Total has a commercial out that claims if you eat regular cereal you have to eat like 10 vitamins to get the same nutrients that Total has in one serving. I know that the best way to get nutrients is from veges, but which is a better way to get your nutrients: from Total or a multi?

Anybody can claim anything or tell people to go on diets that exclude dairy products, fruits and veg or even tell them drink water only. I get articles in my email that make fantastic claims and then include the statement at the bottom *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

What would you think would happen if they were scrutinised by the medical boards or press?

HEre's the thing: who said your breakfast cereal should provide 100% usrda for all those vitamins and minerals? Total did...they're the only ones bragging about this.

The rest of the free world understands that you get your vitamins and nutrients AT EVERY MEAL, especially since RDA's are recommended minimums to keep you from getting a deficiency. A bowl of total a day and then crap food the rest of the time will still screw you up.

The best way is through food. Everything you consume, whether "junk" or "healthy," has some amount of vitamin or mineral.

I've found eating unnaturally pumped up things can have adverse effect on you. For example, consuming unnatural food high in fiber, such as a cereal, can result in extreme stomach pains. Also, eating an unnaturally injected vitamin cereal can result in overworking your body.

So.....is Total bad for you then?

Define "bad?"

Is it bad that they put unneeded vitamins and minerals? Maybe... especially if you're eating plenty of other things during the day.

Is it going to kill you if you eat it? No.

Food supplements are exempt from the FDA truth-in-advertising requirements but Total, being a food, is regulated by the FDA and has to back up their statements.