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What’s zero calories, yet very satisfying? Hint: It’s not your breakfast cereal.

"Okay, now they’ve gone too far. Now they’re telling me that breakfast cereal is terrible for you."
  • March 11, 2026
  • Ken Lass
  • Featured, First person, Lass Words, Latest News
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What’s zero calories, yet very satisfying? Hint: It’s not your breakfast cereal.

Okay, now they’ve gone too far. Now they’re telling me that breakfast cereal is terrible for you.

I tried my best to keep my cool when they struck down my burgers, fries, fried chicken and pizza. I kept up a brave front when they nixed soup, sandwich meat and snack chips. I even agreed to bite the bullet when they debased my favorite sodas, and then decided diet sodas were even worse! 

RELATED: Check out more stories on faith and culture from Ken Lass.

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But now nutritionists are saying you shouldn’t eat cereal. Too much sugar and processed ingredients, they say.

This is a real blow.

From childhood on, I have started my days with the likes of Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies, Lucky Charms and Cocoa Puffs. My best friends growing up were Tony the Tiger, Lucky the Leprechaun and that cheerful little trio Snap, Crackle & Pop.

Did they lie to me when they told me on the box that cereal was full of oats and wheat and protein — things that would help me grow up to be big and strong? 

Next thing you know, they’ll be saying that big glass of orange juice I drank every morning was bad. Oh wait, they’re already saying that. Sugar is the culprit again.

Add that to the list of deceptions I heard as a child. I was told if I went swimming within an hour after eating a big meal I would get cramps and drown. I was told if I continued to contort my face into grotesque expressions to tease my friends, my face would stay that way. I was told cracking my knuckles would give me arthritis.

Now I learn that heaping bowl of Cap’n Crunch I knocked down before going to school each morning was unhealthy.

Is nothing sacred? 

What hasn’t changed

Well, at least one thing is. It’s remained true throughout the many years — God’s Word hasn’t changed. I was taught as a child that the path to Heaven was Jesus as Lord and Savior, and it still is. Not only that, but prayer and ministry are sugar free, non-fattening, low in cholesterol, good for the heart and enlightening for the mind. 

So even if I have to pour something into my breakfast bowl that looks and tastes like wood chips, I can take comfort in the sweet taste of God’s love. Zero calories, yet very satisfying. 

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