Honey Nut Cheerios didn't make either list, but this photo is making me wish I had a spoon and sliced banana (Photo: Getty Images)
The folks at dietdetective.com just told me (and everyone else on their mailing list) that 90 percent of households have cereal on the shelves and that more than 2 billion boxes are sold each year. I am proud that my five boxes are part of that number.
The main reason for their note, though, was to offer one of those 10 Best/10 Worst lists. Many such lists hold no interest for me at all. But we’re talking CEREAL here. CEREAL!! One of my favorite (and most eaten) foods.
So I’ll get right to the nitty gritty. Forthwith, the 10 unhealthiest:
1. General Mills Monsters Boo Berry (Tied for last place)
1. Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Treats (Tied for last place)
1. Post Fruity Pebbles (Tied for last place)
1. Post Summer Berry Pebbles (Tied for last place)
1. General Mills Chocolate Lucky Charms (Tied for last place)
6. Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Cocoa Krispies
7. General Mills Cinnamon Toast Crunch Frosted Toast Crunch
8. Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes
9. Quaker Honey Graham Oh’s
10. Kellogg’s Granola Low-fat Granola Multigrain with Raisin
Not too many surprises, though some folks may be a bit agog over No. 10. But it’s granola; isn’t granola healthy? In a word, not necessarily. In another word, bummer. This is kinda tasty stuff.
But granola also tends to be rather caloric. The labels always say something like 200 calories per serving, then you look and the serving size is about two tablespoons (slight exaggeration, but only slight).
OK, here’s the 10 Best list:
1. Nature’s Path Organic Millet Puffs
2. Barbara’s Shredded Wheat
3. Kashi Autumn Wheat Whole Wheat Biscuits (tied for 3rd place)
3. Quaker Oats Old Fashioned (Tied for 3rd place)
5. Nature’s Path Oatmeal Gluten Free Selections Homestyle
6. Kashi 7 Whole Grain Cereals Puffs
7. Post Shredded Wheat Original Spoon Size
8. Nature’s Path Qi’a Superfood Chia, Buckwheat & Hemp Original Flavor
9. Post Shredded Wheat Spoon Size Wheat’n Bran
10. Nature’s Path Original Hot Oatmeal
I am a Kashi fan, so do buy have the Autumn Wheat Whole-Wheat Biscuits. Truth to tell, I was a teeny bit surprised about the Whole Grain Honey Puffs cereal, mainly because, unlike other Kashi products, this variety is rather lacking in fiber. Actually, I just checked the website for No. 1, the Millet Puffs, and it has just one gram.
So I might somewhat disagree with this list. Isn’t cereal one of the best places to find fiber? But hey, that’s just me. Any registered dietitians out there who might weigh in?
Meanwhile, click here for the full report.