The #1 Worst Breakfast That Ages You Faster, Says Dietitian

Your body gradually undergoes many changes as it ages. For example, your heart health will change as your blood vessels and arteries begin to stiffen, your bones will begin to get weaker, and your muscles will lose natural flexibility over time. You may also notice major changes in your digestion and metabolism with each passing year.

Although these changes are normal and ultimately unavoidable, there are certain shifts you can make in your diet that can help slow down the aging process and help you maintain a healthy, thriving life as you get older. But how do we know which foods can help, and which ones may cause more damage?

According to Courtney D'Angelo, MS, RD, author at GoWellness, one of the worst breakfast foods you can eat that ages you faster is sugary cereal.

How sugary cereal ages you faster

Let's face it—cereal is one of the quickest, cheapest, and easiest breakfast foods to consume in the morning. And when you're someone who is always busy or on the go with very little time to prepare food for yourself in the morning, chowing down on a bowl of cereal is a tempting choice.

Unfortunately, D'Angelo warns that this food often contains ingredients like added sugars and refined flour that can age you faster. A 2015 review published in the journal Skin Therapy Letters highlighted that this is ample evidence that shows excess added sugar in the diet causes the body to produce advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which have been associated with skin aging.

"[Added sugars and refined carbs] are all highly inflammatory, and the more you consume, the higher your chances of weight gain, chronic low-level inflammation, and poor gut health—all of which can age you much faster than you'd like," says D'Angelo.

What to eat instead

Instead of reaching for sugary cereal, D'Angelo recommends incorporating some anti-inflammatory foods into your morning routine instead.

"My go-to recommendation is oatmeal, and the best part about oatmeal is that you can add whatever healthy ingredients you'd like to get the nutrients you need. For example, you can add whey protein to help you stay full longer, fruits to add antioxidants, or flaxseeds to get omega-3, which is important for heart and brain health. Really, it's all about finding the right ingredients for the diet you want to follow."

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