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Are you still feeding your kids sugar-laden cereals? You don’t have to! There are plenty of delicious and nutritious options that your child will be asking for again and again. With breakfast being the most important meal of the day, you should make sure your family’s bowls are filled with top-notch ingredients that they’ll actually eat. We checked out 12 experts reviews to come away with the best and healthiest cereal for kids to have for breakfast. Our list is based on the most recommended products across the websites. These sites examined the nutrition facts for sugar content, as well as protein, fiber and fat to determine the most nutrient-dense choices. You may even be surprised by their picks for the best kids’ cereal. If you’ve got your own suggestions, please share them in the comments section below!
StudyFinds is a research-driven platform that analyzes and synthesizes expert recommendations from trusted sources. Rather than writing reviews ourselves, we meticulously compile consensus findings from leading industry experts and established publications to save consumers valuable research time. Each article represents hours of analysis across multiple authoritative sources to identify the most consistently recommended choices.
Here’s what parents are recommending:
1. Cheerios
Best Kid Stuff recommends Cheerios, writing, “It is hard to not like Cheerios. These toasted little circles are known for being heart-healthy, but they have lots of other health benefits as well. There is one gram of sugar in one cup, one of a few cereals with less than 5 grams of sugar that pediatricians recommend.”
So, what makes Cheerios so good? “They’re made from whole grain oats, contain 4 g of fiber, 5 g of protein, and practically a whole multivitamin in every serving. Cheerios are also gluten-free and make a great basic cereal that you can top with any fruit, nuts, or yogurt. The little Os are also very easy to eat and dissolve pretty quickly, making them a suitable early finger food for toddlers,” Healthline says.
Livestrong also ranks Cheerios as the number one best cereal for kids: “Cheerios are at the top of our healthy cereals list. Per serving, they have 1 g of sugar and 3 g of fiber. You can introduce them to your children as a finger food when they are very young, and as your kids grow up, they will be hooked on the taste. For more flavors (and vitamins), add berries or bananas.”
2. Puffins
HuffPost recommends Puffins because: “All Puffins flavors have 10 grams of sugar or less per serving and are Non-GMO Project Verified.” RDN Chelsey Amer told HuffPost, “Nutritionally speaking, I love that they’re lower in sugar than most breakfast cereals. They contain 6 grams of fiber per serving and even 3 grams of protein, thanks to whole grains.’”
Mom Junction writes, “This high-fiber breakfast cereal is made from corn and oats. A single serving contains five grams of fiber. It is low in sodium, fat, and sugar and does not contain GMO ingredients. It may be a good option for children with food allergies.”
Picky Eater picks it as a healthy and popular choice: “This is my top pick among all of the Barbara’s Cereals line, it’s also one of the most popular cereals I’ve found for kids that’s actually healthy! Simple ingredients, non-GMO, crispy and slightly sweet. Enjoy this healthy cold cereal with low-fat milk, or your favorite plant based milk like unsweetened almond milk or oat milk.”
3. Kix
PureWow kicks other cereals to the curb and chooses Kix: “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.”
Care.com recommends Kix, writing, “Who didn’t love Kix as a child? Parents looking for a low-sugar cereal for their kids — or a great dry snack on the go — can feel comfy passing on this breakfast from their childhood. A splash of their favorite milk will up the protein.”
4. Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Eat This, Not That! picks this as a top choice, and here’s why: “Cinnamon on toast is already a game-changer, but then you put it in cereal form and it’s game over. This is one of our favorite kids’ cereals, and as it turns out, it’s not awful for you. The first ingredient listed on this product is whole grain wheat. This cereal is also fortified with lots of vitamins and minerals, including several B vitamins like vitamin B12 and vitamin D3.”
Family Minded has taste in mind, too: “The tiny graham cracker-shaped cereal bites, sprinkled as they are with cinnamon and sugar, remain the gold standard for taking breakfast cereal to a whole new level. Little wonder that the ad reps for Cinnamon Toast Crunch came up with such slogans as ‘Crave those crazy squares.’”
5. Nature’s Path Heritage Flakes
The Institute for Integrative Nutrition says to make your path down the cereal aisle straight to Heritage Flakes: “Made with Kamut wheat flour, wheat bran, whole wheat, and just a few more ingredients, this option is another hearty, healthy cereal. One serving size offers five grams of protein, an impressive seven grams of fiber, and five grams of added sugar.”
Today’s Parent writes, “This cereal has less sugar than most others on the list — just six grams per serving. It also boasts six grams of fiber from a mix of grains, including wheat bran, kamut, millet, quinoa, oats and barley. Why kids will love it: If your kids like to mix a bunch of different cereals into one bowl, they’ll love this ready-made mix, which is a nice blend of crunchy flakes and sweet granola clusters. The mild cinnamon taste is a lovely bonus.”
What was your favorite cereal as a kid? Tell us all about it in the comments below.
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Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.
