Kellogg believed that artificial foods were to blame for America’s indigestion problems. Only through increased exercise, more bathing, and a bland, vegetarian diet could people be healthy. Thus, the corn flake cereal was born in the 1890s to ease digestion issues, simplify breakfast and stop masturbation.

In addition to a bland diet, Kellogg was determined to deter masturbation using inhumane and harmful methods. In the event that someone could not stop masturbating, he would recommend circumcision without anaesthetic for boys or the application of carbolic acid to the clitoris for girls.

Kellogg believed in eugenics and racial hygiene. In addition to Kellogg’s inhumane practices to deter masturbation, he was also a vocal eugenicist who founded the Race Betterment Foundation. This was intended to encourage people of ‘good pedigrees’ to maintain heritage by procreating exclusively with those who met his standards of racial hygiene.