A processed breakfast cereal is fortified with multiple B vitamins but contains high added sugar and preservatives; a serving of whole-grain cereal naturally contains some B vitamins and fiber but fewer added micronutrients. Which evaluative statement best describes how to counsel a patient who wants both convenience and nutrient adequacy?

• A. Recommend choosing a minimally processed whole-grain cereal with lower added sugar and complementing it with other nutrient-dense foods (e.g., milk, fruit, yogurt) or a targeted supplement if a specific deficiency risk exists, rather than relying solely on a heavily sweetened fortified cereal.
• B. Suggest removing all processed foods from the diet and consuming only raw grains without cooking or fortification, which will always provide optimal micronutrient profiles without any need for supplementation or complementary foods.
• C. Advise exclusive use of the heavily fortified cereal because added sugars are irrelevant to micronutrient delivery and fortification always negates the need for other dietary components.
• D. Recommend never combining fortified cereals with dairy or fruit because additional foods will dilute the concentration of added vitamins and reduce absorption of the fortified nutrients.

Answer: (A)