5 Podcasts About Beauty, Skin Care and Self-Care
Some of these podcasts cut through the marketing noise and TikTok trends to deliver unbiased, straightforward tips on everything from serums to supplements, while others shine a spotlight on impossible beauty standards in Hollywood and beyond.
'The Beauty Brains'
For every skin care product that genuinely works, there are plenty doing nothing (or even doing more harm than good), and savvy marketing can make it hard to tell which is which. 'The Beauty Brains' helps to distinguish the beauty science from the pseudoscience, and it is presented by Perry Romanowski and Valerie George, two cosmetic chemists with a combined 40 years of experience in the business. Despite their shared expertise as formulators, the show doesn't feel like inside baseball; it's more like an advice show with smart friends, with the hosts sharing evidence-based answers to questions about products, supplements and anti-aging regimens. With a back catalog that dates to 2018, there's a wealth of information for skin care novices and pros alike.
Starter episode: 'Is Exfoliation Just as Important as Using SPF?'
'Fat Mascara'
Hosted by Jessica Matlin and Jennifer Sullivan, two beauty journalists who are also friends, this nine-year-old series is a staple for anyone looking to keep up with skin care and makeup trends. Hourlong episodes are released twice a week — one is typically a guest interview, while the other features Matlin and Sullivan chatting through beauty news and giving their unfiltered opinions on what products and trends are legit. Their interviews are wide-ranging — recent guests have included a venture capital executive discussing what investors in beauty look for, and the actress Brooke Shields, who spoke about wrestling with the beauty standards that come with a career on camera.
Starter episode: 'Skincare Supplements & How Diet Affects Beauty with Dr. Rajani Katta'
'Look Behind the Look'
Hosted by Tiffany Bartok, a filmmaker, this engaging series offers a detailed exploration of what it takes to put beauty onscreen. 'Look Behind the Look' features conversations with makeup artists, costume designers and hair stylists about their work, focusing primarily on the film industry. Episodes are released throughout the year, but the show really hits its stride during each awards season — so far this year Bartok has interviewed those pros who've worked on Oscar nominated films, including the beleaguered musical 'Emilia Pérez' and the Angelina Jolie-starring biopic 'Maria.'
Starter episode: 'Inside Whitney Houston's Makeup, Costumes and Music in 'The Bodyguard''
'Forever 35'
This long-running series started in 2018, right as the concept of 'self-care' was crossing over into the mainstream. Originally hosted by the writers Kate Spencer and Doree Shafrir (who billed themselves as 'not experts, just two friends who like to talk a lot about serums') the show is a cozy blend of friendly banter, personal product recommendations and reflections on the everyday habits that can make a difference to mental and physical well being. Regular episodes feature Spencer and Shafrir alongside various guests, which include fellow podcasters and writers as well as beauty experts. Spencer retired from the show last spring, and has since been replaced by Elise Hu, the author of 'Flawless,' about the rise of Korean skin care. Despite this shake-up, 'Forever 35' has retained both its format and its warmth and charm, and Hu brings a welcome new perspective to the mix.
Starter episode: 'How to Stay Politically Engaged Without Going Crazy With Leah Litman'
'You Must Remember This Presents: Make Me Over'
The film historian Karina Longworth has been producing her meticulously crafted and deeply researched podcast 'You Must Remember This' for over a decade, exploring unknown and underreported corners of movie industry history. This spinoff series aired in 2020, and chronicles eight stories about the intersection between Hollywood and the beauty industry. The stories are introduced by Longworth, but written and performed by different reporters, which lends a distinct tone and type of expertise to each one. One fascinating episode from Halley Bondy, a journalist, explores the story of Merle Oberon, who became the first Asian actress to be nominated for a best actress Oscar, but concealed her heritage by lightening her skin with bleach creams. With other episodes exploring ageism, fatphobia and misogynoir (a form of misogyny faced by Black women), 'Make Me Over' is a compelling glimpse into what has, and hasn't, changed in onscreen beauty standards over the past century.
Starter episode: 'Hollywood's First Weight Loss Surgery: Molly O'Day'
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Business Insider
8 hours ago
- Business Insider
Justice for Gen X
You know " main character syndrome?" The phenomenon/meme that posits that certain people go about life like they're the stars of their own private TV show? Gen X, broadly speaking, is suffering from a perpetual case of whatever the opposite of that is. They're the cool kids in the back of the classroom who act so chill that the teacher, the principal, the lunch lady, and all the other kids barely notice they're there. Gen Xers — people born from 1965 to 1980 — have a reputation for being the " forgotten generation." When the discussion of generations comes up in popular culture, work, or the media, it tends to be framed as baby boomers vs. millennials or millennials vs. Gen Z. Gen Xers are sort of just squashed in there, if they come up at all. To be totally transparent, we here at Business Insider play into this, too: We've published 166 stories about Gen Z, 123 stories about millennials, and 97 stories about boomers this year, while we've touched on Gen X only 34 times. And in many cases, Gen X has been a footnote in the story. It's complicated to unpack why Gen X is so overlooked and what it all means. Some of it's a question of numbers. Gen Xers are sandwiched between two giant, transformational generations. In some ways, they're a transitional bridge between them. "It's almost like Gen X was a journey from boomer to millennial, and it wasn't a destination at any point," says Jason Salmon, a standup comic whose comedy often focuses on the plight of Gen X. Online, he jokes, younger generations identify themselves with pronouns, and older generations do flags, but "we're in this middle ground, where there's no emoji for concert T-shirts." Some of Gen X's discourse disappearing act is contextual. Many Gen Xers, famously, were latchkey kids, often left to their own devices after school while their parents were at work. They grew up in the 1990s, a solid time for the US economically, but also an era of transition in technology, politics, and culture. They idolized Luke Skywalker as kids and then came of age with Kurt Cobain, a shift from romantic heroism to grunge cynicism. Whereas boomers were the " me generation" and millennials were the "me me me generation," Gen X has become the "meh" generation. "We historically have wanted to kind of fly under the radar," says Erin Mantz, the founder of Gen X Girls Grow Up, a blog and Facebook group for Gen X women. "We kind of were like, 'Whatever.'" Gen X's "whatever" attitude has translated to a society that's perpetually a little "whatever" about them. When I called up Megan Gerhardt, a professor of leadership and management at Miami University who's a Gen Xer herself, to ask for her take on the whole forgotten generation thing, I floated the idea that maybe a lot of it was about middle age. Gen X right now is 44 to 60, in the throes of what's supposed to be the most miserable era of life. Is the problem that talking about it too much would just be depressing? Gerhardt shoots down my thesis immediately. "It's kind of on brand that Gen X is overlooked," says Gerhardt, who is also the author of the book "Gentelligence: The Revolutionary Approach to Leading an Intergenerational Workforce." A big part of the issue is that the generation never became the most dominant force, population-wise. Millennials surpassed boomers as the US's largest generation years ago — Gen X never got there. "I don't think Gen X had as significant of a ripple because of the statistical side," she says. Another statistical issue: Gen X was the "least supervised" generation, she says. In many households, they were the first cohort of kids to have both parents working outside the home, and it happened at a time before they'd figured out day care entirely or helicopter parenting was in vogue. This meant many Gen Xers had to be more independent and autonomous. There was no tech for their parents to track them or cellphones to even reach them. Gen X kids were expected to watch TV after school and put dinner in the oven before Mom and Dad got home. They were the "supporting actors" in the family, Gerhardt says, not the focal point. It's kind of on brand that Gen X is overlooked. Jean Twenge, the Gen X author of "Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents — and What They Mean for America's Future," tells me many people of her generation say they don't feel as distinctive as the groups above or below them. Gen X's psychological profile tracks a shift across generations, she says, "when you look at, say, increases in positive self-views and individualism that grew steadily from boomers to Gen Xers to millennials." Citing the American Freshman Survey, which tracks the attitudes of incoming college freshmen in the US, Twenge notes that from boomers to Gen X to millennials, young people have become more focused on their financial well-being than developing a meaningful philosophy of life and have become likelier to think they're above average. Gen X was the transitional phase from one mindset to the other. This dynamic has left Gen X with a sort of generational middle-child syndrome. They feel overlooked and stuck between self-centered boomer parents above them and perhaps even more self-centered up-and-comer millennials behind them. But they're also good at figuring stuff out on their own, and a lot of them say they'd really rather be left alone. "We're super proud of how independent and resourceful we are," Mantz says. The ambivalent attitude Gen X embodies is appealing. Part of Salmon's Gen X routine is that the generation's slogan is, "I don't care," which can be empowering but also presents problems at work and for people just trying to muddle through life. Gen Xers were the first generation to reject the baby boomer work ethic and rat race. There's a reason movies such as "The Breakfast Club," "Slackers," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "Reality Bites," and "Office Space" have come to epitomize them. That's good in that there's more to life than work, but it's also difficult when there's a super-hungry generation coming up right behind you. As much as millennials prioritize work-life balance, they also want to get ahead, and their employers have been happy to help them get there. "When millennials came to the workplace, they brought that hustle culture of you work hard and you go for it, anything's possible for you," Gerhardt says. Many businesses created fast-track programs to get millennials into leadership, which often leapfrogged the Gen Xers in the room for some positions. It's left Gen X in a mediator role within the hierarchy and in a weird limbo. Given their age, Gen Xers do occupy the C-suite — about half of Fortune 500 CEOs are Gen Xers — but millennials now make up the largest share of managers in the workforce overall. As the Wall Street Journal notes, people in their 50s are losing share of CEO spots in the Russell 3000. Many Gen Xers feel like they're stuck with a boomer executive who won't retire or a millennial young gun who shot to the front of the line. They're the translators between the old and the young, trying to find common ground. It's worth pointing out that we haven't had a Gen X president yet, either — the cohort is more of a victim of America's political gerontocracy problem than anyone. Mantz says part of the reason she started her community for Gen X women was to try to get them to make a little more noise and get themselves into positions of power, despite their low-key inclinations. One part of the Gen X wealth story is they really took a hit from the financial crisis in 2007, 2008, at a time when they were just starting to build wealth. "We're having to shift gears. We are being forgotten. We're being taken for granted," she says. "We are such a strong and steady force at work, and if we don't start changing the way we amplify our generation, we will continue to be overlooked." Gen Xers also aren't particularly happy, and again, not just because they're middle-aged. Frank Infurna, a psychology professor at Arizona State University, tells me that Gen Xers in the US are reporting higher levels of loneliness, more depressive symptoms, and poorer physical health than other generations. He says their cognition is worse, too. He chalks it up to a variety of factors. Gen X started working during the transition from pensions to 401(k)s, when the onus for retirement savings switched from employers to employees, and many workers were still figuring the system out. They're the first generation raising kids in today's hypercompetitive educational environment, with all the pressures to make sure your children succeed. They've also lived through a lot of economic upheaval, even if we don't always talk about it. "They've dealt with the dot-com bubble burst, the Great Recession, and it's like, can you just have some stability when it comes to these big economic events?" Infurna says. Jeremy Horpedahl, an economist at the University of Central Arkansas who studies wealth across generations, echoes the point. "One part of the Gen X wealth story is they really took a hit from the financial crisis in 2007, 2008, at a time when they were just starting to build wealth," he says. "They have recovered since then, but it took a long time for them to catch back up to where baby boomers were at the same point in their life." The vibe from Gen Xers on their neglected status is mixed. On the one hand, a lot of them are fine doing their own thing. On the other hand, it's not particularly fun to have your experiences constantly erased from the narrative. It's not the case that Gen X hasn't left its mark on American culture. I think there's an argument to be made that in many ways it's more significant than boomers and millennials, but much of what Gen Xers have contributed doesn't get pinned to their age as much as other generations. " Friends" is Gen X, but nowadays doesn't really code as such. The same goes for " Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and " The X-Files" and " The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." They don't feel as generationally specific as, say, " Girls" or " M*A*S*H." Angelina Jolie is Gen X, as are Jennifer Aniston, Ethan Hawke, Will Smith, and we'll count Brad Pitt, too. We see them as the big movie stars, not the big movie stars of a certain era or age. Facebook's cofounder Mark Zuckerberg: solidly millennial. Apple's Steve Jobs: boomer. Google's founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin: Gen X, which I bet you never even thought about. To be sure, this isn't true in every arena. Beck, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam epitomize Gen X music culture, like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé do millennials these days. Gen X also got a bit of a nostalgia hit over the past few years, which millennials are only getting a taste of now and Gen Z is about 10 years away from. This may be the millennial in me talking — after all, Gen X teens were my "cool kids" growing up — but Gen Xers getting to fly under the radar does seem like a solid deal. Maybe they're not managers at work, but middle managers are getting phased out anyway, and besides the pay, being in charge of everything doesn't seem that awesome in terms of actually enjoying life. They don't get blamed for ruining everything like millennials do because they eat avocado toast, or Gen Zers because they stare weirdly. Gen X has a sort of soft power that comes with people not paying attention to you all the time. And they got to experience life before the internet, which, what a joy! They know how to adapt to technology, but they're also aware it can be tricky. "Before we got the internet, we got Terminator," Salmon says. Perhaps Gen X is finally about to have its moment in the sun, politically, culturally, etc. The '90s are making a comeback, after all. If not, whatever.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Yahoo
14 Things Boomers Say About Mental Health That Are Quietly Damaging
When it comes to mental health, there's a noticeable divide between generations. While millennials and Gen Z are more open and proactive about discussing mental health, boomers often come with a set of outdated phrases that can unintentionally do more harm than good. Maybe you've heard one or two of these before from a well-meaning family member, or perhaps you've said them yourself. Either way, it's important to recognize the impact these statements can have. Here are 14 common things boomers say about mental health that don't quite hit the mark and why we should think twice before repeating them. 1. "It's All In Your Head." This phrase is often used to dismiss feelings or mental health struggles as imaginary or insignificant. While mental health is indeed in your head, in the sense that it's related to brain function, that doesn't make it any less real or important. The brain is a complex organ, and mental health issues can be as debilitating as physical ailments. According to research published in the journal Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, mental health disorders can have physical manifestations, affecting the body in various ways. By saying "it's all in your head," the person inadvertently minimizes the real challenges of living with mental illness. Hearing this can make someone feel like their struggles are being trivialized or not taken seriously. It implicitly suggests that if the problem is "just in your head," you should be able to simply think your way out of it, which isn't how mental health works. This can lead to feelings of guilt or inadequacy when someone can't just "snap out of it." Encouraging people to seek help rather than dismissing their feelings is far more productive. Acknowledging mental health as a valid concern is crucial for healing and understanding. 2. "Just Toughen Up." The idea of "toughening up" stems from a time when emotions were often seen as a weakness to be conquered. However, this mindset can be severely damaging. It implies that experiencing emotions or mental health challenges is a failure of character rather than a natural part of being human. This phrase can discourage people from acknowledging their feelings and seeking help. It suggests that resilience means hiding your struggles instead of facing and managing them. For someone dealing with mental health issues, hearing "just toughen up" can feel like a slap in the face. It dismisses the courage it takes to confront mental health challenges. Everyone has different coping mechanisms and resilience levels, and telling someone to just toughen up ignores these individual differences. It can make someone feel alone, as if their struggles are a sign of weakness that they must hide. Instead, fostering an environment where vulnerability is seen as a strength can encourage people to seek the help they need. 3. "Back In My Day, We Didn't Have Anxiety." Boomers often reminisce about "simpler times," but this statement overlooks the fact that mental health issues have always existed. The difference now is that we're better at recognizing and diagnosing these issues. Studies have shown that anxiety and depression rates have been consistent throughout history but were often misunderstood or misdiagnosed. Just because mental health wasn't discussed as openly doesn't mean it wasn't there. Dismissing current mental health issues by romanticizing the past doesn't help anyone. Saying "back in my day, we didn't have anxiety" ignores the progress society has made in understanding mental health. It can make those struggling feel like their issues are a modern invention or trend rather than genuine health concerns. This mindset can lead to a reluctance to accept mental health as a serious issue that warrants attention and treatment. Opening up the conversation about how mental health might have been handled in the past versus now can create understanding across generations. Recognizing the progress in mental health awareness is vital for continued growth and acceptance. 4. "You Just Need To Get Out More." On the surface, suggesting someone get out more might seem like helpful advice, but it's often not that simple. While exercise and fresh air can be beneficial, they aren't cures for mental health disorders. Assuming that going outside will solve someone's mental health issues oversimplifies the complexities of these conditions. It also places the burden on the individual to "fix" themselves through sheer willpower. This can make someone feel like they're not trying hard enough if they don't see improvement. For someone experiencing mental health challenges, hearing "you just need to get out more" can come off as dismissive. It ignores the internal battles they might be facing, which can't be alleviated by a simple walk in the park. Mental health care often requires a multifaceted approach, including therapy, medication, or other treatments. While lifestyle changes can support mental health, they shouldn't be presented as the sole solution. Encouraging professional help and ongoing support is a more productive approach. 5. "You're Just Being Dramatic." Labeling someone as dramatic when they express mental health concerns dismisses their feelings. It suggests that their emotions are exaggerated or not genuine, which can be incredibly harmful. This mindset can lead to a person feeling invalidated, heightening feelings of isolation and shame. According to psychologist Dr. Susan David, emotions are data, not directives, meaning they provide information about our experiences and shouldn't be dismissed as mere drama. Recognizing emotions as valid responses to life events is crucial for mental well-being. Hearing "you're just being dramatic" can make someone question their perceptions and emotions. It can lead them to internalize the belief that their feelings aren't important or worthy of attention. This can discourage them from seeking help or talking about their experiences, which is the opposite of what they need. Creating a safe space where emotions can be expressed without judgment is essential for mental health support. Validating experiences rather than labeling them as dramatic fosters better understanding and healing. 6. "Snap Out Of It." The phrase "snap out of it" suggests that mental health issues are a choice or a temporary mood that can be easily shaken off. This is far from the truth; mental health conditions are complex and often require professional intervention. Telling someone to snap out of it minimizes the real struggle they face daily. It implies that they're choosing to feel this way and can just as easily choose not to. This perspective is not only unhelpful but can be damaging to someone's mental health journey. For someone who is already feeling overwhelmed, hearing "snap out of it" can add to their distress. It can cause self-doubt and lead them to question why they can't just change how they feel. Mental health issues aren't temporary bad moods that can be wished away. They require understanding, patience, and often, professional help. Encouraging someone to seek therapy or talk about their feelings is a far more supportive approach. 7. "You're Fine, Stop Worrying." Telling someone they're fine as a way to address their concerns can come off as dismissive. While this might be intended as reassurance, it doesn't acknowledge what the person is experiencing. According to a study published by Clinical Psychology Review, validation and acknowledgment are key components in supporting those with anxiety. Simply telling someone to stop worrying disregards the valid emotions they're experiencing. Recognizing their feelings and offering genuine support is more effective. When someone is told "you're fine, stop worrying," they might feel like their concerns are being overlooked. This can lead to frustration and a sense of isolation, as their feelings aren't being taken seriously. It might also discourage them from speaking up about their concerns in the future. Acknowledging someone's worries and discussing coping strategies can help them feel supported and less alone. Understanding and empathy go a long way in supporting mental health. 8. "Everyone Has Problems." While it's true that everyone faces challenges, this statement can trivialize individual mental health struggles. It implies that because everyone has problems, one should just deal with their own without seeking help. This mindset can discourage people from opening up about their mental health needs. The reality is that everyone's experiences are different, and comparing them can lead to misunderstanding and lack of support. Each person's mental health journey is unique and deserves attention and care. Hearing "everyone has problems" can make someone feel like their issues aren't worthy of attention. It can foster a sense of shame or guilt for wanting or needing help. This perspective can prevent people from seeking the support they need, as they might feel like they're overreacting. Acknowledging that while everyone has problems, each person's situation is unique can create space for understanding. Encouraging open discussions about individual experiences is key to better mental health support. 9. "Therapy Is For Crazy People." This outdated stereotype about therapy is not only inaccurate but also harmful. Therapy is a tool for anyone looking to understand themselves better or needing support, not just for those with severe mental illness. Characterizing therapy in this way can prevent people from seeking the help they need. It reinforces the stigma around mental health and getting professional help. Therapy should be seen as a resource for growth and healing, not as a last resort for those labeled as "crazy." For someone considering therapy, hearing "therapy is for crazy people" can reinforce negative stereotypes. It can lead them to question the validity of their own need for support. This mindset can result in people delaying or avoiding the help that could benefit them greatly. Promoting therapy as a positive and proactive choice can help break down these harmful stereotypes. Encouraging an open dialogue about the benefits of therapy can make it more accessible and less stigmatized. 10. "Just Pray About It." While faith and spirituality can be important components of mental well-being for many people, they aren't substitutes for professional mental health care. Telling someone to "just pray about it" can dismiss the need for other forms of treatment. This phrase suggests that prayer alone can resolve mental health issues, which isn't the case for everyone. Combining faith with therapy or other treatments can be more effective. It's important to respect each person's approach to mental health and offer support beyond religious advice. For individuals struggling with mental health, "just pray about it" might feel like their struggles are being minimized. It can make them feel guilty if prayer doesn't bring the relief they're seeking. Mental health issues often require a multifaceted approach, including spiritual, medical, and therapeutic support. Encouraging people to explore various avenues for healing respects their journey and needs. Supporting someone in finding the right combination of treatments is more helpful than suggesting prayer as a sole solution. 11. "You're Just Lazy." Connecting mental health struggles to laziness is a harmful misconception. Mental health issues can impact energy levels, motivation, and daily functioning, but this isn't due to laziness. Labeling someone as lazy can add to the shame and guilt they might already be feeling. It overlooks the real challenges that come with mental health conditions. Understanding that mental health issues can affect someone's ability to function is crucial for offering support. Hearing "you're just lazy" can be incredibly invalidating for someone dealing with mental health issues. It discounts their efforts to manage their condition and can discourage them from seeking help. This mindset can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-criticism. Recognizing the difference between laziness and the effects of mental health issues is important for providing appropriate support. Encouraging empathy and understanding over judgment fosters a supportive environment. 12. "It's Just A Phase." Describing mental health struggles as "just a phase" minimizes the person's experiences and challenges. It suggests that their feelings and behaviors are temporary and will naturally resolve, which isn't always the case. Many mental health conditions require ongoing management and support. This phrase can discourage people from seeking help, as it implies their issues aren't serious. Accepting that mental health isn't always a passing phase is crucial for effective support. For someone experiencing mental health challenges, being told "it's just a phase" can be disheartening. It can make them feel misunderstood and dismissed. This mindset might prevent them from acknowledging the seriousness of their condition and pursuing necessary treatment. Recognizing that mental health issues can be ongoing and require professional help is vital. Supporting someone in getting the help they need rather than dismissing their struggles as temporary can make a significant difference. 13. "You're Overthinking It." While overthinking can be a component of anxiety, reducing someone's mental health struggle to overthinking is dismissive. It implies that the solution is as simple as thinking less, which oversimplifies the complexity of mental health issues. This mindset can discourage people from expressing their feelings or seeking help. It suggests that their struggles are self-imposed and easily controlled. Understanding that mental health is more than overthinking is important for providing real support. For someone dealing with mental health challenges, being told "you're overthinking it" can feel invalidating. It can make them question the legitimacy of their emotions and experiences. This can prevent them from reaching out for help or discussing their situation further. Recognizing that mental health is more nuanced than just overthinking is crucial for offering genuine support. Encouraging open conversation and understanding can help those struggling feel less alone. 14. "You'll Get Over It." The phrase "you'll get over it" implies that mental health struggles are something one can simply move past with time. While time can help with healing, it isn't a cure-all for mental health issues. This statement can be dismissive and invalidate the person's current experiences and challenges. Mental health often requires active management and support, not just waiting it out. Acknowledging the need for ongoing support and treatment is important for effective mental health care. Hearing "you'll get over it" can be discouraging for someone dealing with mental health issues. It can make them feel like their struggles are transient and unimportant. This mindset might prevent them from seeking the help they need, as it downplays the seriousness of their condition. Understanding that mental health is a complex issue that requires attention and care is essential. Offering empathy and support instead of dismissal can make a significant difference in someone's mental health journey. Solve the daily Crossword
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
Gen Z is ditching boxed cereals at breakfast: ‘Couldn't pay me to eat them'
Once the breakfast of champions for millions of Americans, cereal seems to be losing its crunch — especially among younger generations who are redefining the morning meal. Sales of boxed cereal, once a pantry staple for generations, have been declining in the United States for over 25 years. A temporary pandemic-era bump – when more Americans had time for sit-down breakfasts – wasn't enough to help. Cereal sales in the U.S. dropped over 13% from nearly 2.5 billion boxes in 2021 to 2.1 billion in the same period this year, according to Nielsen IQ. Since the 1990s, grab-and-go options like Nutri-Grain breakfast bars and Clif Bars have posed a challenge to cereal. Now, yogurt cups and protein shakes are also stealing the spotlight. Experts claim this isn't just about convenience, but rather represents a generational shift in how people fuel their mornings. Members of Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, especially are rethinking the way millennials, Gen X, and baby boomers approach breakfast, according to Kenton Barello, a vice president at market research firm YouGov. 5 Once the breakfast of champions for millions of Americans, cereal seems to be losing its crunch — especially among younger generations who are redefining the morning meal. AP Gen Zers are less likely to eat breakfast at all, and if they do, they're choosing eggs, fruit, toast, and pancakes ahead of cereal, according to YouGov's research. They also eat more vegetables at breakfast than older generations. Thirty-six percent of Gen X, born between 1965 and 1980, still opt for cold cereal – 10% more than their Gen Z counterparts, according to YouGov. While Gen Zers still buy some boxed cereal, data suggests they eat it as a snack or for other meals. 'With younger generations, there are differences in their relationship with food and these eating moments,' Barello said. 5 Gen Zers are less likely to eat breakfast at all, and if they do, they're choosing eggs, fruit, toast, and pancakes ahead of cereal, according to YouGov's research. Helen Rushbrook/Stocksy – Gen Z social media influencers are embracing the 'crunchy' trend — meant to evoke not cereal but granola and signaling a health-focused, all-natural lifestyle. Annika Zude of Iowa, known online as @ThatCrunchyGirlAnnika, posts videos on TikTok and Instagram of highly processed foods she'd never eat. 'I would never eat sugary cereals if I wanted my day to go well,' Zude, a teenager, told Fox News Digital. 'You couldn't pay me to eat them.' 5 While Gen Zers still buy some boxed cereal, data suggests they eat it as a snack or for other meals. Getty Images Instead, she said she prefers to 'eat something nutritious like steak, eggs, or ground beef for breakfast.' Concerns about food processing and sugar intake have dimmed enthusiasm for cereal for consumers across generations, too. Just one cup of Lucky Charms contains 24% of the recommended daily sugar intake, for example. The artificial dyes used in many cereals have been under intense scrutiny of late, largely a result of the growing Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement. Last year, demonstrators rallied outside WK Kellogg's headquarters in Battle Creek, Michigan, demanding the removal of the dyes. Kellogg and General Mills have since pledged to phase them out. Among Kellogg's pledges: The company said it's 'reformulating our cereals served in schools to not include FD&C [food, drug and cosmetic] colors by the 2026-27 school year,' according to a statement on its website. It also says it 'will remove FD&C colors from the small percentage of our foods in retail that contain them today, by the end of 2027.' It added, 'We are committed to continue working with HHS and FDA to identify effective solutions to remove FD&C colors from foods.' No more 'hidden ingredients' 'Americans today want to recognize what's in their breakfast and know that it's doing something good for their bodies,' Jennifer Hillis, a registered dietitian and citrus nutrition research liaison at the University of South Florida, told Fox News Digital. 'They don't want any hidden ingredients,' Hillis added. 'That's why I always recommend building breakfast around core foods that will help fill you up and provide you with key nutrients to have a successful day.' 5 Gen Z social media influencers are embracing the 'crunchy' trend — meant to evoke not cereal but granola and signaling a health-focused, all-natural lifestyle. íâí¸í°íâí¾íâ¬í¸í íŸí¾í¿í¾í²í° – Italian confectioner Ferrero Group – maker of Ferrero Rocher chocolates – recently said it plans to purchase WK Kellogg, maker of Corn Flakes, Froot Loops, Rice Krispies, and other popular brands. But the sale doesn't mean cereal is at total risk of extinction. Packaged food companies have options for turning around their soggy cereal sales, according to Tom Rees, global insight manager for staple foods at the consulting company Euromonitor. 5 Italian confectioner Ferrero Group – maker of Ferrero Rocher chocolates – recently said it plans to purchase WK Kellogg, maker of Corn Flakes, Froot Loops, Rice Krispies, and other popular brands. Getty Images Kellogg's Mashups line, which mixes brands like Frosted Flakes and Froot Loops into one box, appeals to younger consumers, who tend to like interesting flavor combinations, Rees told The Associated Press (AP). The market may also have a fragmented future, according to Rees. Companies may have to accept that younger buyers want a sweet-and-spicy cereal, while older buyers might want a keto-friendly option. 'The future might be realizing that the era of 'This brand will serve everybody' isn't going to happen,' Rees said.
