Summary feedback
Kelloggs cornflakes have been marketed as a superior, obesity preventive breakfast in India over the recent years as Indians are getting more aware about sugar content in their food and are avoiding fat in their diets, in the belief that it will help them to be slimmer and healthier.The ingredients in Kelloggs cornflakes have a high glycemic index and have a very high percentage of simple carbohydrates, so we have to be careful as consumption of high glycemic index carbs may increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
The foodnetindia rating for this product :-
foodnetindia safety rating: 3 – (On a scale of 1 to 10 from very unsafe to very safe)
Corn flakes already contains corn, which is a grain with a significant percentage of simple carbohydrates and may contain added sugar as well!
In addition, many people like to add more sugar to their bowls of cornflakes and make the problem worse. A large number of people use it as a breakfast replacement and believe the clearly deceptive advertising by the brand (which carries small print that allows only a small, calorie restricted portion for obesity control).
This food is not safe as a meal replacement due to the large quantities that people eat and the very high percentage of simple carbohydrates in the meal. Such large glycemic loads can cause obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, non alocoholic fatty liver disease, high LDL and high triglycerides.
foodnetindia wholesomeness rating: 6 – (On a scale of 1 to 10 from very unbalanced nutrition profile to excellent nutrition profile)
Kelloggs cornflakes is basically simple carbohydrates as it’s made of corn grills, the calorie content per 100 gm of it is 378 Kcal. This is not healthy for diabetics and those having lifestyle diseases but the healthy can consume it only in small quantities and not as a meal or breakfast replacement.
Foodnetindia advises you to ensure protein, vegetables, fruit and healthy fat are added to the meal and that Kellogs cornflakes does not exceed 30 percent of the meal by volume and by calorie contribution.
Ingredients of concern in Kelloggs Cornflakes
Simple carbohydrate and added Sugar
Kellogg Cornflakes has 8 gm of natural sugar in it, but it does not specify which sugar has been used. This is important because different sugars have different metabolic effects. For example, Sucrose (Cane Sugar) is very different from Fructose (Fruit Sugar).
Some foods use high fructose corn syrup which may be harmful in much lower quantities than sucrose. We believe that it is not responsible behaviour for a brand to not clearly state what ingredients have been used.
In addition, as this product is used as a meal replacement along with additional milk and sugar, we believe that the simple carbohydrates in this food present an additional unsafe risk factor.
Salt
Kelloggs cornflakes contains 1.3 gm of salt per 100 gm which is very high as the WHO permissible limit for salt intake is 6 gms per day and we are aware that high sodium diets have been known to be the cause of high blood pressure, heart disease, etc.
The recommended daily intake of salt is between 1-3 grams. We at foodnetindia urge the manufacturers of Kelloggs cornflakes to use less salt in their products so that it is safe for everybody to consume.
Gluten
A significant proportion of the population is gluten intolerant, either because they suffer from Celiac disease (1% of the population) or gluten sensitivity, which is quite common.
Many people who suffer from gluten intolerance may be asymptomatic and may be unaware that they suffer from systemic and chronic inflammation due to their gluten intolerance.
Gluten intolerance has also been linked to autoimmune diseases, cancers, intestinal inflammation, degeneration of the intestinal lining and has even been linked to several mental illnesses (either as a cause or exacerbating factor) the most serious being cerebellar ataxia, a serious disease of the brain that involves an inability to coordinate balance, movements, problems talking, etc. Persons diagnosed with schizophrenia, autism, Alzheimer’s, etc., have been known to respond well to a gluten free diet.
Butylated Hydroxyanisole IN 320
It is a synthetic antioxidant, present in fats and fatty products to prevent rancidity. BHA in combination with high concentrations of vitamin C can produce free radicals, which can cause damage to the components of cells, including DNA. This has prompted the EU to restrict the use of BHA in the near future.
Other ingredients that are in the product but not a major source of concern in our opinion are:
- Corn grills
- Malt extract
- Vitamins
- Minerals
Disclaimer – The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information. foodnetindia encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.
The ingredients list of the products may have changed since this page was published. Consumers are encouraged to read warnings, labels, ingredient lists, etc.
Replies, if any, from the brand, will be published here ‘As is’
Great review. Keep it up.