Are Multi Grain Cheerios Healthy?

If you make a careful selection, breakfast cereal may be a healthy way to start the day. An ideal breakfast cereal is low in sugar and saturated fat, and high in fiber, vitamins and minerals. As a cereal that is low in fat and moderate in fiber, Multi Grain Cheerios is a fairly healthy selection.

Multi Grain Cheerios is a low-fat choice, with only one gram of fat in a one-cup serving and no saturated fat, according to LIVESTRONG's food database MyPlate. As it is not high in fat, the number of calories per cup is also moderate at 110.

A high intake of saturated fat is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, so you should limit your consumption. Look for cereal that is low in total fat and saturated fat. Unsaturated fat has beneficial effects on the heart, but you should still consume it in moderation.

Many vitamins and minerals are found in large quantities in Multi Grain Cheerios. One cup provides 100 percent of the daily value for iron, vitamin E, thiamin, riboflavin and vitamin B-12. The B vitamins are involved in energy production and vitamin E works as an antioxidant. For those who do not consume animal products, breakfast cereal is an important source of vitamin B-12, as it must be obtained from fortified foods.

Multi Grain Cheerios contains a moderate amount of fiber, with three grams in one cup, fulfilling about 12 percent of the daily value based on a 2,000-calorie diet.

Like protein, fiber creates a feeling of fullness and delays the emptying of food from the stomach, keeping you satisfied. It is also important for healthy digestion. Eating something with fiber at breakfast may help you control your snacking; adding a little fruit to your cereal will increase the fiber content even more.

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