Courtney Allan
Food & Wine

Pizza vs cereal: Nutritionist weighs in on the healthier breakfast option

A US dietician has suggested that eating a slice of pizza for breakfast is a healthier choice than a bowl of breakfast cereal.

Chelsey Amer, US dietician, caused a stir when she said the following, according to the Chicago Tribune:

“You may be surprised to find out that an average slice of pizza and a bowl of cereal with whole milk contain nearly the same amount of calories,” Amer said.

“However, pizza packs a much larger protein punch, which will keep you full and boost satiety throughout the morning.”

Many nutritionists were quick to refute her claims. Although many cereals are known for their high sugar content, you don’t have to make that choice for breakfast.

Health’s contributing nutrition editor, Cynthia Sass, said that not all breakfast cereals have to be off limits.

"A cereal made with whole grains, nuts or seeds, and fruit with organic grass-fed milk or plant-based milk is a better choice over a grease-laden pizza made with processed meat like pepperoni on a white flour crust," she says.

Even though pizza sounds like a much more delicious option, you can even have leftovers for breakfast.

"Even a second helping of dinner set aside from the previous night can make a healthy breakfast if it's chock full of veggies and balanced—for example, a generous portion of veggies sauteed in EVOO with herbs tossed with a lean protein, or chicken breast or lentils with a small scoop of quinoa," Sass suggests.

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breakfast, cereal, pizza, food, health, healthy option