# Are corn flakes good for me? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 31, 2007, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-corn-flakes-good-for-me/406256 "2007-05-31T22:29:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-corn-flakes-good-for-me/406256/21 "2007-06-01T12:47:15Z")
[QUOTE=Common Tater] Sez who? /s [/QUOTE] It would depend on your lifestyle, of course but, as others have posted above, daily breakfast with cereal is normally better than breakfast with sausage and beer. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-corn-flakes-good-for-me/406256/22 "2007-06-01T13:18:14Z")
How come Kellogg’s don’t sell Fruit’n’Fibre in the US? I could live on that stuff, it’s delicious and nutritious. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-corn-flakes-good-for-me/406256/23 "2007-06-01T13:43:29Z")
Round here that cereal was most recently sold by Post, but was recently discontinued. Regional and specialty cereal makers may still carry variants. Bob’s Red Bill, just for one, has at least a couple of varieties. Also, the Cheerios, Special K, Total, and other mainstream cereal lines have added varieties with dehydrated strawberries or other fruits in them America does love its cereal. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-corn-flakes-good-for-me/406256/24 "2007-06-01T16:01:16Z")
[QUOTE=Usram] How come Kellogg’s don’t sell Fruit’n’Fibre in the US? I could live on that stuff, it’s delicious and nutritious. [/QUOTE] Just out of curiosity, what makes you sure that it’s nutritious? I’m not doubting you, I’d just like to see what an independent analysis says (ie, not what’s on the box). ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-corn-flakes-good-for-me/406256/25 "2007-06-01T16:20:24Z")
[QUOTE=Mr. Moto] Well, you have to take the Corn Flakes the way the Kellogg brothers originally intended. Of course, that means no alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, spicy foods or sex. [/QUOTE] No meat, either. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-corn-flakes-good-for-me/406256/26 "2007-06-01T17:23:54Z")
[QUOTE=Mr. Moto] that means no … spicy foods or sex. [/QUOTE] Regular sex is still okay, though, right? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-corn-flakes-good-for-me/406256/27 "2007-06-01T17:44:24Z")
Nope. John Harvey Kellogg was married to his wife for over 40 years, but they slept in separate rooms and never had sex. Outspoken as he was against sex, he was even more outspoken against masturbation, believing the practice to cause every kind of moral and physical decay. His substitute for these pleasures were the aforementioned abstemious diet, sunbathing, exercise, and enemas so vigorous that one machine in his employ could introduce fifteen gallons of water in mere minutes. In addition to all this, Kellogg was naturally an advocate of “race strengthening” and eugenics. He and his brother gave us Corn Flakes. When I was a kid I would eat them at the breakfast table with my pap, before we went fishing. I still eat them today. The nice people who make them have little connection to the nasty ones who invented them, and I generally think more of my pap when I eat them than I do of Wellville. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-corn-flakes-good-for-me/406256/28 "2007-06-01T18:56:16Z")
[QUOTE=Mr. Moto] Nope. John Harvey Kellogg was married to his wife for over 40 years, but they slept in separate rooms and never had sex. Outspoken as he was against sex, he was even more outspoken against masturbation, believing the practice to cause every kind of moral and physical decay. His substitute for these pleasures were the aforementioned abstemious diet, sunbathing, exercise, and enemas so vigorous that one machine in his employ could introduce fifteen gallons of water in mere minutes. … [/QUOTE] If you read the bio of Kellogg, you may become convinced that Anthony Hopkins’ seemingly over-the-top portrayal in “Wellville” was actually tastefully restrained. Kellogg on the subject of masturbation: > [@](#): > > A remedy [for masturbation] which is almost always successful in small boys is circumcision…The operation should be performed by a surgeon without administering an anesthetic, as the brief pain attending the operation will have a salutary effect upon the mind…In females, the author has found the application of pure carbolic acid to the clitoris an excellent means of allaying the abnormal excitement. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-corn-flakes-good-for-me/406256/29 "2007-06-01T18:58:03Z")
Well, if everyone refrained from sex, he wouldn’t have much of a market anymore, what with cereal being generally a kid’s food and all. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-corn-flakes-good-for-me/406256/30 "2007-06-01T19:21:36Z")
[QUOTE=Duckster] So where does one pour the milk? [/QUOTE] In the butt, Bob. ---
**Author:** ![Myglaren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Myglaren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myglaren)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-corn-flakes-good-for-me/406256/31 "2007-06-01T19:30:25Z")
[QUOTE=Mr. Moto] Nope. John Harvey Kellogg was married to his wife for over 40 years, but they slept in separate rooms and never had sex. Outspoken as he was against sex, he was even more outspoken against masturbation, believing the practice to cause every kind of moral and physical decay. His substitute for these pleasures were the aforementioned abstemious diet, sunbathing, exercise, and \*\*enemas so vigorous that one machine in his employ could introduce fifteen gallons of water in mere minutes. \*\* In addition to all this, Kellogg was naturally an advocate of “race strengthening” and eugenics. He and his brother gave us Corn Flakes. When I was a kid I would eat them at the breakfast table with my pap, before we went fishing. I still eat them today. The nice people who make them have little connection to the nasty ones who invented them, and I generally think more of my pap when I eat them than I do of Wellville. [/QUOTE] That’s not an enema - that’s a car wash, that is! ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-corn-flakes-good-for-me/406256/32 "2007-06-01T19:56:04Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] Yes. Lots of empty calories. Not bad for you, per se, but not particular nutritious. Just as importantly, not filling-- so you’re going to be hungry again shortly. [/QUOTE] Just to elaborate on this a little, whole grain carbs are more filling, meaning you eat less, and the starches are converted to sugars slowly. Refined carbs convert quickly, causing a spike in blood sugar and triggering hunger – meaning you eat more. Whole grains are also great at preventing colon cancer. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-corn-flakes-good-for-me/406256/33 "2007-06-01T20:18:18Z")
[QUOTE=tdn] Just to elaborate on this a little, whole grain carbs are more filling, meaning you eat less, and the starches are converted to sugars slowly. Refined carbs convert quickly, causing a spike in blood sugar and triggering hunger – meaning you eat more. [/QUOTE] Yep. And don’t be fooled by “whole wheat”. It’s mostly a marketing term and does not mean “whole grain”. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-corn-flakes-good-for-me/406256/34 "2007-06-01T20:22:17Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] Yep. And don’t be fooled by “whole wheat”. It’s mostly a marketing term and does not mean “whole grain”. [/QUOTE] Correct. And even some packages of bread will say “whole grain” on the front, but it carries as little weight as if it said “Tastes yummy!” Read the ingredients. I look for fiber content, myself. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-corn-flakes-good-for-me/406256/35 "2007-06-01T20:34:59Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] Just out of curiosity, what makes you sure that it’s nutritious? I’m not doubting you, I’d just like to see what an independent analysis says (ie, not what’s on the box). [/QUOTE] Blimey, “delicious and nutritious” was a just light-hearted reference to the sort of spiel they use to sell these things. I didn’t expect to be asked for a cite. And surely all food is nutritious, by definition? Anyway, my store brand Fruit & Fibre (not the real Kellogg’s deal, but close enough) has 7.7g per 100g fibre by AOAC analysis, whatever that is. Not too shabby. That figure is from the nutritional information on the box, but I see no reason to doubt it. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-corn-flakes-good-for-me/406256/36 "2007-06-01T20:42:59Z")
[QUOTE=Usram] Blimey, “delicious and nutritious” was a just light-hearted reference to the sort of spiel they use to sell these things. I didn’t expect to be asked for a cite. And surely all food is nutritious, by definition? Anyway, my store brand Fruit & Fibre (not the real Kellogg’s deal, but close enough) has 7.7g per 100g fibre by AOAC analysis, whatever that is. Not too shabby. That figure is from the nutritional information on the box, but I see no reason to doubt it. [/QUOTE] Oh, I thought you were being completely serious. In that case, never mind! ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-corn-flakes-good-for-me/406256/37 "2007-06-01T21:39:27Z")
So I guess I’m going to make the leap from Corn Flakes to Wheaties, as [Wheaties](http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-C00001-01c20PG.html) offer a bit more fiber. ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-corn-flakes-good-for-me/406256/38 "2007-06-01T21:52:07Z")
'ell Switch to corn groats then. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2007, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-corn-flakes-good-for-me/406256/39 "2007-06-02T00:23:46Z")
[QUOTE=Usram] Anyway, my store brand Fruit & Fibre (not the real Kellogg’s deal, but close enough) has 7.7g per 100g fibre by AOAC analysis, whatever that is. Not too shabby. That figure is from the nutritional information on the box, but I see no reason to doubt it. [/QUOTE] Very good fiber content. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-corn-flakes-good-for-me/406256.md?page=1)