As a responsible parent, I try to fill my child up right in the morning with a healthy bowl of Lucky Charms. Filled with vitamins and minerals this seemingly unhealthy combination of sugar, marshmallows, a little grain and some more marshmallows contains both calcium and vitamin D, which, apparently make it good for you.

I am, of course, basing this decision (as I do all my decisions) on the contents of a television commercial. If General Mills (a military hero I assume) says that Lucky Charms will help my child, then who am I to question the wisdom of a multinational corporation?

The good folks at General Mills have been nice enough to spend a lot of money promoting the heretofore unknown health benefits of four of its seemingly less healthy cereals. The quartet, Lucky Charms, Trix, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Cocoa Puffs all appear to be bad for you and even really irresponsible parents have always known to limit sugary cereal intake.

That appears to have been a mistake that may have robbed my entire generation of its proper doses of vitamin D and calcium. According to the General Mills’ sponsored Web site, growupstrong. com, 75 percent of kids do not get enough of these two important nutrients (which may explain all those kids whose bones just randomly snap on any given day).

Of course, enriched breakfast cereals – preferably ones with mascots – are the only logical way to get your child the proper amount of vitamin D and calcium. The site does point out alternate sources for calcium, but declares that vitamin D is hard-to-find and can only be found in such exotic foods as eggs, salmon and tuna.

Eggs? Never heard of them and they can’t possibly be a good breakfast food. So, it seems that despite all evidence and common sense, children should, in fact, eat Lucky Charms, Trix, Cinnamon Toast Crunch everyday – maybe even more than once.

We’re talking about a cereal that leaves a sugar residue on your bowl (Cinnamon Toast Crunch). There’s one that consists almost entirely of marshmallows (Lucky Charms) and another that drives it’s mascot crazy with ecstasy (Cocoa Puffs). The last one, which contains colors not generally seen in nature (Trix), is so intoxicating that its commercial character commits acts of crime to obtain it.

Now, I am in no way a responsible parent when it comes to sugar intake. My 6-year-old and I just went to a 10:15 a.m. movie and I would have gladly bought him candy because I believe that a movie requires candy (more sensible than me, he opted for popcorn). I do know, however, that any cereal involving neon colors and a wacky mascot may not be quite as healthy as say, Cheerios or Wheaties.

I’m also reasonably sure that whatever vitamins and minerals he lacks (and this is for a child who eats mostly chicken nuggets and peanut butter) can be obtained from something other than sugary cereals. Realistically, you could add calcium and vitamin D to cotton candy or fried dough, but that would not turn them into health food.

Sugary cereal has its place as a special treat or a way to get through college without spending a lot on food, but it is not part of a normal diet. You can eat sugary cereal and still be healthy, but it is most certainly not a way to be healthy.

I’ve been cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs and have gone after the Lucky Charms on occasion (in my pre-gluten allergy days). I’ve dined on the fare made by the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Baker and I’ve kept that silly rabbits paws off my Trix as well.

I’m guessing that I’m in reasonably good health in spite, not because of that.

Daniel B. Kline’s work appears in over 100 papers weekly. When he is not writing, Kline serves as general manager of Time Machine Hobby New England’s largest hobby and toy store, www.timemachinehob by.com.