Healthy or not?

There are many issues that flood the children's cereal industry, the main one being how unhealthy the majority cereal's are. This issue is one that interested me greatly as I feel that the 'most important meal of the day' should be healthy. Many cereal companies choose to go for the unhealthy option as this in their minds sells better and is what children want, sweet, sugary breakfast, most children have extreme pester power when it comes to what they want and some parents give in, this is how the unhealthy options do so well. Many parents are unaware how unhealthy some cereals are as this is unclear on the packaging.

One cereal in particular that is the biggest culprit is Frosties, one article in the daily mail headlined an article "Breakfast cereals with more sugar than a doughnuts". within this article they named and shamed the worst offenders when it came to sugar content, heading the top of the list was Kellogg's Frosties with a massive 11.1g of sugar per 30g bowl, this is nearly 3g more than an average sized doughnut, next was Nestle's Cookie Crisp, with a staggering 10.59g, then again Nestle's Honey Cheerio's with a 10.53g, Nesle's Nesquik 10.5, Sugar Puffs 10.5, Kellogg's Coco Pops 10.2 and Kellogg's Honey Loops 10.2. All these cereal's had more sugar then a doughnut in just a 30g serving. I find this unbelievable these seemingly healthy foods are again one of the many contributes fueling our 'obesity crisis' and are aiming these terribly unhealthy foods at our younger generation. TV advertisements are one of the most predominant ways in which these companies market their product, showing them between children programmes so that they get the widest coverage possible, going straight out to the children.

I have decided that I want to make a healthy, educational cereal, one that is low in sugar and no saturated fat that tastes great! A cereal with natural flavors from toasted whole grains, and few if any added ingredients and flavors. My cereal will be a toasted whole grain cereal and should have no more than 81 calories per serving, max 2g sugar, Dietary fiber, Protein, Vitamins, B2, B6, B12, Magnesium, Vitamin C etc, Oats, and no hydrogenated oils or preservatives. Although I don't have to make the cereal this is what I am aiming for and is what I want the end result to be if it was going to be produced on a large scale.

Cheerios is my inspiration and its ingredients and health benefits is how I wish for mine to be. I want Oats to be be my main ingredient hence the name of my cereal 'Speller Oaties', I have taken this extract from the Cheerios website, it explain how Oats work and their health benefits, "Oats contain soluble fiber that can help soak up some cholesterol. Too much cholesterol can build up in your arteries and put you at risk for heart disease. Think of oats as tiny sponges that can help soak up some cholesterol and naturally remove it from your body. The soluble fiber in oats binds some of the cholesterol in your digestive tract. This cholesterol is "trapped" and some of it is removed from your body naturally. Oats contain more soluble fiber than whole wheat, rice or corn. In addition to soluble fiber, oats contain vitamins, minerals and unique antioxidants, which help make oats healthy.Cheerios® Cereal is Naturally Powered by Oats. From the first delicious spoonful, the power of nature is working for you. Every "O" is made with 100% natural whole grain oats and no other grain is better at lowering cholesterol. So go ahead, enjoy with a happy heart".