Iñarritu MC, Vega FL

Language: Spanish
References: 4
Page: 8-12
PDF size: 51.14 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Objective. To review the nutrient content of the so called "cereal bars", which can be found in the local mart, and to issue a judgment about the nutrient contribution to children four to ten years old.
Material and methods. Sixteen cereal bars were inspected, that were available in Mexico City’s market on October 2000. The nutrient content of the five brands available at that time were recorded. The theoretical nutrient contribution of these bars were confronted with the Dietary Reference Intakes, for children four to ten years old, taking in to consideration in this analysis that about one-third of these dietary intake should be consumed at breakfast.
Results and conclusions. With the exception of one commercial brand, all the other bars had reasonable amounts of energy, proteins, iron, zinc and calcium, they also contribute with a generous amount of vitamins; therefore they can enhance the nutrient content that some children insufficiently consume at breakfast, due to a lack of appetite. Nevertheless, these bars should not be considered as a breakfast substitute.

REFERENCES

1. Milner JA. Functional foods: the US perspective. Am J Clin Nutr 2000; 7(suppl): 1654S-9S.

2. National Research Council. Recommended Dietary Allowances 10a ed. Washington: National Academy Press 1989.

3. Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary reference intakes: A risk assesment model for establishing upper intake levels for nutrients. Washington: Academy Press 1998.

4. Gesell A, Ilg FL, Ames LB, Bullis GE. El niño de 5 a 10 años. Buenos Aires: Paidos 1958: 27-52.