Cereal killer

Chew on this: Eating the wrong kind of cereal could double your risk of heart disease. So, actually I take that back -- don't chew on that. Last year, our friends from down under released information on this so-called "Cereal Killer" issue after reviewing 53 studies on cereal-grain intake and cardiovascular health.

Confirming that eating cereal made from 100 percent whole grains proved beneficial to heart health, they found the exact opposite for cereals that used refined grains. The true danger? Highly processed grains tend to raise blood sugar levels and C-reactive protein, while at the same time reducing HDL (good) cholesterol levels.

These factors, independently, but especially when combined, all play a part in raising your risk of heart disease. A good move would be avoiding these high-sugar, refined grain cereals altogether and instead opting for cereals that are known to be made from 100 percent whole grains.