There's so much news about Michael Phelps right now, I bet the guy could write his own ticket for the foreseeable future. When I heard a news blurb that he was going to be on a cereal box by next month I didn't think much about it.Naturally I figured Mr. Phelps would be on the front of a Wheaties box, but apparently that's not the case. According to an article in the New York Daily News, the swimming champion will lend his image to Frosted Flakes (move over Tony). Some nutritionists are a little concerned about the message that sends to kids. While Michael Phelps can handle the excess sugar of Frosted Flakes, experts are concerned about regular cereal eaters who don't burn as many calories as he does.
I admit I was a little surprised by Michael Phelps' choice. It makes more sense when you think about how many calories he eats and burns through in one day, but you'd think the guy would be a little more interested in promoting slightly more healthy breakfast choices. Would you buy Frosted Flakes just because Mr Phelps was on the box?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-21-2008 @ 9:19AM
Baron said...
Frosted Flakes aren't the worst thing out there, the extra sugar does indeed hurt them, but it is better than no breakfast at all!
http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/breakfast-cereals/1555/2
Wheaties aren't a whole lot better:
http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/breakfast-cereals/1566/2
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8-21-2008 @ 9:38AM
ChillyWilly said...
Hell yeah. Concern over sugar cereal promotion? I wish some of these people would understand the word "moderation" I know the obesity problem in this country is bad, but I can tell you it's not from eating sugar cereals.
Good for Michael Phelps for going with something other than the expected norm.
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8-21-2008 @ 10:21AM
Gnat! said...
Nah, I don't think it's far enough! I saw that 12,000 calorie diet all over the net; that guy's picture needs to be on the Little Caesar's boxes.
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8-21-2008 @ 10:44AM
lizandrsn said...
Hello --
Are you new here?
Welcome to the Land of the Almighty Dollar!
Don't hate the kid for cashing in on his achievements and fame. He worked his caboose off to win 8 Gold Medals, and deserves to spend his TV-Q any way that will afford him to retire when he can no longer participate in swimming.
We should all be so motivated.
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8-21-2008 @ 11:43AM
jcurtis said...
I would buy Frosted Flakes anyways. They aren't bad for you. They are by far my favorite sugar cereal. Keep in mind that while there are slightly more heathly breakfast cereal choices, there a cereals that are much worse. If he was pushing cookie crisp or little chocolate doughnuts I would questions him.
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8-21-2008 @ 11:46AM
Anna said...
He didn't have a choice. Kellogg's sponsored him, not General Mills.
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8-21-2008 @ 11:52AM
Astin said...
Fried egg sandwiches? Nearly a case of Gatorades daily? Pancakes and French Toast with powdered sugar? A whole pizza? He should be pushing healthier choices? His diet is largely made up of sugar and fried goods.
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8-21-2008 @ 2:09PM
Sandy said...
I absolutely applaud Michael Phelps for helping to put some balance and reason to this health and dietary insanity that is overwhelming kids with nonsense and fears about perfectly good food. We all grew up on it just fine. And obviously he has, too. Cereal is just breakfast fuel and Frosted Flakes are GRRRReat!
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8-21-2008 @ 2:31PM
benjikim said...
Astin, you do realize he needs to consume at least 12,000 calories a day? I can imagine eating is more of a chore than a pleasure for him. So he should eat whatever gets him through the day.
The food he eats (high sugar/fat) are jam packed with calories per serving. If he tried to eat the caloric equivalent from consuming fruits and veggies, he'd have to eat a lot more servings, which isn't efficient when he has to train most of the day.
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8-22-2008 @ 8:33AM
Carol Fena said...
Do the cereal people know that this is going to annoy people. They must know and
that is what they wanted--to get your attention to this product. They know also
that people who already like their cereal will like the photo on the box more. And
look at the colors--bright orange certainly attracts. This is marketing everyone.
You need to read the ingredients on cereal boxes not just look at photos, and then decide
if this product is good for you.
We have an obesity crisis in this country and it
is affecting our childrens' future health. Here is a blog I came across on a childrens nutrition website about Phelps' promotion that I found right on and you may too.
http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2008/08/phelps-phrosted-phlakes-phlub.html
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