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Cereals are one of the main sources of iron in the daily diet. Thirty grams of cereals provide eight milligrams of iron, and these are the iron requirements recommended for children between 9 and 13 years. Certain amounts of iron, but somewhat hard to assimilate, are found in parsley root, figs, raisins and dried apricots, nettles, potatoes boiled in their shell, almonds and other nuts.
It is estimated that annually, about two billion people worldwide suffer from anemia, and the number of people that have iron deficiency is much higher. The condition is worse if, in addition to iron, the body has the deficiency of vitamin A and B12, or folic acid. To treat anemia you must correct vitamin and mineral deficiencies through a healthy diet.
Cereals for breakfast meet our daily demand for carbohydrates
One of the essential elements of a healthy diet should be carbohydrates. This diet includes foods that contain starch, such as cereals, bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, noodles or pizza. They are known as complex carbohydrates because they are composed of many hydrocarbons and it takes more time to digest.
All breakfast cereals are high in carbohydrates. The amount of carbohydrates for 10 ounces of cereals served with partially skimmed milk are: Nestle Cornflakes - 1 ounce, Nestle Fitness - 1 ounce; Nestle Ciniminis - 1 ounce.
Also, during the cold season it is even more important to ensure a daily supply of calcium. This element facilitates the assimilation of nutrients and the disposal of acid residue, following the metabolic process.
Breakfast cereals are an excellent source of vitamins
Vitamins are organic substances essential to the normal functioning of the body and which, with few exceptions, can not be synthesized in the internal metabolism. They regulate the metabolism through enzymatic systems; lack of a vitamin can disturb the entire body. It is important to know that vitamins can not fulfill their role in the body in the absence of other nutrients, especially minerals.
Key vitamins present in the content of cereals are vitamin B complex (B1 - thiamine, B2 - riboflavin, B3 - vitamin PP and nicotinamide, B5 - pantothenic acid, B6 - pyridoxine, B12 - cobalamin, folic acid) and vitamin C.
Breakfast cereals are recommended in the daily diet as they contain unsaturated fats, significant amounts of fiber and carbohydrates. Cereals are also an excellent source of vitamins such as vitamin B, minerals - like iron, copper, phosphorus and zinc - and antioxidants.
Cereals are an important source of phosphorus and magnesium
Like vitamins, minerals are very important for the functioning of the body, which is not healthy if these substances are in deficit. Minerals represent about 5 percent of the body weight, and the most important are: calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and sodium.
Phosphorus is necessary for a normal bone structure and for their consistency (it maintains bone and teeth healthy). It also has an important role in glucose uptake and its transformation into energy. This element is necessary for normal functioning of muscles, nervous system and energy production. Magnesium is necessary for maintaining a healthy immune and reproductive system, as well as for recovery and regeneration of tissues. It also has an important role in the optimal functioning of the heart.
To make sure that your body is not deprived of any of these important substances, eat cereals with milk or yogurt. They are delicious, easy to prepare and help you pass over the cold period more easily. Is it not easier to prevent than to treat?
