EAT THIS, NOT THAT! – These “healthy” cereals may be a delicious sweet treat, but their sugar content might not make them the best option for a daily morning meal.
1. Kellogg’s Frosted Mini Wheats (12g sugar, 12g added sugar)
Everyone has a favorite way to eat Frosted Mini Wheats. Maybe you like to soak them in the milk so they’re a little soggy, or you eat them straight out the box for a crunchy snack.
Regardless of how you prefer your Frosted Mini Wheats, they are pretty high in sugar and might not be the option to start every day. Each serving of 25 biscuits contains 12 grams of sugar (all of which are added sugar) and 210 calories.
While they are high in sugar, Frosted Mini Wheats are also relatively high in fiber, containing 6 grams per serving, or about 20% of your daily needs. This can make them a more filling option for an occasional sweet treat.
2. Honey Nut Cheerios (12g sugar, 12g added sugar)
Honey Nut Cheerios are a sweet, crunchy cereal that’s considered a classic in many American households. For years, Honey Nut Cheerios have been associated with health benefits because their sister cereal, plain Cheerios, is advertised to promote heart health.
While Cheerios cereals do contain whole grains, which are important for heart health and more, Honey Nut Cheerios contain 12 grams of added sugar per 1-cup serving. This might be more than you’d expect if you’re looking for healthier, lower-sugar alternatives.
Original Cheerios contain 2 grams of sugar per serving, so you could try swapping them in next time you go grocery shopping and adding in fruit for some natural sweetness.
3. Quaker Simply Granola Oats, Honey & Almonds (13g sugar, 10g added sugar)
With words like “granola,” “almonds” and “oats,” it might be easy to assume that this Quaker Oats cereal is a healthy breakfast option. While it does boast nutritious ingredients like whole grains and healthy fats, the cereal contains 13 grams of sugar per every ⅔-cup serving (10 grams of which are added). That’s over half of the daily recommended added sugar intake, and its low protein content might not give you lasting energy.
