September Discussion Question 1
What factors of whole grain ready-to-eat cereals do you personally feel make them a good meal replacement option for weight loss/management?
Do you think you will encourage ready-to-eat cereal consumption in your dietetic practice for weight loss/management?
posted by Anonymous @ 7:07 PM
14 comments
14 Comments:
I think High fiber cereals are effective for weight loss and maintenance for several reasons. First off, they are filling and not all calorie dense. Cereals are also quick for meal replacement, fortified with extra vitamins and minerals and with the addition of milk, provide protein and a small bit of fat to prolong hunger. However, I am not a fan of some granola based cereals for wt. loss as most people are not cognizant of the caloric density (small portion size) of these cereals, nor am I a proponent of sweetened cereals. I think as a practitioner, I would only recommend cereal for clients who were educated about appropriate choices for cereals and were prone to hunger pangs throughout the day or who are at risk for malnourishment when on a hypocaloric diet. N.M.
Nutritional factors that provide a high quality meal replacement include many vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytochemicals, lignan, and dietary fiber. Individuals may practice easy portion control using ready-to-eat cereals, and they provide greater satiety. In addition, the budget and time friendly aspect of ready-to-eat cereal provides another important factor when trying to lose or manage one’s weight.
If a client is interested losing weight, it is essential for dietitians to show them different roads that can be taken to reach their goal. Every client is different, so we must tailor weight loss education differently. Based on the current research, if the client believes s/he would find success in consuming ready-to-eat cereal as part of their weight loss plan, it is our job to provide them with the benefits and risks of doing so.
Nisa, I agree with you about all the nutrients found in cereals especially since they are fortified with so many. Any time we can get Americans to drink more milk I think we should. I think that the high caloric density point about granola is important to point out.
Breine,
Good idea pointing out the fact that these ready to eat cereals can easily fit into any budget (especially when you watch the sales). Yeah it sure is important to determine how much interest someone has in including cereals as a meal replacement. Some people don't like cereal enough to have it everyday.
There are many things that make RTEC a good option for breakfast or a meal replacement. They are high in fiber, low in fat, have Folate, Vitamin B-6, iron and many vitamins and minerals. This is a good way to get many nutrients in one bowl. In addition, the person is also receiving calcium from the cereal and also calcium from the milk. Also in Song’s research he said that calcium helps to play a role in weight control.
I think I would definitely suggest eating RTEC in the morning for a quick way to receive nutrients and satiety. But I do not think I would recommend replacing two meals a day with cereal for a long period of time. This research does help to prove that people who eat RTEC tend to have more stable weight and consume less fat. It would be important to also talk with clients to see which cereals they are purchasing and give them suggestions on which ones are better choices.
Aside from the more obvious reasons like the plethera of vitamins and minerals RTE cereals have, consuming them "decreases spontaneous food intake." Considering what a portion of Americans are consuming for breakfast, if any, are from fast food joints like McDonalds or maybe eggs and bacon. Not to mention those who do not consume breakfast will then eat calorie dense nutritionally poor snacks later. For this reason, if a client/patient of mine was not consuming breakfast I would immediately recommend RTE cereals, period. Like Bre said, this is something that all Americans have access to, whether they choose to eat it is another story!
Brittany
Very true about replacing two meals a day with cereal. If people do that how in the world would they get in all of the fruits and vegetables? And thanks for reminding us about folate in cereals... gotta have it in the childbearing ages!
Suzie
So true about the quality of breakfast. Cereal is a great alternative to those eating fast food or eggs/bacon. I appreciate your comments about those not eating breakfast eating calorie dense snacks later.
I think that whole grain ready to eat breakfast cereals are a good meal replacement option because they are high in fiber and contain viatamins, minerals antioxidants and phytochemicals that may othewise be absent in a hypocaloric diet. Cereal is a quick and easy meal which is benefical for clients who do not cook. Whole grain cereals have been shown to help with sateity which is benefical for clients following a hypocaloric diet. Personally, I think I would promote whole grain cereals as a breakfast option rather than a meal replacement.
I agree that the factors of RTECs being high in fiber, low in fat, containing several vitamins/minerals, and supplying a good source of protein from the milk can deem them a healthful food and suitable for meal replacement.
In fact, breakfast cereals have their root in the temperance movement in the US in the last quarter of the 19th century. Americans were still eating an English breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, and beef, with very little fiber. As such, many people suffered painful and debilitating gastrointestinal disorders. The first breakfast cereal, Granula (named after granules), was invented in 1863 by James Caleb Jackson, who was a steadfast vegetarian.
So, right off the bat, cereal was aimed to be a health food. It has, of course, evolved much over the years and comes in so many varieties it has its own aisle in the grocery store. This can make knowing which cereals make good meal replacements difficult to discern for the client. I would educate the patient on guidelines for the most healthful choices. I also believe there are a few decent RTE cereal bars that are on the market now that could be a suitable meal replacement.
I would recommend RTE cereal consumption in practice for weight loss/management. I do, however, think that a person could replace two meals with cereal for an extended period of time and still maintain adequate nutrition guidelines. Getting in enough fruit would be easy by serving it with the cereal. The additional fruit added to the cereal may also help to satiate. If at least two vegetables are eaten with supper and one vegetable serving is eaten as a snack sometime during the day, then the client has eaten two fruit servings and three vegetable servings. This is much more fruits and vegetables than most Americans are currently eating.
Lisa,
I agree, I think the whole grain aspect of the cereals plays a big role in satiety with all that fiber.
Andrea
Your background on cereal is impressive! Thanks for sharing those interesting tidbits about the history of cereal. I appreciate your view that replacing two meals a day with cereal as a weight loss option. I guess you would have to try different cereals to make it work. I know I couldn't live off the Special K diet!
Yes, I think a person that replaced two meals a day would need to really enjoy eating cereal to eat that much of it. It would also be much more probable to sustain this type of diet if the person liked a variety of the most healthful cereals on the market. I think anyone would get bored with Special K after about a couple weeks. Maybe that is why that campaign of there's is a two week stint. Hmmm.
I agree with Breine that is important to explain the benefits and risks of using RTEC as a meal replacement because many people are willing to try something if it is going to give them quick results. Also the chances of someone stays on the diet for a long period of time is maybe not so great because they may get sick of cereals.
Nisa, I agree with your thoughts regarding the lack of positive attributes of small portion-calorie dense or high sugar RTEC. If clients wish to add RTEC as part of their weight loss/maintenance plan, they should be educated on wise choices. The last thing we want is a client who believes s/he is making positive changes, when in reality they are not.
I think we all agree that there are many positive aspects of RTEC. But, we must make sure that clients know what cereals to choose. Overall cereal can be a part of a healthy diet whether or not the goal is to lose weight.
Andrea,
My food science buddy! You are so correct in your thinking about the length of time cereal has been around for so long. Even though, it was not a favorite bakc then either, but we are finding new research to help change a culture-driven society. We can do it!!! Kudo's to you for bring them up.
On the otherhand ladies, I completely agree with all of your statements. All equally relevent.
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