Cereal is best original

3 weeks ago I started gym, again. The objective? To eventually flex my 6-pack abs. They will sadly not be showcased this summer as I will be working during the holidays. This is in keeping a promise I made to myself years ago that before I turn 30 years old, I must have developed 6-pack abs. With almost 18 months left, time was running out.

Many of us have read and been told that if you want to reach that ideal weight - its 80% diet and 20% exercise, (some people also add genetics to these percentages). In essence, its all about snacking on the right things. My dilemma has been my weakness for everything sweet and the weight gain 101 is that a moment on the lips is a lifetime on the...hips, cheeks, stomach and every other bit.

Cereals (primarily those high in fibre) target individuals like me with weight loss challenges of eating that specific cereal for breakfast, lunch and supper.  Now in my pre-gym days, cereal would never make it onto my grocery list but this was to be a new chapter in my life and cereal would soon be the center of my weight-loss. 

So I take my trip to my local grocer to start the first chapter of 'good health' and as I turn into isle 7, it felt was as though I had stepped into a candy factory, so many colours and choices that extended down the entire row. You had cereals that were high in fibre or protein; corn; wheat-free; fat-free; raspberry; chocolate; oats; pops; and the list goes on. When did we shelf so many cereal options? Back in my day, you either had  All Bran, Corn Flakes, Wheat Bix and on special occasions - Rice Krispies. My mother unfortunately didn't believe in anything chocolate coated, which was the only other option at the time.

According to a 2013 report compiled by Euromonitor International for the South African market: Pioneer Foods lead breakfast cereals with a value share of 32%. Kellogg Co SA at second position with a 28% value share and Tiger Consumer Brands at  third position with a share of 18%. 

In 2010, the world cereal industry was worth an estimated $28 billion according to Report Linker. Cereals are always changing something and relaunching new flavours, ranges, nutritional content and sizes. The giant brands have kept in-trend with the needs of their target market - parents, children and the health-conscious. I mean 15 years ago, we didn't have granola bars, also known as cereal bars but they are here today and as popular as ever. 

Interesting fact? Known or unknown - the difference between candy bars and a snack bar is largely marketing, rather than the actual nutritional content.

During my cereal research, I bumped into a site called rappersandcereal.com. This is a fiction site showcasing popular American music artists with cereals named after them. So 2Pac Shukar with "Kelloggs Corn Pacs", Drake with "Frosted Drakes" and many others. Endorsing a musician can be complicated due to the nature of the industry and the personalities, however a short-term association could induce trial and possible profits.

Isle 7 might have surprised me with options but it couldn't deter me from my love of Otees. It doesn't matter what the sugar value of Otees are, they are the perfect meal replacement and snack. You can eat them with or without milk. Love it! Many skeptics might view this as a step back but as an optimist - these are my steps of being weened off sweets and hopefully weight-loss.

The cereal industry has proven to me that with change comes innovation and who knows, tomorrow we might walk into isle 7 and find red-velvet corn flakes, cereal in a form of pills or granola bars with an ingredient that burns body fat. Here is to great abs, cereal innovations and my love for Otees. Even though they have bubblegum, chocolate and strawberry flavours, they have kept the original and that's all that matters.