The first cereal was invented in 1863 by James Caleb Jackson, who ran medical sanitarium (hospital). The cereal was created by graham flour dough broken into different shapes, and it was super simple and bland. Shortly after that, John Kellogg, a surgeon who managed a health spa made a similar version of that cereal and named it granola. 

About 40 years later, in 1894, John Kellogg and his brother, Will Kellogg invented corn flakes! They were made with no sugar or any added flavors, coming with a really tough texture. They were so hard that they sometimes cracked people's teeth, but were extremely popular. John Kellogg had the goal to spread the gospel of biologic living, which called for eating more whole grains, less meat, and more exercise, according to him. 

In 1910, Quaker Oats found a way of creating puffed rice and wheat by forcing rice granules to explode under intense pressure. This was a huge breakthrough for not only Quaker oats but the world, it was so huge that it was marketed as “the eighth wonder of the world.” I don’t know about you but I love puffed rice and wheat cereals! 

After this point, cereal got more and more popular and different companies started to come out with various forms. New brands with more sugar started popping up, and were marketed to kids. In the 1950’s, after World War II, babies were everywhere, and after years of rationing during the war, families were hungry for sugary and fatty snacks. During that time, sugar was marketed as the most appealing feature in the cereal, and marketed as a great source of energy for kids. With that, there was a lot of sugar added to the cereal and kids were running around high off of the sugary cereal, can you imagine that! 

Today is a little different, we now know that added sugars aren’t the greatest form of energy by a long shot. But, whole grains are a great source of energy! They contain lots of fiber, keeping us energized throughout the day, helping with regular bowel movements and gut health. While containing loads of vitamins and minerals. Whole grains help to control cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and blood sugar. Pairing a cereal with some fruit and milk can be a balanced yet delicious breakfast! 

When choosing cereal, we still need to be aware of the ingredients. Lots of cereals can still have lots of added sugars to it, which can contribute to energy crashes, unstable blood sugar levels, and it can leave you feeling hungry and irritable. You can check this by looking at the nutrition facts label on the back of the package, and looking at the added sugar label. Try to limit the amount of cereal consumed with over 10 grams of added sugar per serving to help you feel the best!