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Driving home from this morning’s workout, I craved cereal. Sugared cereal.
I don’t keep sugared cereal in the house. That’s dangerous. In fact, the only thing we have that’s close is Trader Joe’s “blueberry morning” instant oatmeal. Blueberry morning instant oatmeal is a poor substitute for Lucky Charms. So although I knew I shouldn’t, I went out of my way to go to the grocery store.
Being a frugal man, I stopped at the discount grocer first. It wasn’t open. I drove another mile to Safeway, which is always open.
I strode boldly to the cereal aisle, but then paused at the choices before me. Which cereal to choose? Which one struck my mood? Kris likes Golden Grahams, so I picked up a box and started toward the registers. But I paused at the Lucky Charms. I like Lucky Charms better than Golden Grahams. I compared the nutritional information. Golden Grahams have 120 calories and 13 grams of sugar per serving (I may be off on that last number), but Lucky Charms have only 110 calories and 11 grams of sugar per serving. The Lucky Charms are better for me! I put the Golden Grahams back.
But then I decided to compare all the cereals.
Look! Corn Pops and Sugar Smacks both have tons of sugar — 15 grams per serving. No wonder the milk is always so sickly sweet after I eat those. They have almost 50% more sugar than Lucky Charms. Huh. Honeycomb has less sugar yet. And look at the Fruity Pebbles! They’ve actually got three grams of fiber per serving.
It was a tough choice, but ultimately I selected the Fruity Pebbles. Only I couldn’t go through with it. “This is bullshit,” I told myself. (Yes, I swear to myself, more than I’d care to admit.) “If I’m really craving something sweet, I should just make honey toast. I have some of that Ezekiel bread at home. At least if I make some toast — and a cup of cocoa — I’m getting moderately healthy stuff. Plus then I won’t have the box of cereal in the house.”
I put the Fruity Pebbles back on the shelf, and I walked out of the store.
Normally for breakfast I eat a sausage and two eggs. This morning, however, I think I’m going to let myself have the honey toast.
Mac
15 responses so far ↓
1 Red // May 2, 2008 at 9:42 am
I am desperately craving cereal now, thanks. It’s been a long time since I’ve thought about the deliciousness of Honey Comb or Fruity Pebbles.
Me Want Honeycomb!
2 Brent // May 2, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Kashi GoLean. It’s sweet and cruncy and has tons of protein and fiber. I’d take that over Honey Comb or Fruity Pebbles any day.
3 Dan // May 2, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Haha! Nice vignette. I respect your eventual willpower.
4 Debbie // May 2, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Yay for the non-scale victories!
5 Andrew is getting fit // May 2, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Well done. We’ve all been there and the results haven’t always been as good!
6 metroknow - AlmostFit.com // May 2, 2008 at 2:52 pm
For me, it was always Cap’n Crunch - sometimes even with Crunchberries.
I wrote about my estimation of cereal’s impact on my health, here:
http://almostfit.com/2008/03/17/did-cereal-make-me-fat-you-decide/
7 metroknow - AlmostFit.com // May 2, 2008 at 2:55 pm
(Hmm…left a comment but it must have been filtered –)
For me I always craved Cap’n Crunch, and sometimes with Crunchberries. I wrote a piece about my cereal obsession (and the health effects on my generation) a couple of months ago - link is in my signature.
8 Susan // May 2, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Your post made me chuckle.
I’ve certainly succumbed to the sweet cereals! I think anyway you look at it, ANY sugary, artificially flavored cereal is not the best choice. Good for you in avoiding the temptation and choosing the honey toast instead. I call that a major feat.
9 The real Mr. Funk // May 2, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Nice one bruvva. Now if only I could do the same with the liquor
10 Will // May 2, 2008 at 7:20 pm
I’m glad to know that others have the same temptations. I just need to learn to put the stuff back on the shelf and walk away… or better yet not even venture into the store. You made me realize that I have little willpower when it comes to food. That is my next obstacle to conquer!
11 Kaila // May 2, 2008 at 8:08 pm
haha! I know what you’re talking about! And FYI, the flaxseed bread from trader joe’s makes THE BEST toast bread ever. And everyone I know who’s had it agrees. I love toast and jam.
12 alex // May 2, 2008 at 11:43 pm
I second Kashi GoLean. I used to eat that stuff even when I wasn’t trying to lose weight.
13 Beth // May 5, 2008 at 5:21 am
Ok, which is better for you…..Total, All Bran, Special K, Raisin Bran, Shredded Wheat or old fashioned oatmeal?
My favorite cereal is Cinammon Toast Crunch or one of the store brand equivalents. Just had some here at my desk about an hour ago….10 grams of sugar per serving, 130 calories per serving. Serving equals 3/4 cup.
14 greenman2001 // May 5, 2008 at 4:11 pm
I wonder how this battle of will would have gone if you’d eaten 300 calories while sitting on the bench in the locker room immediately after your workout?
15 Greg C. // May 7, 2008 at 10:35 am
Congratulations on conquering the sugar cereal demon. In some ways I WISH I craved things like that. I don’t- I never eat cereal other than regular oats.
The thing is I crave things that are a lot “worse” and substantial. Like a triple whopper, a huge steak ( with all accompaniments) or a whole pizza. And when I eat breakfast it is like: loaded omelet, sausage, home fries, bagel/biscuit. Being a sugar person would probably help me, though it’s probably saved my teeth. But I guess each of us have our own cravings and trouble foods.
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