Why Corn Flakes are Not Healthy for You

Corn flakes have been a staple breakfast choice for many people around the world. However, if you think that corn flakes are a healthy option, then think again. This article outlines why corn flakes are not a healthy breakfast choice, and why you should switch to a healthier breakfast cereal instead.

Corn Flakes are Refined Carbohydrates

Corn flakes are not the most nutritious breakfast choice. They are a refined carbohydrate, which means that the most nutritious part of the grain and its fiber have been removed during processing. However, fiber is an essential nutrient that we should be adding to our diet. Refined carbohydrates are also considered empty calories since they lack vitamins and minerals. Therefore, starting your day with corn flakes means starting your day on empty calories.

Corn Flakes Spike Blood Sugar and Cause Hunger Pangs

Corn flakes are high glycemic foods, just like most refined carbohydrates. High glycemic foods cause a sharp increase in blood sugar levels, causing increased insulin production, and causing hunger pangs before lunchtime. Consuming refined carbohydrates like corn flakes has been linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

A Healthier Alternative: Bran Flakes (Whole Grain)

Want a healthy alternative to corn flakes? Try bran flakes instead. Bran is the outer part of a wheat kernel and is usually discarded during the refining process. Bran flakes are a whole grain and are rich in fiber, vitamins, healthy fats, minerals, and antioxidants. Its high nutritional value and fiber-rich layer means you feel full longer, preventing surges in blood sugar levels and insulin production.

The Benefits of Bran Flakes

Bran flakes offer numerous health benefits, making them an excellent choice for breakfast cereal. Here are some of the advantages of consuming bran flakes:

Boosts Your Digestion: Bran flakes are rich in fiber, essential for maintaining healthy digestion and preventing constipation. The fiber content of one serving of bran flakes provides around 20% of the daily recommended intake of fiber.

Keeps You From Getting Hungry So Easily: One serving of bran flakes has fewer calories than corn flakes. It keeps you full for longer, preventing overeating before lunchtime.

Contains More Vitamins And Minerals: Bran flakes contain several minerals like zinc, copper, manganese, iron, calcium, and magnesium. Additionally, bran contains vitamins like A, B1, B2, B3, B6, D, and E.

Lowers Cholesterol Levels: Consuming dietary fiber has been linked to lowering cholesterol levels. High cholesterol leads to clogged arteries, which can cause stroke and even heart attack. Therefore, switching to bran flakes instead of corn flakes has the added benefit of reducing your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Adding Bran Flakes to Your Diet

Switching from corn flakes to bran flakes in the morning may be challenging for some people because of the taste difference. If this is true for you, try gradually making the switch. Fill your bowl halfway with corn flakes and halfway with bran flakes, gradually increasing the bran flake content over the week.

To make your breakfast even healthier, add some fresh fruit, raisins, unsweetened coconut flakes, or nuts. Eating bran flakes with plain yogurt is another delicious alternative. However, if you have been consuming a low fiber diet, the sudden switch to bran flakes might result in diarrhea. Therefore, it’s advisable to switch gradually and drink plenty of water all day long to avoid constipation.

Conclusion

In summary, corn flakes are not a healthy breakfast option compared to bran flakes. Bran flakes are more nutritious, richer in fiber, and contain more vitamins and minerals than corn flakes. It’s advisable to switch gradually to bran flakes and enjoy the added health benefits that come with consuming them.