Trying to eat healthy to improve your fitness while losing some weight, but can’t seem to get rid of your cereal? Don’t worry, we feel you!
While looking for healthier cereal options, chances are you opted for Raisin Bran Cereal which is usually the first choice for healthy cereals.
The reason why it is considered healthy is probably due to its name. Bran is usually identified as one of the healthier foods. However, if you find yourself asking – is Raisin Bran healthy, then this article is for you!
We will review and break down the nutritional composition and the downsides of Raisin Bran and whether it is a healthy cereal option for you or not. So, keep on reading!
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Is Raisin Brand Healthy? – Potential Health Benefits
This type of cereal is manufactured by many companies, and most of these brands have around 170 to 195 calories in a cup of serving. Most of these have a similar composition of macronutrients, but varying mineral and vitamin composition.
However, we will be discussing a more general nutritional value of Raisin Bran.
High Content of Fiber:
Raisin Bran cereals usually have around 5 to 8 grams of fiber per serving, which is around one-sixth of the 30 grams daily value requirement for a person.
The Fiber is usually stemming from the bran ingredients and is quite good for our gut health. It regulates our bowel movement preventing constipation all the while having positive effects against colon cancer.
Moreover, having a bowl of raisin bran cereal for breakfast will usually keep you full for longer due to its fiber content. The process also prevents any drop in blood glucose in the midst of meals as well as reduces the risk of Type 2 Diabetes.
If that wasn’t good enough, if you are looking to lose weight, then it’s better to switch to Bran Cereals as it satiates our appetite by keeping us full for a longer time. In addition, it prevents us from munching on any unhealthy snacks in between meals.
Good Source of Micronutrients:
A cup of Raisin Bran serving can contain a wide variety of micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals. And we all know how important these micronutrients are for our bodies daily.
However, these vitamins and minerals are not added by natural means but are present in the food through fortification. This means these nutrients were added to the final product for its benefit.
A growing population around the world is lacking in essential micronutrients and suffering from various diseases due to their deficiencies. This makes cereals such as Raisin Bran a much more convenient and effective way to increase the daily content of micronutrients in our system.
These vitamins and minerals can include iron, calcium, and a wide variety of vitamins, including, Vitamin A, D, E, C. With a lack of such nutrients in our diet for an extended period can lead to Iron-deficiency Anemia, Bone density issues, and skin problems among many.
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Downsides of Raisin Bran:
Like everything else in life, we must consider the drawbacks before a verdict is made. Raisin Bran, although it has its benefits, some downsides have been discussed below.
Sodium Content:
A cup of Raisin Bran serving can consist of up to 228 milligrams of sodium. This is about 15% of the daily value and limit of 1,500 milligrams of sodium for the average person.
Consumption of too much sodium content food can have an adverse effect on our bodies as it is correlated to increased blood pressure. Constant elevated blood pressure can cause a burden on our hearts which is likely to increase the risk of having a stroke or heart attack.
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High Sugar Content:
It’s no secret that cereals often come with high content of sugar and this can reduce the effect of all the nutritional benefits of Raisin Bran per serving.
Per serving of Raisin Bran can comprise up to 20 grams of sugar which is equivalent to 5 teaspoons of sugar. According to American Health Association, women should be limiting their sugar intake to 6 teaspoons which are around 25 grams or less. At the same time, men should intake about 9 teaspoons of added sugar per day.
Since one serving of Raisin Bran can comprise half of the recommended intake per day, this means that it increases the chance of having too much sugar. This high intake of sugar throughout the day increases the risk of diseases associated with it.
The high content of sugar diet is likely to increase the risk of obesity and chronic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes which is prevalent all over the world. Moreover, a lot of sugar is also likely to lead to teeth cavities.
In addition to that, sometimes healthy claims on cereal such as Raisin Bran can be misleading and can be a type of marketing tactic to earn more revenues. Regardless, this might mean a serving can contain more than the listed amount of sugar, which is likely to increase the risk of heart diseases.
Raisin Bran has multiple good sources of nutrition, including high fiber content and macronutrients. However, these Claimed nutritional values can either be false or be neutralized by the high content of sugar.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Raisin Bran help with constipation?
Since Raisin Bran is high in fiber, it can help with constipation.
Is eating Raisin Bran good for weight loss?
It’s not an ideal item to include in the diet for weight loss as it has high sugar and sodium content.
Which Raisin Bran has less sugar?
Cascadian Farm Organic Raisin Bran has the lowest amount of sugar as it contains 13 gm of sugar per serving.
Conclusion
It’s easy to get drawn in by foods like Raisin Bran, which are generally thought to be nutritious. But to decide is Raisin Bran healthy or not, we must consider the benefits and drawbacks.
However, these nutritional values of Raisin Bran can be neutralized by the increased sugar content. So, take the nutrition label with a grain of salt when it comes to choosing your breakfast option.
Having Raisin Bran as a healthier option compared to other cereals from time to time is acceptable. However, daily intake regularly is probably not the wisest option.
