Breakfast cereal, the most important staple of any diet

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Breakfast cereal is the most important food of that meal. However the choice of this cereal is very important.

A little history of breakfast cereal. In the late 19th century of the United States, there was a large movement of vegetarianism. Among those inspired by the movement were Dr. James Caleb Jackson, creator of Granula. John Harvey Kellogg, who created two breakfast cereals, Granola, and Wheat Flakes. His brother, Will Keith Kellog created Corn Flakes. Charles William Post, creator of Grape-Nuts

During this time, the traditional western breakfast was eggs, bacon, sausage, pork and beef. This was causing health issues such as gout, hypertension, obesity, gastrointestinal disorders, heart disease to name a few. Though the science has later found the improvement of the gastrointestesinal system is through the consumption of fiber, these vegetarians found that by replacing the high fatty meat breakfast with one made with whole grains greatly improved intestinal health.

America has forgotten the innovations of breakfast and the improvement health, by going back to the same unhealthy breakfast health. Most cereals now are loaded with sugar with very low fiber content. As a result, the majority of Americans are obese, and have the same kinds of disease that plagued us in the 19th century.

What can be easier than a bowl of cereal at breakfast? Even those who are lactose intolerant have the choice of lactose free milk, as well as the equally healthy rice and almond milk (due to the problems arising from soy causing hormone imbalances, I do not endorse soy milk as a healthy food). The ingestion of a high fiber breakfast has been shown to improve overall digestion, lowering cholesterol, and promoting bowel movement regularity.

The choice of breakfast cereal is important, it must be whole grain, and with the highest fiber content possible. It is recommended for a healthy bowel to have 20-35 grams of fiber a day. I would recommend the oldest cereals, being grape-nuts, granola, and wheat or corn flakes. As always, look for the lower cost store brands. Avoid anything loaded with sugar. Men's Health's best healthy cereal is Post Spoon Size Shredded Wheat. It contains one ingredient: whole-grain wheat. and per cup, 170 calories, 6grams of protein, 40grams carbs, 6grams of fiber, and 1 gram of fat.

Another important tip with cereals is to make sure you are having the proper serving, which is usually 1/2 cup to 1 cup. If you think the calorie count is low for breakfast, it is. Ever wonder what 'part of your complete breakfast' is? Add a piece of fruit, a hard boiled egg, a serving of non fat yogurt or cottage cheese, and you have a complete breakfast.

It is important to know what your calorie count should be and make sure you have a third of your daily requirement at breakfast. Part of my services as Fitness and Combat Trainer includes a nutrition plan, which gives you your proper calorie count for your fitness goals.

Genesis

I have been tracking my fitness on livestrong.com. take a look, I'm off to a good start. http://www.livestrong.com/profile/mayhem833/ Going to the gym today after a 72 hour recovery. It was the first time I went away from the weight machines and nautilus machines and went all free weights. Free weights are the best way to build stability, but I had used new muscles that needed more recovery. I want to try to put ten more pounds on all my sets, 10 reps 3 sets. Currently they are:


90lb squats

90lb deadlifts

90lb shoulder press

130 bench press

60lb barbell curls

I'm also alternating 20 minute treadmill run for cardio, one 5 mph tempo, one interval. the tempo was a little too easy, so I'm going to add a 5% incline.

Some good news, my physical training regime greatly corrected my knock knees. 15 years of doctors telling me I needed surgery and eventual knee replacement, and all I needed was a physical therapy regime. If only I had the motivation to become a Fitness Trainer 15 years ago :-p

The problem now, is the Fulkerson Osteotomy  I had in 1998. This was performed due to an issue with a uniquely shaped knee joint causing patellofemoral pain syndrome. Although the procedure was performed correctly and I have completely healed and in fact have a superior knee, the presence of the titanium bolts are holding up my enlistment into the Navy. Though I am able to enlist with a knee waiver this will take time.

The irony is, if I hadn't gone to a doctor in the first place, and just followed the common sense of eating healthy and exercising, I would have been a successful college educated USMC Officer. Ah well, I'm not going to think about what could have been, just what needs to happen.

In other news, I qualified for $3500 from the Pell grant to go to college, and with student loans will be able to be a full time student. I applied to Mt SAC's Associates degree with an emphasis in Kinesiology and Wellness for the Fall of 2010. Just have to get by till then.

I contacted AAAI/ISMA regarding the Personal Fitness Trainer certification I took on 3/20. I passed. I should have my certificate on monday, then I can start applying to gyms for employment. In the meantime. I provide 1 year of online Fitness and Combat Training for $50, in person Fitness and Combat Training for $50 a session.