diet  learned that The Dietary Guidelines lists fiber as one of the nutrients adults and children aren’t eating enough of. According to Liz Ward, “a new study suggests that eating a high-fiber diet -  particularly fiber that comes from grain foods like breakfast cereals -  just may help you live a longer life.” She indicted that it reduces risk of death from cardiovascular disease. This disease runs in both lines of Mr. Man’s family which hit close to home.
2. Be aware of labels. Watch whole grain claims on the front and as a rule of thumb, check make sure an item has at least 3 grams of fiber per serving.
• I was happy to hear that Kellogg has made the conscious effort to reduce the sugar and increase the fiber content on such cereals as Fruit Loops and Apple Jacks. They indicated these cereals now have 3 grams of fiber per serving. On a side note, when I told Mr. Man this he smiled ear to ear. He is a fan of both of these cereals.
3. The best nutrients in the morning would be a combination of protein, carbohydrates, and a healthy fat. In their (Kellogg’s) opinion an ideal breakfast could be Kellogg Mini Wheats, milk, and fruit.
• Also, think outside the box. It doesn’t have to be what we Americans define as traditional, but make sure it has a protein, carb, and health fat to keep you fuller for longer.
4. An interesting fact I learned was cereal and milk provided 10 key nutrients for those in the United States and cereal ranks most nutritious choices when it comes to snacks.
5. Some totally, and I mean TOTALLY awesome initiatives that Kellogg has been working on include the Kellogg “Fiber Tracker” (tells you how much fiber you should aim to eat each day based on gender and age), meal plans (which can be found here) and recipes.

While I ALWAYS knew that breakfast was the most important meal of the day, this virtual breakfast with Kellogg gave me a new focus. I realized the importance of fiber and why I should make good decisions first thing in the morning. By making small changes, like adding some high fiber cereal to my normal yogurt in the morning, I am not only benefiting my body by refueling it, but I may help to live a longer life. Amen to that!!!!!! No complaints here.

I would like to thank Kellogg and TheMotherhood for this wonderful opportunity. Readers, I hope you got as much out of this talk as I did.

As promised, here is the video of the breakfast that you can view again:

 

This video is provided by TheMotherhood and is the virtual breakfast sponsored by Kellogg.

 

Disclosure: I was compensated by Kellogg and TheMotherhood to write this post