Grits, a breakfast favourite throughout much of the southeastern United States, are now a healthy way to start the day, at least according to Quaker Oats. The company has just relaunched its Quaker Instant Grits brand, which has always been a good source of iron, after fortifying the mixture with calcium.
The company said that it had taken the decision to reformulate the recipe for its Instant Grits as a result of the growing scientific evidence to show that a nutritious breakfast can help children perform better at school. The iron, it said, can help aid cognition while the calcium aids development of strong teeth and bones.
Since the body does not naturally produce calcium, it must be supplemented each day. However, more than half of American children's diets lack calcium, according to research from the Baylor College of Medicine cited by Quaker.
Quaker Instant Grits provide 10 per cent of a child's recommended daily calcium intake. As an added bonus, by substituting milk for water when preparing Quaker Instant Grits, a child can receive more than 35 per cent of their recommended daily calcium needs, according to the company.
The Instant Grits are available in eight different varieties: American Cheese, Three Cheese, Country Bacon, Real Butter, Ham and Cheese, Red Eye Gravy and Country Ham, Cheddar Cheese and Original, and take just one minute to prepare.