Some Cereals Are More Than 50 Percent Sugar

Photo: Rebecca Ellis / Istock

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There are clues that your breakfast cereal might not be the healthiest morning fuel: neon colors, a coating of white sweetener, or misspelled words for produce (froot, anyone?).

Consumer Reports said that some breakfast cereals marketed to children are more than half sugar by weight, and provide only fair nutritional value.

The report says that cereals such as Post Golden Crisp and Kellogg's Honey Smacks are more than 50 percent sugar by weight, and that there is as much sugar in Honey Smacks and 10 other cereals as there is in a glazed doughnut from Dunkin Donuts. (Does this make the cereal bad, or the doughnut good?) At least nine other cereal brands are at least 40 percent sugar.

Sodium was another issue. Kellogg's Rice Krispies, for example, has only 4 grams of sugar per serving, but the group gave it a Fair rating because it is higher in sodium and has zero dietary fiber. Other sugary cereals on the eat-only-occasionally list are Cap'n Crunch, Apple Jacks, and Corn Pops.

There were four cereals given a Very Good rating by Consumer Reports. Cheerios with three grams of fiber per serving and one gram of sugar, Kix, Honey Nut Cheerios, and Life were found to be the most healthful options.

According to the report, about $229 million advertising dollars are spent marketing sugary cereals to children each year. (Nutrition expert Marion Nestle has made her feelings clear about the money spent marketing to children.)

In an MSNBC article, Gayle Williams, deputy editor of Consumer Reports Health, is quoted: “If you’re shopping for a kids’ cereal, try one of the Very Good cereals in our ratings. Be sure to read the product labels, and choose cereals that are high in fiber and low in sugar and sodium. Served with milk and fruit, these cereals can be part of a well-balanced, nutritious breakfast."

Also check out our article on healthy and quick breakfast options.

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