You've heard it all before. Eating cereal will make you fat; eating eggs will make you muscle-bound; and drinking protein shakes will turn you into a beefcake. But what's the real deal with breakfast cereals? Are they really as bad as everyone says they are, or can they be a part of a healthy diet?
It's time to put on our lab coats, grab our calculators (so we don't get any numbers wrong), and crunch some numbers to find out once and for all whether cereal is bad for abs.
What Even are "Abs"?
Let's start by getting clear on what we even mean when we talk about "abs". Your abdominal muscles – more commonly known as your "abs" – are located in your torso between your ribs and pelvis. There are four distinct groups of ab muscles:
- Rectus abdominus
- Transverse abdominis
- Internal oblique
- External oblique
Together, these muscles work to help with posture & movement (and looking great in crop tops, or so I've heard).
Breakfast, Lunch...or Dinner? The Timing Debate
When it comes to nutrition advice (which let’s face it changes every week) there always seems to be conflicting information. One day carbohydrates like pasta and breads should only be eaten in moderation & then tomorrow someone from Harvard is telling us that carbs are actually good for us (WHAT)— Similarly when I dug deeper into this research question there were differing opinions on whether breakfast was an important meal if weight loss / muscle gain was one's goal.
PRO #1: Breakfast Gives You Energy
On one hand, advocates argue that starting the day with breakfast can provide much-needed energy after going without food overnight.
CON #1: Skipping Meals Can Benefit Weight Loss Journey
On another hand some suggest skipping breakfast might have nutritional benefits, as it can be seen to aid weight loss by reducing caloric intake over the course of a day.
PRO #2: Cereal Contains Fiber
Finally (and one of my favourites because who doesn't love a satisfied bathroom break) studies have shown that including high-fiber cereal in your breakfast routine may help decrease appetite & control hunger throughout the day.
The Good, the Bad, and the Marshmallows - Analyzing Common Ingredients
Let's face it- there are healthy cereals out there (promise!) but unfortunately some still contain added sugars & questionable ingredients which makes decision making even harder when browsing through grocery isles (why must they make this so hard?). What’s more confusing is how do we determine what actually comprises "unhealthy" ingredients vs “healthy” ones?
A big red flag to watch for on any nutrition label is hidden forms of sugar like "Fructose."- many people don’t realize it takes about three bananas or six cups of grapes worth of fructose to reach recommended daily amounts; this means if you eat yoghurt with fruit syrup alongside granola atop then suddenly that natural sugar level count just skyrocketed.
The truth is that not all carbohydrates are created equal...some are more easily digestible than others and tend to raise blood sugar quickly which diminishes our body's energy reserves hence why certain cereal brands react similarly in comparison with a mid afternoon office nap. Some seemingly innocent looking cereals (looking at YOU Lucky Charms) pack almost TEN grams per serving according to Obesity Action Coalition study releases last year.
So if choosing fiber-rich options such as All Bran or Weetabix (sometimes topped off with fresh fruits) —these healthier options could prove useful additions in building an abs-friendly diet due solely on additional proteins and less empty calories included compared with popular low-fibre options.
On our helpful shortcut like gluten free bread, we’ve compiled some broad stroke possible bad-cereal ingredients to keep a wary eye out for during grocery shopping (AKA THE BAD) :
- Refined sugars
- Artificial colorings & flavouring
- Processed grains
Milk Matters: Fats or None?
Just like with cereal, it can be tough to discern which types of milk are best when you're trying to focus on your abs. While whole milk has more calories and fat than skimmed varieties the catching point is actually that research isn't conclusive...some argue saturated fats increase total cholestrol levels; whereas, others claim no significant difference. Moreover if we simply remove dairy altogether---a plant-based lactose-free option such as soy/ oat / almond might prove healthier in comparison (though whether these options offer just enough protein supplementation remains unknown)
It's also worth mentioning that semi-skimmed versions do exist, though they vary slightly from brand to brand
The Verdict: Cereal Can be Part of a Balanced Diet
Our crunching leads us towards one conclusion -- it’s generally POSSIBLE but not guaranteed (which unfortunately doesn't sound like much help)— Eating cereal for breakfast can absolutely be part of a healthy diet focused on building abs IF it comes paired with careful ingredient selections on labels.
Some easy swaps include subbing honey for sugar syrup or jam, throwing in fresh fruits, substituting whole-fat milks with alternatives...and staying weary about portion control (especially aiming for less consumed carbs per serve recommendation).
So while enjoying Frosted Flakes won’t magically gift you six-pack abs...if you’re looking towards overall macronutrient balance then there's room without needing guilt-ridden remorse every time you decide pour your favourite childhood cereals into the bowl!