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AIBU?

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Original poster

DH thinks rice crispies are a suitable breakfast

869 replies

thisismyheart · 28/03/2023 07:46

That's it really, DH would happily send children (3&6) off to school/childminder on one bowl of rice crispies and a bit of fruit in the morning. I feel very strongly about filling kids tummies properly before school, and while i have no problem with a bowl of rice crispies now and then, that they are ultimately just puffs of air, and the children need something more nutritionally dense.

We argued about it properly this morning, and now he's in a huff about me undermining him. I just want to guage what others think - is a bowl of rice crispies and a bit of fruit enough to keep a child's energy levels up all morning?

OP posts:
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13
knickerelasticgonetwang · 30/03/2023 00:08

At least they are having something to eat. I always went to school with cereal for breakfast I was fine. What you have to remember there are some kids who go hungry. You will generally find that most breakfast clubs at schools have cereal and toast on offer

pollymere · 30/03/2023 00:20

That is plenty. If you overfeed them you're setting them up to need more food to fill them up as they grow older.

Ineedcoffee2021 · 30/03/2023 00:32

Imtoooldforthisbs · 29/03/2023 22:42

The answers on here are wild. Of course rice crispies are not a nutritious, balance meal. No wonder half the nation are unhealthy and overweight. Try a bit harder people. It’s not hard or time consuming to toast some bread and scramble an egg. Oats in the microwave with some fruit and yogurt, takes 2 minutes to prepare. Cereal is one of the most processed food available on the planet. And honestly, just cause you had it as a kid and turned out fine… doesn't mean you should not evolve and try to do better for your kids.

No way would we reach for oats and eggs in the morning but we not huge breakfast eaters, we more often skip than not cos we just not hungry and wont force down food cos the clock says

dcthatsme · 30/03/2023 00:47

I agree with you OP. I don’t think Rice Crispies are a great breakfast. There’s not much in them apart from processed carbs. I generally buy higher fibre cereal like weetabix or get my DSS to eat egg and toast. That said -better rice crispies and fruit than nothing.

stacyvaron · 30/03/2023 00:51

I think it's fine, but more than that, I think you're damn lucky to have a DH that feeds the kids in the morning. If you feel strongly about their diet it's cause for discussion, not argument, unless you want him to stop doing his part.

oggie679 · 30/03/2023 01:22

I don't understand, this is literally breakfast cereal, if it isn't, then what is?

oggie679 · 30/03/2023 01:26

thisismyheart · 28/03/2023 08:39

Thanks all, interesting reading for sure.

To clear a couple things up - not that Im sure most of you read the updates- it's in the pantry because DH does the shopping sometimes? It doesnt bother me whatsoever and he's a brilliant husband and father!

The argument was actually started by him, when I mentioned that I usually fed them more, I wasnt picking a fight about cereal!

And lastly although I have no problem with cereal generally, as part of a balanced diet, Im really surprised so many people have said it's fine, simply because it's marketed as healthy breakfast and has found it's way to the cereal aisle.

So why do you not think it's it's a healthy cereal and what are you comparing it to?

sussexpud · 30/03/2023 01:44

yes of course it is, with milk, it is a perfectly decent breakfast. it's literally designed for breakfast.

Undertheoldlindentree · 30/03/2023 02:31

YABU. Not worth arguing with each over this. Presumably 6 year-old child gets fruit and milk at school break and childminder will give 3 year-old a nutritious mid-morning snack. They're not off to to climb the Eiger, do a D of E expedition or sit a GCSE exam.

Buffs · 30/03/2023 02:40

I agree with you. It’s a processed food. What are the ingredients?

TMess · 30/03/2023 02:59

I notice a pretty marked difference in how my children act during the day when they have something like Rice Krispies for breakfast instead of a good protein, so I would be on your side here. Growing bodies need good nutrition.

lauraisa · 30/03/2023 03:04

Why don't you get up and make them something "more substantial".

Codlingmoths · 30/03/2023 03:28

Here is the blood sugar difference between a protein breakfast and chocolate cereal. I’m ok for my dc to be somewhere in between that with decent high fibre weetbix, but empty calories super loaded with sugar is not setting them up to be their best. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CqWH28eofU1/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CqWH28eofU1/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Goldbar · 30/03/2023 06:25

stacyvaron · 30/03/2023 00:51

I think it's fine, but more than that, I think you're damn lucky to have a DH that feeds the kids in the morning. If you feel strongly about their diet it's cause for discussion, not argument, unless you want him to stop doing his part.

No, she really isn't. Feeding your kids is part of parenting and men are parents too, last time I looked.

And it's not like opening a packet involves much effort.

Michellelovesizzy · 30/03/2023 06:37

I hope it’s ok coz mine have cereal in the morning I used to put out toast but they don’t eat it so I stopped. If they asked 4 something else of course I would do it

ConfusingTrousers · 30/03/2023 07:17

Give them a flapjack each as they head off and if you find they're not eating them after a week, clearly the original breajdaft was enough.

Solonge · 30/03/2023 07:29

Rice Krispies have the same sugar content as cornflakes…its not a high sugar cereal.

Solonge · 30/03/2023 07:31

Codlingmoths · 30/03/2023 03:28

Here is the blood sugar difference between a protein breakfast and chocolate cereal. I’m ok for my dc to be somewhere in between that with decent high fibre weetbix, but empty calories super loaded with sugar is not setting them up to be their best. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CqWH28eofU1/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Rice Krispies have the same sugar content as cornflakes, Coco pops more than double that.

Mrsgreen100 · 30/03/2023 08:41

Who buys the the cereal?
if it’s not in the cupboard
it won’t end up in the kids

ImSweetEnoughDarlin · 30/03/2023 08:56

I cannot beleive so many people are saying cereal is a good and healthy food. The deliberate going against the op on here is outstanding. MN is not this nutritionally illiterate.

winningeasy · 30/03/2023 09:01

Tldr - buy them some more fibrous cereal and add a yoghurt.

Or give them some nut butter on wholemeal bread.

Or boil some eggs the night before.

Blueey · 30/03/2023 09:05

SnackSizeRaisin · 29/03/2023 20:26

Not really seeing how Cheerios with milk and banana is any better than rice crispies with milk and banana as described by op. Cheerios are full of sugar, so worse, if anything.

Show quote history

Exactly. That's why I said I follow it up with some scrambled eggs, because it feels "so empty nutritionally otherwise". Banana is a small attempt to make it slightly more nutrient dense by adding some potassium and fibre.

It's incredible how reading people's posts before leaping in to try and score a point can help. I know that it's a wild idea, actually reading what people say, but even though it's out there I do find it to be a useful habit.

mumlikeaboss · 30/03/2023 09:31

SnackSizeRaisin · 29/03/2023 20:24

Rice crispies don't have any added sugar. They are just rice. Why do people keep saying they are sugary?

Show quote history

Other people have already answered this but yes they do have sugar in them!!

DH thinks rice crispies are a suitable breakfast
DH thinks rice crispies are a suitable breakfast
Codlingmoths · 30/03/2023 09:35

stacyvaron · 30/03/2023 00:51

I think it's fine, but more than that, I think you're damn lucky to have a DH that feeds the kids in the morning. If you feel strongly about their diet it's cause for discussion, not argument, unless you want him to stop doing his part.

Just about nobody is damn lucky to have a Dh who checks notes will pour a bowl of cereal in the morning for checks again his own children. Anyone who doesn’t have that without some health factor at play is settling for a crap husband/partner who’s a pretty crap dad.

Kanaloa · 30/03/2023 09:51

Blueey · 30/03/2023 09:05

Exactly. That's why I said I follow it up with some scrambled eggs, because it feels "so empty nutritionally otherwise". Banana is a small attempt to make it slightly more nutrient dense by adding some potassium and fibre.

It's incredible how reading people's posts before leaping in to try and score a point can help. I know that it's a wild idea, actually reading what people say, but even though it's out there I do find it to be a useful habit.

Show quote history

Well to be fair (since you encourage people to read your words) you said you sometimes follow it up with another meal of eggs. Which means some of the time you think cereal and fruit is acceptable. As does the op’s husband.

For what it’s worth children don’t need two separate breakfasts of cereal and fruit then eggs. If you don’t find the cereal appropriate and want your child to only eat eggs, feed them that. It’s a really unhealthy attitude in my opinion for kids to learn they must have a three course meal for breakfast.