Do does your typical morning routine involve grabbing a skillet, frying two eggs, and tossing them on a slice of toast? Even. That is, until recently. A few weeks ago, I learned that two eggs, which altogether contain about 12 grams of protein, are well below the 30 grams of protein recommended by dietitians for breakfast.
Since then, I’ve been striving (much more than just eggs) to find ways to increase my protein intake, which led me to Magic Spoon Cereal. This nutrient-dense cereal is packed with protein to help you get through the busy day after breakfast. Plus, they come in a range of deliciously fun flavors and nostalgic packaging.
Why dietitians say 30 grams of protein for breakfast is the gold standard
According to Brierley Horton, MS, RD, co-host and co-creator of the Happy Eating podcast, and Vanessa Rissetto, MS, RD, CDN, CEO and co-founder of Culina Health, the amount of protein we need for breakfast varies from person to person, but that two eggs just won’t be enough in most cases. “Protein intake recommendations should be based on an individual’s height, fitness level, age and goals, but generally speaking around 25-40 grams is a good starting point. for breakfast,” Horton and Rissetto previously shared with Well + Good.
So why is there so much hype about adding loads of protein to your breakfast? And before anyone says otherwise: it’s far from being about #earnings. Research shows that getting enough protein can help keep your immune system strong, support healthy skin and nails, and increase your longevity.
How Magic Spoon cereal can help you hit your protein quota
While a number of store-bought cereal brands contain high amounts of sugar and additives, Magic Spoon, a grain-free and gluten-free cereal company, is a *blessed* exception (pun intended). The brand offers a wide range of tasty, no added sugar and high protein cereals, ranging from fun flavors like Cinnamon Roll and Peanut Butter to Cocoa and My All Time Favorite Birthday Cake. “Magic Spoon is a high-protein way to start your day off right and stay full all morning, with 12-14 grams of complete protein, just four to five grams of net carbs, and no artificial ingredients,” says Gabi. Lewis, co-founder of Magic Spoon.
To put things into perspective in the protein department, check out this detailed chart of how Magic Spoon stacks up against other comparable products on the company’s website. Bottom Line: Froot Loops, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and Reese’s Puff contain only about two grams of protein per similarly sized serving (36-38 grams). Meanwhile, Magic Spoon Cereal contains approximately 12-14 grams of protein per 36-38 gram serving. But wait, isn’t that as much protein as two eggs and under the recommended 30 gram threshold? Indeed, it is. However, when you’ve exhausted your options for egg breakfast recipes (and their price continues to skyrocket), a bowl of cereal is also a great option for boosting your protein intake.
Additionally, the folks at Magic Spoon Cereal recommend combining the cereal with other high-protein foods like Greek yogurt to hit that 30-gram goal. (Yes, a three-quarter cup serving of Chobani Whole Milk Greek Yogurt has about 16 grams of protein.) So 12-14 grams of Magic Spoon cereal plus 16 grams of Greek yogurt… I’ll let you do the math.
Lewis also points out that the protein in Magic Spoon comes from whey protein concentrate, which contains all of the essential amino acids. This means that it is a complete source of protein, i.e. it contains all nine essential amino acids: lysine, cystine, methionine, threonine, histidine, leucine, tryptophan, valine and phenylalanine . “The human body is able to produce 11 of the 20 amino acids on its own. But the other nine must be obtained from daily food sources,” said Scarlett Full, RD and nutrition scientist, previously shared with Well + Good.
TL; DR? Eating 30 grams of protein for breakfast is easy using a delicious bowl of cereal in fun flavors (ahem, maple waffle) and colorful packaging that’s mood-boosting when paired to other delicious protein-rich foods.
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