Many Kids' Cereals Loaded with Sugar

Diane Alter

Breakfast is supposed to be the most important meal of the day, and many parents reach for the quick and easy cereal box to fuel their kids many mornings. However, a new study may have parents putting the cereal box back on the shelf, or in the trash.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), many cereals marketed to children have more sugar in them than are in sweets and desserts.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that with more than 17 percent of American children classified as obese, switching to cereals with little or no added sugar could be a healthier and better way to start the day.

EWG rated the top 10 worst cereals in terms of sugar per cup. They were, in order:

- Kellogg's Honey Smacks, 5 tsp of sugar

- Post Golden Crisp, 4.6 tsp

- Quaker Oats Cap'n Crunch Original, 4 tsp

- Quaker Oats Oh!s, 4 tsp

- Quaker Oats Cap'n Crunch OOPS! All Berries, 3.7 tsp

- Quaker Oats Cap'n Crunch's Crunch Berries, 3.6 tsp

- Kellogg's Froot Loops Marshmallow, 3.5 tsp

- Kellogg's Smorz, 3.2 tsp

- Kellogg's Apple Jacks, 3 tsp

- Kellogg's Froot Loops Original 3 tsp.

Some alternatives include Post Shredded Wheat with no added sugar. EWG said other well-known brands with scant added sugar are Kellogg's Mini-Wheat Unfrosted Bite-Size; Cheerios Original; Kix Original; Post Grape-Nuts Flakes; Quaker Oats Oatmeal Squares Cinnamon; Post Bran Flakes; and Post Honey Bunches of Oats with Vanilla Bunches.

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Health - Many Kids' Cereals Loaded with Sugar