Eating Wheat Bran Flakes for Weight Loss

Eating Wheat Bran Flakes for Weight Loss
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Kellogg's Wheat Bran Flakes is a cold breakfast cereal that is low in calories but rich in nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. Wheat Bran Flakes is distinct from other breakfast cereals because it is relatively low in sugar and rich in fiber, characteristics that can be beneficial for overall health. Additionally, the nutritional profile of Wheat Bran Flakes may encourage weight loss. No one food alone triggers weight loss, so be sure the rest of your diet is low in calories for optimal results.

Calories

Eating Wheat Bran Flakes can be beneficial for losing weight because the cereal is low in calories. A 3/4-cup serving of this cereal provides 90 calories, which comprises just 4.5 percent of the daily suggested intake of 2,000 calories. Wheat Bran Flakes are lower in calories than many other breakfast foods, such as oatmeal, which contains 225 calories. If you switched from eating 3/4 cup of oatmeal to 3/4 of wheat bran flakes each day, you'd save 945 calories in one week, enough to lose more than 1/4 lb.

High Fiber Content

Wheat Bran Flakes can be a beneficial addition to your weight loss diet because each 3/4 cup serving contains 5 g of dietary fiber. This nutrient is important for a number of reasons, including keeping your blood sugar levels stable and promoting feelings of satiety. Because fiber promotes satiety, it can help you reduce your calorie intake.

Low Fat Content

Eating Wheat Bran Flakes can help you lose weight because it is low in fat. Dietary fat is the most calorie-dense nutrient, as it contains nine calories per gram. Thus, low-fat foods tend to be low in calories and can aid in weight loss. A low fat content can also be beneficial because even though fat is higher in calories than carbohydrates, research from the October 1994 issue of "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" indicates that fat is less filling than carbohydrates, so you may overindulge on high-fat foods.

High Vitamin C Content

Each serving of Wheat Bran Flakes provides 100 percent of the daily suggested intake of vitamin C. This vitamin is involved in promoting immune health, but some research suggests it can be a dietary aid. A March 2008 study published in the "International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research" found that supplementation of vitamin C encouraged increased weight and fat loss.

Concerns

Wheat Bran Flakes may be detrimental to your weight loss because the cereal is moderately rich in sodium. Each 3/4 cup serving provides 210 mg, or about 9 percent of the daily suggested intake of sodium. Too much sodium can lead to water retention and increased weight. Wheat Bran Flakes are also low in protein, with 3 g per serving. While protein is not vital for weight loss, high-protein diets can be efficient for fat and weight reduction.

References

Article reviewed by Eric Lochridge Last updated on: Jun 20, 2011

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