Breakfast Cereals With High Sugar Content

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It’s no secret that the United States is one of the world’s largest consumers of breakfast cereals.

Americans consume approximately 2.7 billion boxes of cereal annually, which is about 14 pounds per person.

The U.S. cereal market is worth around $21–25 billion.

Cold cereals dominate the market, accounting for about 87% of sales, while hot cereals (like oatmeal) make up the remaining 13%.

Most cereals contain sugar, though the amount varies widely depending on the type and brand.

Today, we’ll look at cereals with the highest sugar content per serving. But, before we do, here is a reminder of the daily sugar limits by the American Heart Association:

Women: No more than 25g of added sugar/day (about six teaspoons)

Men: No more than 36g of added sugar/day (about nine teaspoons)

(“Added Sugars,” 2021)

Each serving of these cereals can contribute anywhere between 20–50% of your daily limit.

Post Golden Crisp

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Sugar Content: 21g per 1 cup serving (41% DV)

This crunchy puffed wheat cereal is unbelievably loaded with sugar.

Kellogg’s Honey Smacks

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Sugar Content: 18g per 1 cup serving (36% DV)

This cereal is one of the sweetest cereals on the market.

Kellogg’s Froot Loops with Marshmallows

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Sugar Content without marshmallows: 12g per 1 cup serving (24% DV)

Sugar Content with marshmallows: 16g per 1 cup serving (32% DV)

As if Froot Loops did not have enough problems, like artificial colors, adding marshmallows significantly increases its sugar content and makes it incredibly unhealthy.

Please check out this post on artificial colors: https://grosseating.com/artificial-red-color-40-banned-in-the-u-s/

Cap’n Crunch Original

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Sugar Content: 16g per 1 cup serving (31% DV)

A fruity, sugary cereal that is popular among kids. It is made with sweetened corn and oats.

Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes

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Sugar Content: 12g per 1 cup serving (24% DV)

Another Kellog cereal on the list is Frosted Flakes. The sugar coating on each flake makes this more of a dessert than a morning cereal.

General Mills Reese’s Puffs

Sugar Content: 12g per 1 cup serving (24% DV)

This sweet and crunchy corn puff cereal combines chocolate and peanut butter flavors with high sugar levels.

General Mills Cocoa Puffs

Sugar Content: 12g per 1 cup serving (24% DV)

A popular chocolate-flavored corn puff cereal with a sugary punch.

Lucky Charms

Sugar Content: 12g per 1 cup serving (24% DV)

A frosted toasted cereal in which the marshmallows add to the sugar content.

It is encouraging to see an increasing demand for organic, non-GMO, and low-sugar cereals.

The Bottom Line

There is a shift toward cereals marketed as healthier or functional, such as high-protein or gluten-free options, but sugary and colorful cereals remain popular among American kids.
When choosing a cereal, look for one with 5g or less sugar per serving. Whole-grain options with high fiber and protein are always a good idea. 

We can always sweeten them naturally by adding fresh fruits like bananas or berries.

If you enjoy sugary cereals, moderation is key. Consider them an occasional treat rather than a daily breakfast option

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