The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends a daily maximum of 25 grams of added sugar for women and 36 grams for men. A majority of Americans greatly exceed these recommendations. The AHA states that U.S. adults, on average, consume 77 grams of sugar per day with kids consuming even more at 81 grams per day [Source:AHA].
Many cereals contain a great deal of sugar and are more dessert-like than healthy meals. Here you will learn whether Cheerios products have a reasonable or a considerable amount of sugar. Let’s take a look at the sugar in Cheerios!
Sugar In Cheerios
Below you will see “total sugars” and “added sugars” for Cheerios products. The total sugars represent all sugars in Cheerios products including natural and added sugars. Added sugar is simply the sugar the manufacturer adds to the cereal. Remember that added sugar is the one you want to pay attention to if you are trying to stay within the AHA recommendation discussed above.
Not all Cheerios are the same when it comes to sugar. Some have quite a bit of sugar (over 10 grams per serving) while others have a more reasonable amount.
Your best option is Original Cheerios for the product with the least amount of added sugar. Multi Grain Cheerios With Real Strawberries is the next best choice with 7 grams of added sugar.
You will likely want to avoid the Oat Crunch varieties if you are watching your sugar. Their 15 grams of added sugar will quickly get you close to your daily recommendation of added sugar.
| Product | Serving Size | Total Sugar(g) | Added Sugar(g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Cheerios | 1 1/2 cup (39g) | 2g | 1g |
| Honey Nut Cheerios | 1 cup (37g) | 12g | 12g |
| Frosted Cheerios | 1 cup (36g) | 12g | 12g |
| Multi Grain Cheerios | 1 1/3 cup | 8g | 8g |
| Multi Grain Cheerios w/ Real Strawberries | 1 1/3 cup (39g) | 8g | 7g |
| Strawberry Banana Cheerios | 1 cup (37g) | 11g | 11g |
| Honey Vanilla Cherrios | 1 cup (36g) | 9g | 9g |
| Very Berry Cheerios | 1 cup (36g) | 11g | 11g |
| Pumpkin Spice Cheerios | 1 cup (36g) | 11g | 11g |
| Maple Cheerios | 1 cup (36g) | 11g | 11g |
| Honey Nut Cheerios Medley Crunch | 1 cup (43g) | 12g | 12g |
| Cinnamon Cheerios | 1 cup (36g) | 11g | 11g |
| Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios | 1 cup (36g) | 9g | 9g |
| Chocolate Cheerios | 1 cup (36g) | 10g | 10g |
| Blueberry Cheerios | 1 cup (36g) | 10g | 10g |
| Apple Cheerios | 1 cup (37g) | 12g | 12g |
| Cheerios Oat Crunch – Oats ‘N Honey | 1 cup (54g) | 15g | 15g |
| Cheerios Oat Crunch – Cinnamon | 1 cup (54g) | 15g | 15g |
| Cheerios Oat Crunch – Almond | 1 cup (54g) | 15g | 15g |
SEE ALSO>>>Cheerios vs. Honey Nut Cheerios
Sugar: Cheerios vs. Other Cereals
This table reflects the sugar in popular cereals found in the United States. You can compare the sugar in these cereals to the Cheerios products above to see how they compare in sugar content.
Notably, no cereal below has a sugar content as low as Original Cheerios. However, lighter-sweetened cereals like Corn Flakes and Rice Krispies are solid alternatives to Cheerios simply in regard to sugar.
| Cereal | Serving Size | Sugars(g) | Added Sugars(g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes | 1 cup (37g) | 12g | 12g |
| Kellogg’s Corn Flakes | 1 1/2 cup (42g) | 4g | 4g |
| Honey Bunches of Oats – Honey Roasted | 1 cup (41g) | 9g | 8g |
| Cinnamon Toast Crunch | 1 cup (41g) | 12g | 12g |
| Lucky Charms | 1 cup (36g) | 12g | 12g |
| Rice Krispies | 1 1/2 cup (40g) | 4g | 4g |
| Kellogg’s Raisin Bran | 1 cup (59g) | 17g | 9g |
| Original Life | 1 cup (42g) | 8g | 8g |
| Frosted Mini Wheats – Bite Size | 25 biscuits (60g) | 12g | 12g |
Final Thoughts
The above information on the sugar in Cheerios shows the importance of checking labels. While Original Cheerios have minimal sugar, other varieties have a fair amount of it. Just because a cereal brand makes one or two healthy cereals does not mean all varieties are equally as healthy. Of course, a quick review of the nutrition facts at the grocery store is recommended if you are watching your sugar. This is particularly true when buying cereal where there is a ton of variation between products.
Sources:
Cheerios.com
How much sugar is too much? www.heart.org. (2022, June 2). Retrieved October 18, 2022, from https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/sugar/how-much-sugar-is-too-much
