- Travis and Jason Kelce are collaborating with General Mills to launch a new breakfast cereal.
- The cereal, Kelce Mix, contains a combination of their breakfast favorites.
- However, the brothers have been called out for promoting a cereal that could be unhealthy.
- The brothers responded to the criticism by claiming it was okay in moderation.
- Nutritionists have weighed in, saying children would be better off eating less sugar.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and his brother Jason have announced that they are doing a collaboration with General Mills, bringing to market a cereal based on their childhood favorites.
The creation, which is called “Kelce Mix,” drew inspiration from a discussion the pair had on their “New Heights” podcast last year in which the siblings ranked their favorite cereals.
It features a combination of Travis and Jason’s three favorites: Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, and Reese’s Puffs all in one box.
There will also be four limited edition Kelces’ Pick collectible boxes with these three cereals as well as Honey Nut Cheerios.
However, while Travis Kelce seemed stoked about the deal, calling it a “full-circle moment,” some, like Dr. Calley Means, have had a less rosy outlook on the celebrity endorsement.
Means, the best-selling author of “Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health” and the founder of TrueMed, recently took to his X account with the blunt advice that “[a]thletes should stop sponsoring food that destroys kids’ metabolic health.”
Jason Kelce soon clapped back via his X account, saying, “I grew up on these products, Calley, and I was a perfectly healthy fit child because I enjoyed them in moderation and when on the go for quick meals when both my parents didn’t have time to cook.”
But is Kelce right? Can these cereals really be a part of a healthy diet?
How unhealthy is Kelce Mix cereal?
Varsha Khatri, RDN, with Prowise Healthcare, noted that, while Kelce Mix combines three familiar breakfast cereals, no specific information detailing ingredients has been made available.
“Nevertheless, such cereals are generally made up of a combination of sweet-tasting grains, man-made flavors and additives that may alter their nutrient content greatly,” she said.
Khatri went on to explain that children’s cereals tend to be made with a lot of sugar, sometimes containing as much as 12-15 grams per serving.
“This is already high since it could be about half the daily recommended sugar intake for children by the American Heart Association, which should not exceed 25g while a child is between ages 2 and 18,” she said.
Khatri additionally remarked that high levels of sugar intake have been associated with conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and dental problems.
Sugary cereals are also problematic because eating large amounts of sugar can increase blood sugar and cause energy crashes, leading to cravings for even more sugary foods.
“This cycle might be extremely injurious to the metabolic health of children due to their still-growing bodies that can highly suffer from what excess consumption of sugar does,” said Vashtri.
What can children eat that’s a healthier alternative?
Lesley Kumar, RD, CNS, a nutrition consultant with Ringside24, suggests that there are several breakfast options that are healthier for your child.
One is plain oatmeal that you’ve prepared yourself.
“Oatmeal is rich in fiber and can be naturally sweetened with fruits like bananas or berries, according to your preferences,” she explained.
Another possibility, per Kumar, is Greek yogurt with fresh fruit, which gives your child a healthy dose of protein and probiotics. “It can also be topped with nuts or seeds for added nutrients,” she suggested.
Nutritious smoothies made by blending fruits, vegetables, and protein source such as Greek yogurt or protein powder are also a great choice, according to Kumar.
However, if you really can’t live without cereal, she advised going for whole grain cereals like Cheerios or bran flakes. These are low in sugar and high in fiber.
“These alternatives offer balanced nutrition without the excessive sugar found in Kelce Mix,” Kumar concluded.
Takeaway
Kansas City Chiefs football players Jason and Travis Kelce are collaborating with the cereal manufacturer General Mills to release a cereal called Kelce Mix.
The cereal includes three of their favorites, including Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, and Reese’s Puffs.
The announcement hasn’t been without controvery, however, with Dr. Calley Means condemning the cereal as being unhealthy for children’s nutrition.
While the brothers were quick to defend the cereal as being healthy in moderation, nutritionists say breakfast cereals are often high in sugar, which can damage children’s growing bodies.
They say healthier options are foods like oatmeal, Greek yogurt, fruit smoothies, and whole grain cereals that are lower in sugar.
