It's no surprise that breakfast cereals have been criticized for their extra sugar. Adding marshmallows and chocolate shavings is enough to worry about.
The Cheerios diet suggests 1-2 cups in the morning, 3/4 cup before lunch, and 3/4 cup as an afternoon snack. Lunch and dinner should be balanced to complete the eating plan.
The General Mills Original Cheerios packaging claims, "Can help lower cholesterol as part of a heart-healthy diet," but are they healthy? Original Cheerios contain whole-grain oats, corn starch, sugar, and salt.
Nutritionist and author Lisa Richards (via SheFinds) says "Most cereals, even those marketed as healthy, can be damaging to your weight loss goals."
Cheerios may be the worst, especially if you get most of your nutrients from it. "When it comes to Cheerios' unique weight loss benefits, it is lacking in nutrients that aid weight loss and rich in added sugar," Richards said.
If you eat it as part of a balanced diet, Original Cheerios (not Honey Nut, Chocolate, Apple Cinnamon, or Frosted) are healthier than most cereals. The plain Cheerios outperform the sweetened Multigrain and Ancient Grains.
Despite its full grain oats, vitamins, and minerals, Cheerios is processed food. According to board-certified family physician Dr. Ken Berry, even the vitamins are synthetic, so you're better off getting critical nutrients and vitamins from lean protein, leafy greens, and whole-grain rice or rolled oats.
If you love plain Cheerios occasionally, you can add protein and fiber from whole nuts, seeds, and fresh fruit and low-fat milk for breakfast. You shouldn't believe that you can eat Cheerios three times a day with two other meals and lose weight. Your calorie deficit won't work. You won't obtain weight-loss nutrients either.