Monday, June 1, 2009

They're GRRRRRRRRROSS!

I grew up in a household where we weren't allowed to eat most kid cereals. My mom read an article when we were little where some scientists fed a bunch of rats only cereal and then watched which ones would have enough nutrition to sustain the rats. Those cereals that kept the rats alive were deemed healthy enough by Mother to be given to us kids. They incuded such favorites as Raisin Bran, Cherrios, and Life. They also, thankfully, included Lucky Charms. I'm not sure how the Lucky Charms made it into the bunch; the rats must have eaten only the oaty bits and left the sugary, dye-filled "marshamallows." But however heaven intervened to allow the rats to survive on Lucky Charms, we rejoiced. Of course, we ate them in the opposite manner of the rats: marshmallows first, oaty bits last (if at all).


And so, it shouldn't have surprised me when I came into kitchen last week to find my children's Charms bowls looking like this:



I think it's a physical impossibility for children to eat all of the cereal in a bowl of Lucky Charms. And that's why I've decided not to buy it anymore. Actually, to be completely honest, I have never bought it. Some other shopper in the family has. But after finding cereal bowls like this for several days in a row, I realized that I was pretty much allowing my kids to eat only sugary marshmallow candy bits for breakfast. A big bowl of them. So the rest of the box of Yucky Charms went into the trash. And I had one of those annoying moments of clarity where you realize your own parents weren't purposely trying to torture you as a child, but were actually, probably, ahem.....right. There, I said it. You were right, Mom. And I too intend to try to feed my kids more healthy foods. Starting with cereal. I probably won't rely on the rats test. No, I think my general method of choosing cereal will be based on the presence of toys in the box, animal spokesmen on the commercials, and general appeal of the cereal itself. If it looks yummy, like something my kids would enjoy eating, it's out. Only the cereals that are questionable or definitely disgusting looking will probably make the grade.


Now if I can just convince the other shopper in the house to stop comming home with the cereals that look exactly like Chips Ahoy. But I fear that task might be more impossible than choking down the soggy oaty parts in a bowl of Lucky Charms.


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15 comments:

CaraDee said...

Cameron and Eamon both did this. After one box, they were DONE. Luckily, once they are over 3 or 4, they will usually eat the whole bowl. Mainly out of gratitude. I never buy it anyway, unless I'm pregnant, and I hide it well.

rychelle said...

i always tried to create the "perfect bite" with lucky charms, a spoon full of oatie bits with one marshmallow. if i ate the marshmallows alone, it would make me feel sick. they were too sweet.

Crystal Hadlock said...

Avery does the same thing! She will only eat the marshmallows! How funny.

Crystal Hadlock said...

Avery does the same thing! She will only eat the marshmallows! How funny.

Devri said...

My kids love the gross cereals.. I coupon, so I get them free, so who cares about health right?

on the funny- Maka ate his first bowl of cereal in his life time yesterday.. He about puked!

Kristina P. said...

We never ate kid's cereals because we were poor.

Chelsea said...

We were never allowed to have sweet cereal growing up so when I went to college I went hog wild. I lived on generic Lucky Charms (Marshmallow Mateys!) for all 4 years, and I was in the best shape of my life!

Mia said...

We are going through a cinnamon toast crunch phase right now. The ones from costco have added fiber, but I am not sure that qualifies them as healthy.

Christie said...

My kids do the same thing. And those nasty marshmellows are so disgusting. Thankfully, my kids don't like cereal very much, so I can usually stick to the type of stuff that sustains rats.

Financial Aid for College said...

The creepy thing about the FIRST Consumer's Reports article on cereals (back in the early 70s), was that they actually fed one group of rats on the BOXES the cereal came in. Those rats did as well as most of the cereal-fed rats. Now THAT'S sad.

Very Funny blog, Arianne!

mCat said...

I'm the worst Mom/Meemaw ever! I totally go for the sugar cereals. Otherwise, what's the point? : )

tiburon said...

Lucky Charms should only be eaten dry.

Shawn said...

My son's the same way----now its just multi grain cheerios....

Notme said...

the OTHER shopper in my house religiously buys cookie dough for eating ( not baking) and its SO annoying.

Anonymous said...

I get the bulk, sugary cereals for myself to eat as a late night snack. Mason is healthier, eating Froot Loops and Cheerios. Lately he's been into Cinnamon Toast Crunch, which does have some fiber in it...somewhere.