11 Low-Sugar Cereals, So You Can Enjoy Your Fave Cereal Without an Energy Crash
When you want to snooze your alarm a few extra times without losing the opportunity to fill up your stomach before you start your day, cereal is a lifesaver. That said, the market is flooded with sugar-bomb breakfast cereals. Yep, they might be fortified—but with twelve grams of sugar per bowl, those Fruit Loops aren’t doing you any favors, friends. As such, we rounded up the healthiest and tastiest low-sugar cereals around so you can phone it in at breakfast without spiking your blood sugar.
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1. General Mills Cheerios
Grams of Sugar Per Serving: 2g
Plain Cheerios are one of the lowest sugar breakfast cereals on our list. This earthy-tasting, whole grain cereal is also a particularly heart-healthy choice in that it’s cholesterol-free and low in fat.
2. General Mills Kix
Grams of Sugar Per Serving: 3g
One bowl of these cholesterol-free corn puffs provides three grams of dietary fiber, and only as much sugar. Despite the low sugar content, this classic cereal has a pleasantly sweet taste that’s parent and kid-approved. Plus, Kix has a light and airy texture that’s ideal for dry snacking, too.
3. Nature’s Path Heritage Flakes
Grams of Sugar Per Serving: 5g
Nature’s Path Heritage Flakes—a lightly sweetened blend of wheat, barley, quinoa and other ancient grains—gets rave reviews for flavor and texture alike. In fact, word on the street is that this cereal never gets stale, takes ages to get soggy in milk and tastes absolutely delicious. The nutrition label doesn’t disappoint, either—this healthy option has five grams of protein, seven grams of dietary fiber and a mere five grams of sugar. Color us impressed.
4. Post Grape Nuts
Grams of Sugar Per Serving: 5g
Here, a low-sugar cereal that you’ll either love, hate or simply tolerate for its health benefits. Grape Nuts aren’t exactly the tastiest of the bunch, but it’s worth noting that their nutty, hearty flavor can be vastly improved with fresh fruit. Indeed, the most compelling reason to give Grape Nuts a try—aside from the fact they only have five grams of sugar—is that they’re an excellent source of both fiber and iron (a whopping 90 percent DV per serving), which means one bowl will get your bowels moving and give you an energy boost, too.
5. Weetabix
Grams of Sugar Per Serving: 2g
This classic cereal hails from the other side of the pond, so it’s hard to come by in stateside grocery stores. Fortunately, you can score a box (or several) online and enjoy a bowlful of what one reviewer describes as “dry, flaky biscuits'' with a “faint nuttiness…and very mild flavor.” OK, that might not be the best selling point—unless you’re into a mild-flavored brekkie—so consider this: Weetabix has only two grams of sugar per serving—and its very loyal following suggests there’s more to this whole grain cereal than that.
6. Three Wishes
Grams of Sugar Per Serving: 0g
When it comes to low sugar, Three Wishes cereal can’t be beat—namely because it has no sugar. It’s also grain-free and high in protein (eight grams per serving), which makes it a keto-dieter’s dream come true. That said, if you’re looking for flavor, this very neutral-tasting cereal probably won’t float your boat.
7. Magic Spoon Grain-free Cereal
Grams of Sugar Per Serving: 0g
Here, another grain-free choice for the keto crowd. This low-carb cereal has an impressive 11 grams of protein per serving and no sugar whatsoever. There’s also some wizardry at work here, because folks report that, against all odds, these flavored cereals are not only filling, but actually yummy. In other words, you really can have it all.
8. Barbara’s Bakery Original Puffins
Grams of Sugar Per Serving: 5g
A host of five-star reviews confirm that Barbara’s Puffins are big on flavor, and a hit with adults and kids alike. These extra crunchy oat and corn pillows are sweetened with molasses to great effect.
9. Quaker Life
Grams of Sugar Per Serving: 6g
Much to our chagrin, the oh-so delicious Cinnamon Life cereal doesn’t make the low-sugar list. The original, however, is fair game. With only six grams of sugar per serving, this mildly sweet cereal boasts plenty of taste and a satisfyingly light, crisp texture—just keep in mind that it gets soggy fast, so you best make short work of it.
10. General Mills Total
Grams of Sugar Per Serving: 5g
You can forget about supplements and multivitamins, friends, ‘cause one bowl of this cereal provides 100 percent of your daily value of 11 different vitamins and minerals. (Hint: It’s right there on the box.) Plus, it won’t spike your blood sugar and gets high marks for flavor, too. Dare we say it’s the total package?
11. Post Honey Bunches of Oats
Grams of Sugar Per Serving: 6g
This crowd-pleasing breakfast cereal boasts a combination of crunchy oat and granola clusters and a slightly sweet taste that, nevertheless, won’t cause you to feel snoozy and foggy-headed 30 minutes after you eat. Best of all, Honey Bunches of Oats is fortified with 10 different essential vitamins and minerals, and a single serving provides 60 percent of the recommended daily intake of iron. It’s also low in fat and free of cholesterol, making it a diet-friendly choice to boot.
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