Are Cornflakes For Breakfast Healthy For Your Child?

It’s easy, it’s quick and it requires no prep time! Cornflakes are considered to be a healthy and hassle-free breakfast option, in India and the west.

It’s easy, it’s quick and it requires no prep time! Cornflakes for baby are considered to be a healthy and hassle-free breakfast option, in India and the west. It has taken over our breakfast tables and how, but is it really healthy for your child? Read further to find the answer.

What is the importance of breakfast for children?

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and should be eaten within 1-2 hours of waking up. Breakfast should contain 25 to 30% of the daily nutrient requirements according to nutritionists. Children who are provided with a nutritious breakfast have more energy and are more attentive and focused.

Parents who have a very busy and hectic schedule yearn for an extra 10 minutes of sleep in the morning. The consequence will be either go for packaged foods for breakfast or skip breakfast. Corn flakes for baby are the easiest choice considering the time constraint. With a sugar content much higher than the daily requirement, and other additives, corn flakes for kids may not be a good idea. But what is the easy alternative? Given in this article are some easy Indian breakfast recipes you can choose from to suit your child’s taste buds.

Do cornflakes make a good breakfast for your toddler?

A box of cornflakes contains the following ingredients – corn, sugar, salt, malt flavoring, and high fructose corn syrup. While we believe a bowl of cornflakes provides the requisite vitamins, and adults. Moreover, the low protein content in cornflakes is likely to keep your child from minerals, and fiber, in reality, it has way more added sugar than considered healthy for children feeling full for a longer period. But deciding whether cornflakes for breakfast for your child is good is up to you.

Packaged ready-to-eat products have found a market in urban households where time and convenience are the primary factors for most parents. Processed foods with high levels of sugar come under the category of high glycemic food, thus increasing the chances of diabetes in children. Therefore, it is not surprising that the glycemic index (GI) of corn flakes is very high and stands at 81. Considering this aspect it is recommended to substitute corn flakes for kids with other healthy breakfast cereals

However, not all types of cereal are unhealthy and there are several other nutritious alternatives that your kids will love. When choosing your breakfast cereal for your child, it is important to make sure that they have 100% whole grain as their primary ingredient and no hidden or added sugars. Remember, if you are eating packaged food, it is crucial to read the nutrition label and nutrition facts.

Meanwhile, here’s a list of the top five nutritious and healthy alternatives to cornflakes that the kids will love and are a really healthy breakfast.

• Wheat Bran Flakes: Bran is the hard outer part of a wheat kernel and is considered a whole grain. It is nutrient-dense and is rich in fiber, vitamins, healthy fats, minerals, and antioxidants. Owing to its rich fiber content, it helps children feel fuller for longer .

Dress up their cereal by adding some fresh fruit and nuts to the flakes and voila! Your healthy substitute for cornflakes is ready. Bran flakes with yogurt is another delicious alternative.

• Muesli: Muesli is a great breakfast option as it contains raisins, almonds, and different kinds of seeds and grains. It is rich in fiber and whole grains, which helps maintain gut health and also keeps kids full for longer.

Muesli also contains oat bran, which is a good source of beta-glucan. Studies suggest that beta-glucan helps reduce cholesterol levels by up to 10 percent. However, it is important to pick a brand that does not contain high amounts of added sugars. Muesli can be had with either milk or yogurt. Top it with fresh fruits or honey for a fun and healthy twist.

• Poha: Flattened rice or poha is a popular breakfast item in Indian households and is considered to be one of the healthiest. It is a good source of carbohydrates, iron, and antioxidants. It is rich in fiber, essential vitamins and is also gluten-free.

Although it does not contain any protein, adding peanuts to it when cooked traditionally can make it a protein-rich breakfast option for children.

• Oats: Oats are gluten-free whole grains rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants. Studies show that it contains more fat, fiber and protein than most grains. Oats are also a rich source of beta-glucan, which helps keep the cholesterol in check.

Oats are very versatile and are a great choice for picky-eaters. Sweet or savory, oats can be prepared as per your child’s taste preferences.

• Millets: In India, millets were a staple and were consumed widely before wheat and rice took over. However, they are making a swift and steady comeback to our plates. There are different types of millets and these include bajra or the pearl millet, jowar, and ragi.

They are highly nutritious and are rich in Vitamin B, Calcium, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium, Zinc. Popularly known as ‘nutri-cereal’, millets are gluten-free and have a low glycemic index (GI). Millets can be served to children as porridge, a roti or as whole grains in the form of rice or upma. Millets are amongst the best options when you’re looking for healthy cereal options for your kids.

Comparison of the nutritional fact of cornflakes with other healthy breakfast cereals

The nutritional content in corn flakes Vs other breakfast cereals for a serving of 100 g is given below

Cornflakes are calorie-rich and do contain sufficient level carbs that help to kickstart the day for your child. But the unhealthy aspect is the high sugar content and low protein content. Oats score the highest nutrition-wise as it has very good levels of protein, fibre and carbs.

If your child is a fussy eater, then oats are a good substitute for cornflakes for baby as you can carve out interesting recipes every day to suit your child’s palate.

Quick, easy and healthy breakfast recipes for kids

With the list of breakfast recipes given below, you can do away with the tension of deciding breakfast for your child every morning. For some of the recipes, the preparation can be done the previous night to cut down on the time required for breakfast.

#1. Banana Dosa

This has the goodness of bananas and milk. It is a healthy diversion from the regular dosa and the best and easiest breakfast option for your child.

Ingredients:

Bananas: 3 Nos

Grated jaggery: 1 cup

Cardamom powder: 1/4th tsp

Cashew Nuts: 1 tbsp

Baking soda: ½ tsp

Grated coconut: ½ cup

Wheat flour: 1 cup

Ghee:

Salt to taste

Preparation method

• Cut the banana into thin slices
• Add the other ingredients except for wheat flour and start mixing in. Banana pieces start breaking down.
• Add half a cup of wheat flour to the mixture. Mix it in. Dilute the mixture with milk and add little by little to get the right consistency.
• Add the remaining wheat flour and milk. If you feel the batter is thick you can always dilute it with a little more milk.
• Batter should be dropping consistency. Not too thick and not too thin.
• Place a tava on the stove. Add some ghee. When the tava is hot take a little bit of the batter and drop it onto the pan.
• Before flipping it over add a little ghee on top.
• When brown, flip it over. Cook the other side until brown.
• Once done serve hot

#2. Peanut butter sandwich

Spread homemade peanut butter between two bread slices to make a yummy peanut butter sandwich. Serve along with a glass of milk. Isn’t it the easiest and healthiest breakfast ever?

#3. Egg and Salad Sandwich

Giving egg for breakfast will provide a good boost for your kid in the morning as it is rich in protein. Combine eggs with salad vegetables and bread to make the breakfast wholesome and filling.

Ingredients

• Multi-grain bread: 2 slices
• Cream cheese: 2 tbsp
• Salt to taste
• Butter: 1 tbsp
• Onion: 1/2

• Hard-boiled Egg: 1
• Chilli flakes: ¼ tsp
• Oregano: 1 pinch
• Spring onions: 2 tbsp finely chopped
• Lettuce loose-leaf: 1 handful finely chopped.

Preparation Method

• To make this healthy and delicious sandwich recipe, transfer the hard-boiled egg to a bowl and finely chop it. In the same bowl, combine cream cheese, chilli flakes, oregano, and salt. Using a spoon, thoroughly combine all of these ingredients. Spread this mixture on 1 slice of bread.
• Peel and slice the onion thinly. Next, spread a little butter on a slice of multigrain bread. With your hands, shred the lettuce and mix in the egg filling. Then sprinkle the sliced onion on top of the egg salad. Cover with the remaining slice of bread.
• Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Place the sandwich on the pan and brush the edges with butter. Cook for a minute on each side. Place the sandwich on a serving plate and top it with your favourite sauces. Serve with your favourite salad and french fries. (Alternatively, you can use a sandwich maker or grill it.)

#4. French Toast

If your child requires a delicious twist to the usual breakfast, you can try this easy-to-make french toast. It has all the nutrition required while it can be made in a jiffy.

Ingredients

• Milk: ½ cup (120ml
• Eggs: 2 medium
• Slice bread: 6 medium
• Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
• 2 teaspoons powdered/caster sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons oil (any flavourless oil)

Preparation method

• In a wide-mouth bowl add eggs, milk, salt, and vanilla extract and mix till everything is well combined.
• Further, add powdered sugar and mix again. Keep it aside.
• On a non-stick pan over a medium flame add 1/2 a teaspoon of butter and oil each.
• Take a slice of bread and dip each side in the liquid mixture and put it on the nonstick pan. Do not dip it more than once else the bread will become soggy and might break.
• Now cook each side for a couple of minutes or until it gets a light golden colour crust.
• Serve hot with maple syrup or whipped cream.

Conclusion

Cereals like cornflakes for breakfast are highly processed and frequently contain added sugar and refined carbohydrates. Their packages frequently contain deceptive health claims. If you intend to give cereal for breakfast to your child read the ingredients list and be sceptical of health claims. The best cereals have high fibre content and low sugar content.

Having said that, there are many healthier breakfast options available. Whole, single-ingredient foods like oat porridge or eggs are excellent choices. Preparing a healthy breakfast from whole foods is not only simple, but it also provides a good start to your day.

FAQs

Is it good to feed your child with cornflakes for breakfast every day?

Corn flakes are high in sugar due to the presence of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). This means they have a high Glycemic Index (GI) value and are therefore unsuitable for daily consumption.

Is banana good for breakfast?

Bananas are high in carbohydrates and natural sugars, but they are also high in fibre and important vitamins and minerals, making them preferable to highly processed high-carb breakfast foods.

What are the alternatives to cornflakes for a healthy breakfast?

The quick and healthy breakfast alternatives to cornflakes are

• Cereals like wheat flakes without any additives
• Oats
• Eggs
• Millets

At what age should cereals be introduced to children?

Between the age of 4 to 6 months, children should be given solid foods in addition to milk/breast milk. This is when you should introduce cereals to kids.

What grains can I give my child who is 1 year old?

Brown rice cereal and porridge are good staples for your baby. However, if you're ready to branch out, you can experiment with other iron-fortified cereals made from whole grains like oat, barley, or millet. They are high in vitamins and minerals.