Dispatches on cereals, probiotics, and sugar

The wonderful Dispatches on Channel 4 last night put breakfast right under the spotlight. A much needed documentary into the marketing hype around breakfast cereals and probiotic drinks. As some of you are aware I drone on and on about the high sugar content in cereals and the lack of scientific research into probiotic drinks. Many of my patients have thought that sitting down to cereal each morning was a good thing, but the high sugar content even in adults can have a roller coaster effect on the blood sugar – and we don’t want that in children either. Always READ THE LABELS. Even the plainest looking cereals can be packed full of glucose-fructose syrup. A protein based breakfast like scrambled eggs on toast or good old fashioned oats, or fruit and live yoghurt is a good way to start the day. As for probiotic drinks, I think they are a total waste of money. Real probiotics and prebiotics come from a good diet, live yoghurt, garlic, onions, leeks etc and if you feel you need a supplement then see my newsletter/blog on what to buy. The probiotic drinks themselves have even more sugar in them, so many people are sitting down to a sugar based breakfast – if thats what you want – just have a bar of chocolate instead!!!

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