If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, making sure kids get a healthy start is a priority. Today's breakfast cereals run the gamut from heart-healthy, high-fiber bran, to sugary treats that could be called dessert. Did you know that some popular kids' breakfast cereals are almost 50% sugar? They also contain other hidden gems that are known carcinogens, can cause ADHD, and can trigger allergies among other negative side effects. A close look at the nutrition facts of General Mills and Kellogg's cereals reveals some startling numbers. Here are some of the worst* breakfast cereals for kids:
*"Worst" for this analysis is classified as cereal with more than a 30% sugar content and less than 3 grams of fiber per serving.
#10: General Mills Cinnamon Toast Crunch: 34 % sugar
Over a third of this popular kids' cereal is made entirely of sugar, which means kids are eating about 10 grams of sugar and a measly 1 gram of fiber per ¾ serving. This breakfast cereal is available in a reduced sugar version that clocks in with just 2 grams of sugar and 3 grams of fiber, but is heavily sweetened with Splenda artificial sweetener which may not be healthy for kids with food sensitivities or allergies.
Over a third of this popular kids' cereal is made entirely of sugar, which means kids are eating about 10 grams of sugar and a measly 1 gram of fiber per ¾ serving. This breakfast cereal is available in a reduced sugar version that clocks in with just 2 grams of sugar and 3 grams of fiber, but is heavily sweetened with Splenda artificial sweetener which may not be healthy for kids with food sensitivities or allergies.
#9: Frosted Rice Krispies: 39% sugar
Made with rice, sugar, and high fructose corn syrup, Frosted Rice Krispies will deliver an instant energy boost followed by a major crash. Kids are getting 12 grams of sugar from a ¾ cup serving, and zero grams of fiber. While the cereal will definitely wake them up in the morning, it offers very little nutritive value.
Made with rice, sugar, and high fructose corn syrup, Frosted Rice Krispies will deliver an instant energy boost followed by a major crash. Kids are getting 12 grams of sugar from a ¾ cup serving, and zero grams of fiber. While the cereal will definitely wake them up in the morning, it offers very little nutritive value.
#8: Kellogg's Frosted Flakes: 39% sugar
This popular sugar-topped cereal contains 11 grams of sugar per serving, and is made with high fructose corn syrup which is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and may be linked to hyperactivity. While Frosted Flakes are fat free and low in sodium, they only contain 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. Ultimately, this cereal is just plain carbohydrate from corn and sugar. Look at the number of times sugar is mentioned in the ingredients list. Partially hydrogenated soybean oil equals trans fat which is one of the worst things we can put in our bodies. We covered what high fructose corn syrup does in a previous post. This along with most cereals on this list contains BHT. In addition to causing hyperactivity in children, BHT is considered a carcinogen by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Yet the FDA allows them to be used in foods?! What’s wrong with this picture???
This popular sugar-topped cereal contains 11 grams of sugar per serving, and is made with high fructose corn syrup which is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and may be linked to hyperactivity. While Frosted Flakes are fat free and low in sodium, they only contain 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. Ultimately, this cereal is just plain carbohydrate from corn and sugar. Look at the number of times sugar is mentioned in the ingredients list. Partially hydrogenated soybean oil equals trans fat which is one of the worst things we can put in our bodies. We covered what high fructose corn syrup does in a previous post. This along with most cereals on this list contains BHT. In addition to causing hyperactivity in children, BHT is considered a carcinogen by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Yet the FDA allows them to be used in foods?! What’s wrong with this picture???
#7: Reese's Puffs: 40% sugar
A ¾ cup serving (smaller than your fist) of this chocolate-peanut butter treat contains 12 grams of sugar and is made primarily with real sugar, corn and peanut butter. It's not a healthy choice for kids who need to keep fat at a minimum, because the ¾ cup serving also contains 3 grams of fat (0.5 grams of which are saturated fat). Even though the puffs are made with corn, there are also traces of wheat in this product, so they are a definite 'no' for kids with wheat allergies.
A ¾ cup serving (smaller than your fist) of this chocolate-peanut butter treat contains 12 grams of sugar and is made primarily with real sugar, corn and peanut butter. It's not a healthy choice for kids who need to keep fat at a minimum, because the ¾ cup serving also contains 3 grams of fat (0.5 grams of which are saturated fat). Even though the puffs are made with corn, there are also traces of wheat in this product, so they are a definite 'no' for kids with wheat allergies.
#6: General Mills Apple Cinnamon Cheerios: 42% sugar
One serving of Apple Cinnamon Cheerio's contains 12 grams of sugar and just 1 gram of fiber. Even though this cereal is made with heart-healthy whole grain oats, it also contains corn syrup, brown sugar and white sugar. A healthier option would be plain oatmeal topped with real cinnamon and a few chunks of fresh apple mixed in.
One serving of Apple Cinnamon Cheerio's contains 12 grams of sugar and just 1 gram of fiber. Even though this cereal is made with heart-healthy whole grain oats, it also contains corn syrup, brown sugar and white sugar. A healthier option would be plain oatmeal topped with real cinnamon and a few chunks of fresh apple mixed in.
#5: Kellogg's Apple Jacks: 42% sugar
It's flavored with apple juice and cinnamon, but Kellogg's Apple Jacks is also chock full of sugar. The first ingredient in this cereal is sugar, followed by corn flour, wheat flour and oat flour. One cup of Apple Jacks contains 12 grams of sugar and 0.5 gram of fat. It's also low in fiber and protein.
It's flavored with apple juice and cinnamon, but Kellogg's Apple Jacks is also chock full of sugar. The first ingredient in this cereal is sugar, followed by corn flour, wheat flour and oat flour. One cup of Apple Jacks contains 12 grams of sugar and 0.5 gram of fat. It's also low in fiber and protein.
#4: Trix: 43% sugar
Trix are for kids...on their way to poor nutrition. Those fruity flavors are made entirely out of whole grain corn, sugar and corn syrup, and 1 cup of the sugary cereal contains 12 grams of sugar. The low fiber count and 1 gram of protein per serving offer little nutritive value for kids who need a more substantial breakfast.
Trix are for kids...on their way to poor nutrition. Those fruity flavors are made entirely out of whole grain corn, sugar and corn syrup, and 1 cup of the sugary cereal contains 12 grams of sugar. The low fiber count and 1 gram of protein per serving offer little nutritive value for kids who need a more substantial breakfast.
#3: Kellogg's Smorz Cereal: 43% sugar
Graham cracker pieces, marshmallow bits and chocolate sound like an ice cream concoction, and dessert may be just what kids are getting when they reach for a serving of Kellogg's Smorz One cup of this cereal contains 13 grams of sugar and 2 grams of fat.
Graham cracker pieces, marshmallow bits and chocolate sound like an ice cream concoction, and dessert may be just what kids are getting when they reach for a serving of Kellogg's Smorz One cup of this cereal contains 13 grams of sugar and 2 grams of fat.
#2: Kellogg's Froot Loops: 45% sugar
The first ingredient is sugar because nearly half of the cereal is made of the sweet stuff. Kellogg's Froot Loops contain 12 grams of sugar per one cup serving, and have less than 1 gram of fiber. They may be a sweet start to your kids' day, but the sugar high will only last a couple of hours before they're hungry again. Has many of the same ingredients to avoid in the other cereals with the addition of Red #40, Blue #2 and Yellow #6. These synthetic dyes have all been identified as being, or being contaminated with, potential cancer-causing chemicals, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest. And Blue 1, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 are known to trigger reactions in those with allergies.
The first ingredient is sugar because nearly half of the cereal is made of the sweet stuff. Kellogg's Froot Loops contain 12 grams of sugar per one cup serving, and have less than 1 gram of fiber. They may be a sweet start to your kids' day, but the sugar high will only last a couple of hours before they're hungry again. Has many of the same ingredients to avoid in the other cereals with the addition of Red #40, Blue #2 and Yellow #6. These synthetic dyes have all been identified as being, or being contaminated with, potential cancer-causing chemicals, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest. And Blue 1, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 are known to trigger reactions in those with allergies.
#1: General Mills Cocoa Puffs: 47% sugar
Perhaps one of the worst of the pack, General Mills Cocoa Puffs cereal is almost 50% sugar. This chocolaty treat may belong on the dessert table with its empty calories and low nutritive value. Each ¾ cup serving contains 12 grams of sugar and 1.5 grams of fat. The cereal is made with whole grain corn, sugar, corn syrup and cocoa, and is sure to put your kids on the sugar rollercoaster in no time flat.
Perhaps one of the worst of the pack, General Mills Cocoa Puffs cereal is almost 50% sugar. This chocolaty treat may belong on the dessert table with its empty calories and low nutritive value. Each ¾ cup serving contains 12 grams of sugar and 1.5 grams of fat. The cereal is made with whole grain corn, sugar, corn syrup and cocoa, and is sure to put your kids on the sugar rollercoaster in no time flat.
Our family avoids these cereals like the plague not only due to the massive sugar crash that they cause, but also due to all of the other potential negative consequences as a result of ingesting things like HFCS, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, BHT, and artificial dyes.
What do we do? We go organic. Here are some of our favorite choices:
Cascadian Farms has a huge variety of cereals to choose from and the ingredients in them are certified organic. It took a while, but my boys now love these cereals.
I personally like Kashi organic cereals. Cinnamon Harvest is my favorite!
Kellogg's is also starting to feel the pressure from consumers and is introducing their own line of organic cereals. If we keep up the pressure (with our wallets) eventually organic ingredients in cereals will become the rule and not the exception. We need to be educated about what these ingredients do to our children, and avoid them at all costs. If we do, the cereal companies will eventually eliminate these harmful additives from their ingredients lists.
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Is Kashi totally GMO free now? I haven't purchased anything of theirs since we found out that they weren't all that natural. I do love their products, so hopefully they are or will be soon. In our house, good old fashioned eggs from free range chickens(not corn fed) from down the street and toast that Steve makes from grinding organic(non GMO) wheat and spelt berries into home-made bread, with a little organic raw butter. :) We also love sprouted oat groats for hot porridge. Great article Marty!
ReplyDeleteI always look for the USDA Organic seal which Kashi's Cinnamon Harvest cereal has on it. It also carries the "Non GMO Project verified" seal on it. I tend to switch back and forth between cereal that carries these seals as well as organic eggs with peppers and onions with toasted Ezekiel bread. Gotta have some variety! Mix this with green smoothies made in the NutriBullet or the VitaMix and I'm in for an energy packed day!
ReplyDeleteThough I am not a fan of cereal, Cascadian Farms would be my choice out of the three. Another great, informative article Marty - keep it up!
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