BREAKFAST BARS, IS IT GOOD FOR HEALTH?

Today, grabbing breakfast is easier than ever before. As you dash down the stairs with briefcase in hand, you grab the car keys and your breakfast - a prepackaged cereal bar. But does a bar take the place of a complete breakfast?
With almost a whole grocery aisle to choose from, nutritional value depends on which bar you choose. Some bars contain a good deal of fiber with little or no fat. Others include added vitamins and minerals. But, unfortunately, most more closely resemble candy bars and contain refined sugar and plenty of fat - hardly nominees for complete breakfast choices.
The perfect breakfast might include a high fiber source (like whole-grain cereal), skim milk and a piece of fruit. But on those days when you're running late (and you know breakfast is your most important meal), you're better off grabbing something than doing without. Go ahead and reach for that breakfast bar, just remember to choose a bar that includes at least 2 grams of fiber and no more than 3 grams of fat.
Before you buy, check the label carefully for sugars (some of which are hidden under names like high-fructose corn syrup, honey and brown sugar), which can quickly add empty calories with few nutrients. Also consider other made-for the-road options: bagels, nonfat muffins, bananas and other fruits.
ALUMINIUM AWARENESS
Most calcium supplements contain calcium citrate, which is recognized for its fast absoption and nonconstipating properties. A recent study at the university of Colorado Medical Center in Denver, however, shows that the use of calcium citrate increases the body's absorption of aluminium. Ironically, raised aluminium levels are tied to bone loss and, possibly, to Alzheimer's disease, though follow-up research is necessary.
The Colorado study looked at 30 healthy women ages 21-45 who supplemented with 800 mg of calcium (which contained calcium citrate) daily. After an average of 38 days, the amount of aluminium in the women's blood and urine doubled.
Aluminium is not normally easily absorbed by the body, but calcium citrate opens pathways between cells so that aluminium can rapidly penetrate the body.
Don't stress out just yet: More pieces to the puzzle are needed. What you can do now, however, is to take note of the aluminium you consume (rather than calcium citrate) whenever possible. Aluminium is found in pickles, nondairy creamers, some teas and antacids. The metal can also seep into food from aluminium pots and pans.