Table Talk: Why Cereal Is Going Out Of Style

This week's Family Dinner Table Talk, from HuffPost and The Family Dinner book:

Topic: The demise of breakfast cereal.

Story to read: Cereal's Future Is In Jeopardy

What to say to your kids: For a whole bunch of reasons, Americans are eating less cereal for breakfast than they used to. Partially, there's the larger issue of people not eating breakfast at all, a meal we need for energy and better health overall, because they don't have time. Other cereal-shunners could actually be watching out for their health. According to an Environmental Working Group review, kids' cereal has more sugar than cookies or Twinkies. Of course, there are healthier cereals to choose from, and nutritious breakfast recipes that are just as yummy. If cereal is on the decline because more people are indulging in delicious avocados for breakfast, that might not be such a bad thing!

Questions for discussion:

• Do you always eat breakfast? How do you feel when do vs. when you don't?
• What are some foods you like to eat for breakfast other than cereal?
• Do you think cereal companies should make healthier cereals? Or should we stop eating cereal altogether?

In her cookbook, The Family Dinner, Laurie David talks about the importance of families making a ritual of sitting down to dinner together, and how family dinners offer a great opportunity for meaningful discussions about the day's news. "Dinner," she says, "is as much about digestible conversation as it is about delicious food."

We couldn't agree more. So HuffPost has joined with Laurie and every Friday afternoon, just in time for dinner, our editors highlight one of the most compelling news stories of the week -- stories that will spark a lively discussion among the whole family.