Why Organic Cereals for Children?
People choose organic breakfast cereals for their children, as well as other foods, for several reasons. Organic products are those made from plants or animals that are grown or raised in a natural way, without the use of chemicals, pesticides or growth hormones. Many consider organic cereals to be healthier, better for the environment, and more appealing than non-organic options.
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No Chemicals
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According to Dr. Alan Greene, a pediatrician, children's growing bodies are more vulnerable to chemicals in the foods they eat than those of adults. Greene believes the pesticides and growth hormones used to grow non-organic cereal crops may cause long-term damage to growing children. Organically grown grains do not contain these potentially harmful chemicals and so may be healthier for children, now and in the long run.
Healthy Snack
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Cereal is not just for breakfast, especially when it comes to kids. Cereal bars like Cereality are a testament to the all-day popularity of the traditional breakfast staple. Many parents feed their children cereal as an in-between-meal snack because it is a more nutritious alternative. Organic cereals, which in addition to their lack of chemicals and preservatives sometimes contain lower doses of sugar and sodium, can be an even healthier snack choice.
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Environmentally Friendly
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While organic cereals can be a healthy part of a child's daily nutrition organically grown grains and other crops are good for the earth as well. Materials like compost and manure are used as natural fertilizers instead of petroleum-based products that are bad for the soil, and crop rotation helps make sure nutrients aren't stripped from the earth. It is never too early to teach kids about caring for the environment.
Appeal
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The health benefits of organic cereals make them appealing to adults but that doesn't matter if kids won't eat them. Children are often drawn to cereals not for their taste but for the cartoon characters decorating the boxes. Some organic cereal brands are hoping to compete by making their products more kid-friendly. Earth's Best now makes a line of Sesame Street cereals and Clifford the Big Red Dog adorns boxes of Clifford's Crunch, an organic offering from Cascadian Farms.
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References
- The Nibble: "Organic Cereal: Part I - Why Choose Organic Cereal," by Stephanie Zonis, April 2008
- The Nibble: "Organic Cereal: Part II - Kids and Organic Cereal," by Stephanie Zonis, April 2008
- DrGreene: 'Organics a Choice for our Children," by Alan Greene, MD, 2010
- The Veggie Table: Vegetarianism 101: What is Organic?
Resources
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