I think the issue is that sugary cereal is both bad for you and not that enjoyable.

See, this is what I feel about alcohol, but I don't go around judging people for enjoying it. Tastes are subjective. We each get to decide for ourselves what we like, and if we differ thats just fine!

For the same price, I can get a bahn mi with veggies, pate, and egg or pho or fried ramen.

So your breakfast is a minimum of 460 calories or so for ramen, and the prep time for the meal to be perhaps 20 minutes?

My cereal (with milk) is about 240 calories and the prep time is about 2 minutes.

I look at people who eat cereal ... wondering what’s going on in their life that they’re not willing to deal with the cognitive load of seeing what alternatives exist for breakfast.

I have about 10 minutes for breakfast in the morning and you're suggesting something that is going to be twice the calories and ten times the prep time. If that high calorie breakfast with lots of prep time is worth it to you, by all means, go ahead. You're welcome to make your own choices and they don't affect me in the slightest. I don't judge you for it, either.