What’s breakfast without cereal when you were a kid?? Super convenient and taste bud pleasing, but is cereal healthy?? Cereal does come from processed grains. How cereal is made is highly processed starting with processing the grains into flour, then adding sugar and water, undergoing high temperatures to shape the cereal, and then drying out the product into the final shapes. Nutrients are added, hence many of the labels stating fortified with vitamins and minerals. This crunchy food is typically enjoyed with milk or yogurt in puffed, flaked, or shredded form.
The major trouble that comes with cereal is the added sugar. Consumers are often misled by false claiming labels. You must read the nutrition facts, not the claims that say they can lower cholesterol or help fight diabetes. The next problem with cereal is that most people eat well over one serving at a time. Most cereals abide by ½ cup to 1 cup per serving with around 200 calories. However, a “bowl” of cereal is much more than this amount. Many cereals also contain refined grains, so it is important to find those that are whole grain so that more of the nutritional value is intact. To help, always look for cereals that contain at least 5 grams of fiber per serving. Another worry with cereal is that it can pack on the sodium. Therefore, between the added sugar and sodium, it’s no wonder we want to keep adding more and more to the bowl if there is milk left. Some cereals contain up to 500 mg per serving. When it comes to sugar, some cereal equates to eating cookies. Cereal also does not contain much protein at all, which means it doesn’t necessarily keep you satiated unless of course you eat a large quantity of it.
There are close to 6 million types of cereal. There are many crispy and crunchy brands. Cereals is quick and easy and of course has a longer shelf life than eggs and toast since it is a highly processed food. There are also hot cereals such as oatmeal and grits. All types of cereal either come in corn, wheat, or rice form. This ready to eat packaged option makes the morning routine much easier to manage. The worst types of cereals are those made for children, and they can contain up to 50% sugar. The packages only claim the good qualities, but it is important to read further into your selection. All the colors and shapes make cereal fun and attractive. Even in adulthood we can be nostalgic for a good bowl of cereal. For some, it’s a late-night snack too. Always read labels, always. Then make more informed choices because how you start your day can direct your energy, mood, and performance.
Dry, itchy skin is often associated with the skin condition called eczema (atopic dermatitis). It is marked by being long lasting and flaring up from time to time. For people who have eczema, their irritated skin will look like a rash that might be swollen. Other symptoms include crusting skin, small bumps, thicker skin, dry/cracked skin, and/or raw skin. Eczema can start in early childhood and continue through adulthood, flaring up from time to time. It is not contagious.
There is a gene associated with skin that deals with protection. After all, our skin’s purpose is to protect all that is under it. Some people with eczema lack protective genes. The weak skin then doesn’t retain moisture as well, and this reduces the protection against bacteria and allergens that are irritants. They’re also more prone to other types of allergies. Other people have too much of the bacteria called Staphylococcus which affects the good bacteria in the skin. The barrier skin provides is then not as healthy or effective. Because the barrier is weak, the person becomes at higher risk for immune responses such as inflammation.
Taking care of the skin is very important and having a skin care routine helps. When a person has eczema there are preventative measures to take to avoid flare ups. Moisturizing the skin a minimum of twice per day is good practice to follow. Shea butter and lotions can help seal moisture in. Because soaps can be especially irritating to people with eczema, it is recommended to only use cleansers that are dye free, alcohol, and fragrance free. Applying after bathing is best. Bathing should be done every day. There are certain triggers that can be avoided as well. Stress, cold air, dry air, heat, sweat, pollen, mold, pet dander, dust mites, stress, and rough wool fabric, should be kept away as much as possible. All of these are self-care measures, but if ineffective there are other options.
A health care professional can prescribe medications such as antibiotics to ward off infection when flare ups strike. There are pills that can be taken regularly to keep flare ups away as much as possible. Prednisone is an example of this type of medication. There are injectable biologics options too. Dupilumab (Dupixent) is an example of these. There are ointments and creams that can be topically applied which are typically corticosteroid products. For more severe cases, wrapping the area with the products on using a wet gauze can help seal in the moisture. Light therapy is another option which incorporates UVA and/or UVB rays.
Itching and scratching is the worst habit to form. Children must be taught not to this. Anti-itch and anti-allergy medications can be taken to help against this irritation. Skin plays a huge protective role for us. In turn, we must protect it. We don’t always get drawn the best hand to deal with, but if eczema is part of life, then taking care of it the right way is critical. Quality of life depends upon this. We must live in our own skin, so keeping the home comfortable just feels better.