Fortified breakfast cereals can be a useful source of fibre, vitamins and minerals – but some are considered ultra-processed food.

We're often told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Get this decision right and your nutritious morning meal can help keep you energised and focused for whatever challenges come your way. Yet the choice of what to eat for breakfast – or what to give your children if you have them – can feel overwhelming at times.

If, like 53% of the US population you decide to go the breakfast cereal route every week, then you can take your pick. There's porridge oats, granola, muesli, bran flakes, corn flakes, and puffed rice – the options are endless, with each colourful box promising to deliver a healthy, nutritious meal. Yet, although breakfast cereals have traditionally been seen this way, some scientists warn that these are ultra-processed snacks – and they are not actually good for us at all.