These Healthy Whole-Grain Cereals that Meet the New FDA Guidelines
These Healthy Whole-Grain Cereals that Meet the New FDA Guidelines
We updated this article in November 2022 to ensure all picks were in stock, accurately priced and met the newly proposed FDA guidelines for what is considered "healthy." We added more information about each featured product based on extensive testing done by the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab.
Big news in the cereal aisle: A lot has changed! As of September 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed updated guidelines for using the term "healthy." How does this affect you? Some of your favorites may no longer make the cut. To be considered healthy by the FDA, cereals must now contain 3/4 ounces of whole grains and no more than 1 gram of saturated fat, 230 milligrams of sodium and 2.5 grams of added sugars per serving.
When looking for a healthy cereal for you and your family, keep in mind that all cereals are definitely not created equal. The first ingredient should be 100% whole grain or whole food (such as whole-grain oats, wheat, corn, buckwheat, rice or legumes) and it should contain a hearty combination of protein and fiber (aim for 3g of each per serving). A lot of cereals are good sources of complex carbohydrates and fiber, though they can lack adequate protein. "To turn your bowl of cereal into a balanced meal, combine a 250-300 calorie serving of cereal with yogurt, milk, fruit, a tablespoon of nuts or nut butter that are about 100 to 200 calories per serving," says registered dietitian Stefani Sassos, deputy director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab.
To find the healthiest cereals that align with the newly proposed FDA guidelines, the registered dietitians in the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab tested over 100 different cereal brands by analyzing not only nutrition facts and ingredient lists but also taste, texture, crunch factor and more. These top picks are delicious and super-satisfying to keep you full until lunchtime.
Our top picks:
You'll find more information on how the Good Housekeeping Nutrition Lab evaluates healthy cereals at the end of this story.
These whole-grain healthy cereals are low in saturated fat, sodium and added sugars. They're packed with protein and fiber and meet FDA guidelines.
