Kellogg’s CEO criticized after suggesting ‘cereal for dinner’, but is that healthy for you?

(NewsNation) – Kellogg’s CEO Gary Pilnick is facing backlash after suggesting that cash-strapped households save money by eating cereal for dinner.

Pilnick, who oversees the company that produces Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops, and Corn Flakes, floated the idea last week during an interview with CNBC. His comments come on the heels of federal data showing Americans are spending more on food than they have in 30 years.

“We’re advertising about cereal for dinner,” Pilnick said, noting that the price of a bowl of cereal with milk and fruit is less than $1. At the time, the messaging was “landing really well,” he added.

Consumers in the United States are spending 11% of their disposable income on food — the highest it has been since 1991, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Pilnick has since faced criticism online from people accusing the CEO of being tone-deaf and trying to “make money off of people during times of crisis.”  

Consumers already were turning to cereal after breakfast, however. More than 25% of Kellogg’s cereal consumption is for meals other than breakfast, including dinner and snacking, Pilnick said.

But is it truly a viable and healthy option for dinner?

Well according to Health Canada, some breakfast cereals actually do contain key nutrients including thiamine, niacin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, folic acid, magnesium, iron, and zinc.

Carol Dombrow, a registered dietician and nutrition consultant with the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation, spoke with Global News and stated that it probably depends on the type of cereal you’re having.

“The concept is interesting… breakfast for dinner. There’s really nothing wrong with it. What’s wrong is having a sugar cereal as the center of your plate, as you’re not getting a balanced diet,” she said.

Katherine Shary, a registered dietitian at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta who spoke with TODAY, seemed to agree, as long as you were sticking to healthier cereal and other healthy foods.

“It’s OK to grab a bowl at night as long as you’re eating fruits, vegetables, protein, and whole grains at other times of the day,” she stated.

Shary also told TODAY that you should skip the colorful cereal or any with dried fruit already in the box. These types of cereal tend to be coated with sugar. She also advised against cereal described as “frosted” or containing “honey.”

If you’re looking for a relatively cheap alternative to cereal, Dombrow shared with Global News that she recommends oatmeal or eggs.