Weight loss and breakfast : Breakfast benefits health and can aid in weight loss

BOSTON, MA — A healthy breakfast that includes high-fiber cereal can help you lose weight and keep diabetes, heart disease, and stroke at bay — especially when the menu also includes nonfat milk and fruit.

Research suggests that breakfast eaters are leaner than those who skip the morning meal, with one study reporting that missing breakfast was associated with a fourfold increase in the risk of obesity, says the February issue of Harvard Men's Health Watch. High-fiber cereals are central to breakfast's health benefits and can help men reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even intestinal polyps and colon cancer. Look for breakfast cereals that provide at least 6 grams of fiber per serving, suggests Harvard Men's Health Watch, but make sure your choice is low in sugar (less than 10 grams per serving). Add nonfat milk and bananas, berries, or apple slices to turn that bowl of fiber into a tasty meal.

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