WASHINGTON — Nearly four years ago the American Heart Association (AHA) published a statement, which made recommendations for limiting sugar intake levels.

These recommendations—which propose cutting sugar consumption to historic and unrealistic lows—were not based on any scientific finding of negative health impact, a point made by the authors in the statement itself: “research tools thus far have been insufficient to confirm a direct link [between sugar and obesity].”

Unlike fat intake recommendations, which are based on scientific consensus, the AHA sugar intake recommendations are derived from mathematical formulas which lack the scientific underpinning to be used as the basis for official or unofficial quantitative recommendations.

Starting each day off with a healthy breakfast has long been considered the foundation for any balanced diet. Studies show that adopting this one, simple habit, can lead to a number of health benefits, including lower body mass index (BMI), higher test scores among children and faster metabolism.

But having access to a healthy breakfast isn’t easy for everyone. Children of lower income households often don’t have the option of sitting down for eggs and bacon before school. Cereal seems like a natural fix: It’s inexpensive, can be eaten on the go and doesn’t require adult supervision—a major consideration in a household with two working parents.

It takes more than just availability and convenience to make a healthy breakfast, though. Getting kids to eat breakfast may be half the battle, but making sure they’re eating the right breakfast is just as important.

There’s Only One Sugar… And It’s Not High Fructose Corn Syrup

WASHINGTON— There has been a recent flurry of press reports about “sugar.” The New York Times published a commentary by Mark Bittman proclaiming that a new population study was proof that “obesity doesn’t cause diabetes: sugar does.” The Times later issued a correction. 

(WASHINGTON) February 27, 2013—The Sugar Association takes seriously issues regarding the global prevalence of diabetes. However, it is difficult to reconcile the correlation drawn between sugar and diabetes in a new study, given the fact that Americans are consuming far less natural sugar today than we were for most of the last 100 years, with a dramatic 35 percent decline during the last 40 years, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Update: New York Times Misrepresents Study, Issues Correction