Cereals are the most important part in an adult’s diet due to a substance known as starch, a complex carbohydrate with slow absorption that offers the organism the energy needed for best functioning. Cereals also contain fibers, proteins, minerals (calcium, iron, zinc), vitamins (B and E) and antioxidants.

Advantages:

– it is mandatory to consume daily these types of carbohydrates, but in small quantities. With a small amount of starch in our body, we have the needed glucose that helps us maintain satiety till the next meal

– lipids are eliminated when carbohydrates are consumed, so, to lose weight we need carbohydrates in every meal.

– a healthy diet contains bread, rice, pasta and cereals but in a moderate amount, because only the EXCESS of starch can be transformed into lipids.

-cereals contain fibers which accelerate intestinal transit and prevent constipation. Colon cancer risk is also diminished.

– the fibers from cereals have an antioxidant and noninflammatory effect; with vitamin E, these fibers prevent risk for developing arterial diseases. Wheat germs increase vitamin E absorption and decrease cholesterol level

– oil extracted from the wheat grain is called oryzanol and influences cholesterol absorption

– corn flakes assure the daily dose of B vitamin for pregnant women

– carbohydrates increase serotonin level

– cereals are low in fat

– white bread contains cellulose which does not affect cholesterol level and cereal bread contains hemicellulose which decreases cholesterol level