Canada's Measles Outbreak Exceeds Cases in the U.S.
Canada's public healthy agency has recorded about 4,200 measles cases this year, more than three times as many as the 1,300 cases recorded in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The C.D.C. has also ranked Canada among the top 10 countries with the highest number of measles cases. It is the only Western nation on the list.
Alberta, which has low measles vaccine rates, has recorded about 1,600 cases. The largely conservative province has a deep and vocal level of skepticism about the public health system and vaccines, with many people mirroring some of the arguments made in the United States by the health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Measles is an airborne virus and one of the world's most infectious diseases, causing flulike symptoms and a rash. Severe cases can lead to hearing loss, pneumonia or swelling in the brain. Three people have died in the United States, while in Canada there has been one death, a premature baby who had contracted the virus in the womb.
The spread of measles has slowed in Ontario, the province with the largest number of cases. But health professionals say the opposite is true in Alberta, and many are criticizing the provincial government's public health response.
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CNN
35 minutes ago
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Covid-19 vaccine policy changes raise questions and concerns for US adults as summer wave ramps up
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Forbes
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Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle. However, she notes that cereal is an affordable, dependable choice to start the day for many: 'There are a lot of families who are struggling. And there's a lot of kids who don't want to eat breakfast. And cereal — and I will tell you, from my own personal experience — has been the go-to breakfast because it's quick. Kids are often rushing in the morning, and parents [are] as well.' Cereal, she says, is typically an easy, quick meal. 'If it's a matter of eating a bowl of cereal, even if it's something that you may deem not so 'healthy,' it's at least something that they're getting in before they go out the door. Or even as an adult goes out the door.' But with some cereals so laden with sugar that they border on candy, how can you make sure you're pouring yourself a bowl of goodness in those snatched A.M. moments? Here, LaForte guides us through what makes some cereals stack up better than others. Plus, keep scrolling for a nutritional comparison on some of the most popular 'healthy' cereal brands you can find in Canadian grocery stores. Fibre, sugar, balance: What to look for when shopping for cereal 'I think breakfast is a really good opportunity to get fibre in your diet,' LaForte says, adding that choosing higher-fibre cereal is an excellent starting point for a nutritious breakfast. Whole grains, of course, pack more fibre than their refined counterparts, so LaForte suggests checking ingredients lists to ensure what your cereal is made of. A 2015 study (the most recent stats available) from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shares LaForte's focus on fibre. It indicates that less than 25 per cent of Canadians age 19 and older get enough of the digestion-and-satiety aiding nutrient daily. Making a bowl of cereal into a balanced meal with staying power also means topping the cereal with things like fruit, seeds, nuts or yogurt, LaForte adds. Think classic options like sliced bananas and blueberries, or even pumpkin seeds and Greek yogurt. She also adds that variety is the key to good nutrition, so switching up the toppings and the cereals themselves — say, trying one made from corn and then one made from wheat — helps ensure you're getting different nutrients into your overall diet. Then there's sugar, an ingredient LaForte says 'people tend to eat more [of] than they need to.' Comparing nutritional labels and going for the lower-sugar option is an effective method to make sure you're pouring a healthier bowl of cereal. But, LaForte does note that since cereals are 'fortified with vitamins and minerals in Canada,' the sugary treats could be a source of nutrients for picky eaters and those facing food insecurity. While reducing added sugar where you can in your diet is an important part of healthy eating, so is ensuring that you're getting enough of key nutrients. Are popular 'healthy' cereal brands in Canada actually healthy? In the breakdown below, we've rounded up a variety of healthy cereals to see which ones are your best A.M. bet in terms of nutritional information per a one cup serving — not including milk. It's worth mentioning all of the cereals are sources of nutrients like potassium, calcium and iron, with a majority also having several vitamins. It turns out that Shredded Wheat is tough to beat with no sugar and a mere gram of fat alongside a high fibre and protein content. Müslix, meanwhile, packs more sugar and fat than you might expect. Fibre One, on the other hand, lives up to its name with a whopping 27 grams of fibre — just five grams less than an average adult woman needs daily. Shredded Wheat Original Calories: 180 Fat: 1 g Fibre: 6 g Sugar: 0 g Sodium: 0 g Protein: 5 g Fibre One Crunchy Original Calories: 140 Fat: 1 g Fibre: 27 g Sugar: 1 g Sodium: 220 mg Protein: 4 g Multi Grain Cheerios Calories: 120 Fat: 1 g Fibre: 2 g Sugar: 6 g Sodium: 160 mg Protein: 2 g Kellogg's Two Scoops Raisin Bran Calories: 180 Fat: 1 g Fibre: 7 g Sugar: 14 g Sodium: 170 mg Protein: 5 g Nature's Path Smart Bran Calories: 140 Fat: 2 g Fibre: 23 g Sugar: 11 g Sodium: 230 mg Protein: 5 g Nature's Path Multigrain Flakes Calories: 210 Fat: 2 g Fibre: 10 g Sugar: 8 g Sodium: 210 mg Protein: 6 g Kellogg's All-Bran Original Calories: 180 Fat: 3 g Fibre: 18 g Sugar: 10 g Sodium: 320 mg Protein: 8 g Kellogg's Vector Maple Flavour Calories: 160 Fat: 1 g Fibre: 3 g Sugar: 12 g Sodium: 160 mg Protein: 10 g Kashi GoActive Mixed Berry Crunch Calories: 290 Fat: 4.5 g Fibre: 14 g Sugar: 15 g Sodium: 85 mg Protein: 14 g Kashi GoActive Honey Almond Flax Crunch Calories: 300 Fat: 8 g Fibre: 15 g Sugar: 17 g Sodium: 230 mg Protein: 15 g Kellogg's Müslix Almond Raisin Calories: 240 Fat: 2.5 g Fibre: 7 g Sugar: 17 g Sodium: 150 mg Protein: 6 g In the end, no matter if you're eating Shredded Wheat or Coco Puffs, LaForte touts the importance of starting your day with breakfast: 'Food is the fuel for our bodies. If you want to be able to function and do your best during your day, you need to fuel your brain. 'Some people don't like eating breakfast. However, if you can get something in, anything — a yogurt, some fruit, a balanced breakfast is the best. But if you can just get something in within an hour of waking up, that's going to be the best for your body.'
