You have probably heard the saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. While this saying was created by Quaker Oats as a marketing ploy, there is some truth behind it. Breakfast can set you up for success by giving your body the nutrients that it needs to sustain energy and stable blood sugar levels throughout the day.ย Weโve compiled a list of the highest-quality non-GMO cereals that you and your children can consume.ย
Keep reading to learn moreโฆ
Note: This article contains affiliate links, meaning In On Around will make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps us maintain the site. As always, we value full transparency & only work with brands we love and trust.
This article is co-authored by Kathlyn Carney and Catherine Power.ย
- Published On: August 27, 2024
- Updated On: August 29, 2024
Summary:ย
- Most cereals contain added sugar, dyes, artificial flavors, seed oils, and other inflammatory ingredients.ย
- Opt for organic, gluten-free cereal that’s low in sugar and free from seed oils.ย
- Best Brands = Seven Sundays, Lovebird
Table of Contents
Why Does Non-GMO Healthy Cereal Matter?
It is recommended to have a breakfast with adequate amounts of protein, fat, and fiber. One way that many parents help their children get enough fiber is by giving them delicious and convenient cereal.ย
After learning about the impacts of having too much sugar at breakfast or the dangers of food dyes, you may have switched up your cereals to a low-sugar and dye-free option. But just when you think that you are making better breakfast choices for your family, you see a new article about the levels of glyphosate in your childโs favorite cereal.ย Ugh, another thing to factor in when making choices for your family.ย We get it.ย
Adding non-GMO and glyphosate-free to the list of labels or tests that you need to look out for can be stressful, but that is why we are here!
Why Is Glyphosate In Kidโs Cereals Anyway?
You may be wondering how the heck glyphosate, which is an herbicide used to kill certain weeds and grasses, gets into our food. Well, it is the active ingredient in the weedkiller, RoundUp. RoundUp is commonly used by farmers on non-organic and/or genetically modified wheat, oat, corn, and soy plants. Because it is sprayed directly on the plants, the active ingredient glyphosate can end up in your food.ย
There have been many articles lately that have shed light on the amount of glyphosate in foods and how it is showing up in peopleโs bodies.ย
Kathlyn here! In my book, We Canโt Change What We Donโt Know, I interviewed Vicanne Adams, a professor of medical anthropology and a co-author of the book Whatโs Making Our Children Sick? Vicanne Adams has been saying for years that non-organic, genetically modified foods are impacting people, specifically childrenโs health. Sheโs found that the weedkiller Roundup can contribute to Hodgkinโs lymphoma and impacts liver and kidney function.ย
Common High-Risk GMO Ingredients In Childrenโs Cereal
Foods that are mass-produced in the United States are more likely to be genetically modified. Here are some common ones that you may find in childrenโs cereal:ย
- Corn
- Soy
- Canola
- Cotton (Cottonseed Oil)
- Wheatย
- Vegetable oilย
- Sugar beets
- Cane Sugarย
- Riceย
- Peas
- Apples
ย
You will notice that these are the majority of the ingredients in childrenโs cereals.ย [1, 2]
Whatโs the Difference Between Non-GMO and Glyphosate-free?
You might be wondering if crops are not being genetically modified, how is glyphosate getting into the food? One way is that non-GMO foods may be sprayed with RoundUp as a pre-harvest desiccant. When glyphosate is sprayed on crops close to harvest, it does not take much time for it to break down, so it can get processed with the food.ย
Unfortunately, the less processed that a non-GMO product contaminated by RoundUp is, the more likely the glyphosate is to remain in the product. So frustrating right?ย [3, 4, 5]
Your next question might be, if certified organic foods are not sprayed with RoundUp, why does there need to be a glyphosate-free certification? Unfortunately, if the organic farm is near a GMO farm or non-GMO farm that uses RoundUp, the glyphosate can drift over via water, air, or pollinators to the organic foods.ย
An article by the Ecology Center stated that โglyphosate has been measured 1,300 โ 2,600 feet away from its application site.โ Because of this, consumers have demanded another certification to ensure their foods are truly glyphosate residue-free.ย
For a complete list of glyphosate residue-free foods, check out this list here: Glyphosate Residue Free Certified Products | The Detox Project The only cereal brand on this list is Seven Sundays!ย
The Risks of Glyphosate In Cereals For Children
One of the reasons that it is important to minimize glyphosate exposure in anyone, but especially children is because it has been linked to a wide range of health issues. Children are still growing and developing and may be more susceptible to adverse reactions from exposure.ย
Glyphosate has been potentially linked to a wide range of health issues, such as DNA damage that can lead to:ย
- Cancer, such as Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma
- Endocrine disruption
- Parkinsonโs Disease
- Leaky gut
- Reproduction issues
- Alzheimerโs Disease
- Significant disruption of gut bacteria
- Liver & kidney damage
โฆ and more.
Want to read more? Check out: Is There Glyphosate In Organic Food? Glyphosate 101
Environmental Impacts of GMOs For The Next Generation
GMOs have a significant impact on the environment.[6, 7]
- Can pollute our water supply: Glyphosate can leach into groundwater or runoff into surface water, potentially contaminating drinking water sources and harming aquatic ecosystems.
- Can have toxic effects on soil microorganisms: Glyphosate disrupts beneficial soil microorganisms, which play a crucial role in nutrient cycling and soil health, leading to reduced soil fertility and microbial diversity.
- Predisposes crops to soil-borne pathogens: Glyphosate application can weaken plants, making them more susceptible to infections from soil-borne pathogens and increasing the risk of crop diseases.
- May impact plantsโ root formation: Glyphosate can interfere with the development of plant roots, affecting their stability, nutrient uptake, and overall growth.
- Could decrease fruit retention on trees: Glyphosate use may impair the fruiting process, leading to reduced fruit set and lower yields in fruit-bearing trees.
- Reduces uptake and translocation of nutrients in crops: Glyphosate can hinder plants’ ability to absorb and transport essential nutrients, potentially impacting their growth and nutritional quality.
- Toxic to fish and birds: Glyphosate exposure can be harmful to aquatic life and bird species, affecting their health, reproductive capabilities, and survival rates.
- Can kill insects: Glyphosate is toxic to various insects, including beneficial pollinators like bees, which are vital for crop pollination and maintaining ecological balance.
Can An Organic Cereal Contain GMOs?
No, an organic cereal will not contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This is because all USDA-certified organic products are free of GMOs. Organic farming practices strictly prohibit the use of GMOs, ensuring that the crops are grown from non-genetically modified seeds. Additionally, organic standards also restrict the use of synthetic pesticides and herbicides, including glyphosate.ย
Glyphosate, a common herbicide used in conventional farming, is banned in organic agriculture due to concerns about its potential health impacts and environmental effects. As a result, organic products, including cereals, are cultivated without these synthetic chemicals, offering a cleaner and more natural alternative for consumers seeking to avoid GMOs and glyphosate in their diets.
Our Criteria For Healthy, Glyphosate-Free, Non-GMO Cereals for Kids
When you are checking out cereals in the grocery store, here is what to look for on food labels:ย
- Low in sugar (ideally 5 grams or less is considered a low-sugar food, especially in added sugar)ย
- Uses organic ingredients
- Is certified gluten-free
- You can learn more about gluten here: Gluten-Free Diet Pros And Cons For Non-Celiacs
- Free of natural and artificial flavorsย
- No additives, like gums or BHTย
- No food dyesย
- No vegetable or seed oilsย
- Free of stevia
- You can learn more about stevia here: Is Stevia Safe During Pregnancyโฆ Or At All?
All in all, you want your cereal to be certified organic (bonus points if it is glyphosate residue-free), low in sugar, and have minimal ingredients.
Healthiest Non-GMO, Glyphosate-Free Cereals for Kids
- Ingredients from their Sunflower Cereal, Real Cocoa flavor: Cassava, Sunflower Protein, Dates, Cocoa Powder, Coconut Sugar, Coconut Oil, Vanilla Extract, Sea Salt
- Total Sugar: 5 grams
- Added Sugar: 1 gram
- Pros: Glyphosate residue free certified, Non-GMO Project Verified, No Grains and No Gluten, No Refined Sugar, 100% Real Food, No Artificial Flavors, Kosher, sweetened with dates and coconut sugar, uses coconut oil, has 5g of protein per serving
- Cons: Not organic
- Ingredients from their Honey flavor: Cassava, Honey, Coconut Sugar, Coconut Oil, Sea Salt, Vanilla
- Total Sugar: 7 gramsย
- Added Sugar: 7 grams
- Pros: USDA Organic, Certified Gluten Free, Top 9 Allergen Free, Non-GMO, Glyphosate Free
- Cons: Some people may not like the taste if theyโre used to ultra-sugary brands
- Ingredients from their Honey Peanut Butter flavor: Sorghum, Organic Certified Gluten-Free Oats, Almonds, Maple Syrup, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Honey, Organic Quinoa, Organic Coconut Nectar, Organic Coconut Sugar, Peanut Butter, Cinnamon, Sea Salt, Organic Puffed Amaranth, Organic Chia Seeds, Vanilla Extract, Organic Plant-Based Vitamin D3 (VegD3), Vitamin E (Mixed Tocopherols) Added to Preserve Freshness.
- Total Sugar: 7 grams total
- Added Sugar: 6 grams
- Pros: Made with organic ingredients, sweetened with maple syrup and coconut nectar/sugar, uses coconut oilย
- Cons: Not gluten-free
- A percentage of each sale of EnviroKidz cereal goes to animal conservation efforts and global educational programs.
- Ingredients from their Berry Blast Cheetah Chomps flavor: Brown Rice Flour, Corn Flour, Cane Sugar, Gluten Free Whole Grain Oat Flour, Pomegranate Juice Concentrate, Freeze Dried Berry Powders (Raspberry, Strawberry), Sea Salt, Black Carrot Juice Concentrate (Color), Vegetable Powder (Kale, Broccoli, Carrot, Spinach, Beet, Green Cabbage, Parsley), Berry Flavors (Blackberry, Strawberry, Raspberry)
- Total Sugar: 11 grams
- Added Sugar: 9 grams
- Pros: Certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified Gluten Free; Free of synthetic colors, artificial flavors or preservatives, synthetic herbicides and pesticides
- Cons: Includes cane sugar – best to limit
- Ingredients from their Brown Rice Crisps flavor: Sprouted Whole Grain Brown Rice, Organic Coconut Sugar, Unrefined Salt, Tocopherols (Vitamin E)
- Total Sugar: 1 gram
- Added Sugar: 1 gram
- Pros: Organic, Gluten-Free, Certified Glyphosate Residue Free, Sustainably Farmed, low in sugar
- Cons: N/A
- Ingredients from their original flavor: Bean blend (navy beans, lentils, garbanzo beans), brown rice flour, salt, vitamin E (to maintain freshness).
- Total Sugar: 1 gramย
- Added Sugar: 0 grams
- Pros: Non-GMO, gluten-free, very low sugar, minimal ingredientsย
- Cons: Not organic and may not like the taste if used to sugary cerealsย
Healthy-ish Options (Organic, Non-GMO, & Glyphosate-Free, but higher in sugar)
Healthy-ish alternatives for families who are new to healthy eating and are looking for comparable, healthier alternatives to ultra-sugary brands.
In no particular order – some have gluten, seed oils, undisclosed natural flavorings, etc…
- Ingredients from their Organic Sprouted Grain Cereal Original flavor: Organic Sprouted Wheat, Filtered Water, Organic Malted Barley, Organic Sprouted Barley, Organic Sprouted Millet, Organic Sprouted Lentils, Organic Sprouted Soybeans, Organic Sprouted Spelt, Sea Salt.
- Total Sugar: 1 gramย
- Added Sugar: 1 gramย
- Pros: USDA Organic, all real food ingredients, 8 grams of protein per serving, low in sugar
-
Cons: Not gluten free
2 - Uncle Sam Cereal
- Ingredients from their Toasted Whole Wheat Berry Flakes & Flaxseed Original flavor: Whole grain wheat, flaxseed, barley malt, salt
- Total Sugar: <1 gramย
- Added Sugar: 0 gramย
- Pros: Non-GMO, minimal ingredients, very low sugarย
- Cons: Not organic, not gluten free
3 - Annieโs Cereal
- Ingredients from their Cocoa Bunnies flavor: Whole Grain Oats, Whole Grain Corn Meal, Cane Sugar, Rice Flour, Cocoa Powder, Tapioca Syrup, Sunflower Oil, Invert Cane Syrup, Sea Salt, Calcium Phosphate, Baking Soda, Sugar Syrup, Vanilla Extract, Natural Flavor. Vitamin E (Mixed Tocopherols) Added To Retain Freshness.
- Total Sugar: 11 grams
- Added Sugar: 10 grams
- Pros: USDA Organic, Kosher
- Cons: Uses sunflower oil, contains natural flavorsย
4 - Barbaraโs Cereal
- Ingredients from their Original Puffins flavor: Yellow Corn Flour, Corn Bran Flour, Unsulphured Molasses, Whole Oat Flour, Expeller Pressed High Oleic Oil (Canola And/or Sunflower), Salt, Baking Soda, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Natural Vitamin E (Mixed Tocopherols To Maintain Freshness).
- Total Sugar: 6 gramsย
- Added Sugar: 6 gramsย
- Pros: Non-GMO, sweetened with molasses
- Cons: Not organic, uses canola and/or sunflower oilย
5 - Catalina Crunch Cereal
- Ingredients from their Cinnamon Toast flavor: Catalina Flour (Pea Protein, Potato Fiber, Non-GMO Corn Fiber, Chicory Root Fiber, Guar Gum), Tapioca Flour, High Oleic Sunflower Oil And/Or Calcium Carbonate, Stevia Extract, Monk Fruit Extract
- Total Sugar: 0 grams
- Added Sugar: 0 grams
- Pros: Does Not Contain Any of the 9 Major Allergens, Non-GMO, Vegan, Plant-Based, Gluten-Free, Kosher, Vegan, includes sources of protein and fiberย
- Cons: Not organic, uses sunflower oil, sweetened with stevia
6 - Cascadian Farms Cereal
- Ingredients from their Mixed Berry flavor: Whole Grain Wheat (Organic), Rice (Organic), Date Powder (Organic), Sunflower Oil (Organic), Coconut Oil (Organic), Dried Blueberries (Organic), Dried Strawberries (Organic), Sea Salt, Natural Flavor (Organic). Vitamin E (Mixed Tocopherols) Added To Preserve Freshness
- Total Sugar: 6 grams
- Added Sugar: 0 grams
- Pros: No Artificial Sweeteners, Non-GMO, Uses organic ingredients, No Synthetic Color, No Artificial Preservatives, No Added Sugar, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, Vegan, No Artificial Flavors, No Hydrogenated Oil, No Artificial Colors, Plant-Based, Whole Grain, Sweetened with dates and fruits, uses coconut oilย
- Cons: Uses sunflower oil, contains natural flavors (at least they are organic)
7 - Forager Cereal
- Ingredients from their Organic Grain Free Oโs cinnamon flavor: Cassava Root, Navy Beans, Cane Sugar, Cinnamon, Sunflower Oil And/or Safflower Oil, Pea Protein.
- Total Sugar: 4 grams
- Added Sugar: 3 gramsย
- Pros: USDA Organic, gluten and grain free for those who cannot have, has some protein (4 grams per serving)ย
- Cons: Uses sunflower and/or safflower oilย
8 - KASHI Cereal
- Ingredients from their Organic Honey Toasted flavor: Whole Oat Flour*, Degerminated Yellow Cornmeal*, Invert Cane Syrup*, Oat Fiber*, Honey*, Salt, Expeller Pressed Canola Oil*, Natural Flavor, Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E) For Freshness.
- Total Sugar: 5 grams
- Added Sugar:
- Pros: USDA organic, kosher, uses honey as a sweetener
- Cons: Uses canola oil, contains natural flavors, uses cane syrup – best to avoid
9 - Magic Spoon Cereal
- Ingredients from their Fruity Keto and Grain-Free Cereal flavor: Milk Protein Blend (Casein, Whey Protein Concentrate), Sweetener Blend (Allulose, Monk Fruit Extract), Oil Blend (High Oleic Sunflower Oil, Avocado Oil), Tapioca Starch, Inulin (From Chicory Root And/Or Agave), Natural Flavor, Salt, Turmeric Extract, Spirulina Extract, Vegetable Juice (For Color) Adds A Trivial Amount Of Sugar
- Total Sugar: 0 grams
- Added Sugar: 0 grams
- Pros: High Protein, Low Carb, Keto-Friendly, Gluten Free, Grain Free, uses turmeric and spirulina, sweetened with monk fruitย
- Cons: Uses sunflower oil, contains natural flavors, contains milk protein for those who cannot haveย
10 - Three Wishes Cereal
- Ingredients from their Cinnamon flavor: Chickpea, Tapioca, Pea Protein, Organic Cane Sugar, Cinnamon, Natural Flavors, Salt and Monk Fruit
- Total Sugar: 3 grams
- Added Sugar: 3 grams
- Pros: Non-GMO Project Verified, Low sugar, Plant Based, No Wheat, Corn, Dairy, or Soy, Vegan
- Cons: Not all organic ingredients, contains natural flavorsย
11 - Weetabix Biscuits Cereal
- Ingredients from Whole Grain Cereal, Lightly Sweet Whole Grain Wheat Biscuits: Whole Wheat, Barley Malt Extract, Organic Dehydrated Cane Syrup, Salt, Iron, Niacin, Thiamine Hydrochloride (B1)
- Total Sugar: 2 grams
- Added Sugar: 2 gramsย
- Pros: Whole grain, some organic ingredients, not many ingredientsย
- Cons: Not all organic, uses cane syrup – best to avoid, does not disclose the source of iron or niacin on labelย
Worst Cereal Options (That Look Healthy)
Most mainstream conventional cereal brands fall into the โworstโ category. This is not an exhaustive list – there are hundreds of brands out there.
1 - General Mills Cereal - Cheerios
- Ingredients from Whole-Grain Cereal flavor: Whole Grain Oats, Corn Starch, Sugar, Salt, Tripotassium Phosphate. Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) Added to Preserve Freshness. Vitamins and Minerals: Calcium Carbonate, Iron and Zinc (mineral nutrients), Vitamin C (sodium ascorbate), A B Vitamin (niacinamide), Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), Vitamin A (palmitate), Vitamin B1 (thiamin mononitrate), A B Vitamin (folic acid), Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3.
- Total Sugar: 2 grams
- Added Sugar: 1 gram
- Pros: Whole grain oats, minimal additives, not a lot of sugarย
- Cons: Not organic, not gluten-free oats, tested with high amounts of glyphosate (Cereals and Snacks – Moms Across America), uses less bioavailable forms of vitamins
2 - Fruity Pebbles Cereal
- Ingredients from Fruity Pebbles Breakfast Cereal: Rice, Sugar, Canola And/Or Soybean Oil, Salt, Contains 1% Or Less Of: Natural And Artificial Flavor, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Turmeric Oleoresin (Color), Bht And Bha Added To Preserve Freshness. Vitamins And Minerals: Sodium Ascorbate And Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Reduced Iron, Zinc Oxide, Vitamin A Palmitate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Thiamin Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Folic Acid, Vitamin D3, Vitamin B12.
- Total Sugar: 12 grams
- Added Sugar: 12 grams
- Pros: N/A
- Cons: Not organic nor Non-GMO; uses corn syrup, canola and/or soybean oil and natural & artificial flavor; contains additives and food dyes; includes less bioavailable forms of nutrientsย
3 - Lucky Charms Cereal
- Ingredients from Lucky Charms Cereal: Whole Grain Oats, Sugar, Whole Grain Corn, Corn Starch, Corn Syrup, Dextrose, Contains 2% Or Less Of: Salt, Modified Corn Starch, Gelatin, Trisodium Phosphate, Red 40, Yellow 5 & 6, Blue 1, Natural And Artificial Flavor, Vitamin E (Mixed Tocopherols) Added To Preserve Freshness. Vitamins And Minerals: Calcium Carbonate, Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbate), Iron And Zinc (Mineral Nutrients), A B Vitamin (Niacinamide), Vitamin B, (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride), Vitamin B1 (Thiamin Mononitrate), Vitamin A (Palmitate), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), A B Vitamin (Folic Acid), Vitamin B12 Vitamin D3.
- Total Sugar: 12 grams
- Added Sugar: 12 grams
- Pros: N/A
- Cons: Not organic nor Non-GMO; uses corn syrup and natural & artificial flavor; contains additives and food dyes; includes less bioavailable forms of nutrientsย
4 - Cookie Crisp Cereal
- Ingredients from Cookie Crisp Cereal: Whole Grain Corn, Sugar, Corn Meal, Cocoa Processed With Alkali, Brown Sugar Syrup, Canola And/Or Sunflower Oil, Corn Flour, Corn Syrup, Salt, Baking Soda, Natural Flavor, Annatto Extract Color, Vitamins And Minerals: Calcium Carbonate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbate), Iron And Zinc (Mineral Nutrients), A B Vitamin (Niacinamide), Vitamin Bโ (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride), Vitamin Bโ (Thiamin Mononitrate), Vitamin A (Palmitate), Vitamin Bโ (Riboflavin), A B Vitamin (Folic Acid), Vitamin Bโโ, Vitamin Dโ
- Total Sugar: 12 grams
- Added Sugar: 12 grams
- Pros: N/A
- Cons: Not organic nor Non-GMO; uses corn syrup, canola and/or sunflower oil and natural flavor; includes less bioavailable forms of nutrients
5 - Apple Jacks Cereal
- Ingredients from Kelloggโs Apple Jacks: Corn Flour Blend (Whole Grain Yellow Corn Flour, Degerminated Yellow Corn Flour), Sugar, Wheat Flour, Whole Grain Oat Flour, Modified Food Starch, Contains 2% Or Less Of Vegetable Oil (Hydrogenated Coconut, Soybean And/Or Cottonseed), Oat Fiber, Salt, Soluble Corn Fiber, Degerminated Yellow Corn Flour, Dried Apples, Apple Juice Concentrate, Cornstarch, Cinnamon, Natural Flavor, Modified Corn Starch, Yellow 6, Wheat Starch, Baking Soda, Yellow 5, Red 40, Blue 1, Bht For Freshness. Vitamins And Minerals: Reduced Iron, Niacinamide, Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B1 (Thiamin Hydrochloride), Folic Acid, Vitamin D3, Vitamin B12.
- Total Sugar: 13 grams
- Added Sugar: 13 grams
- Pros: N/A
- Cons: Not organic nor Non-GMO; uses vegetable oil and natural flavor; contains food dyes; includes less bioavailable forms of nutrients
6 - Frosted Flakes Cereal
- Ingredients from Frosted Flakes Breakfast Cereal: Milled Corn, Sugar, Malt Flavor, Contains 2% Or Less Of Salt, Vitamins And Minerals: Iron (Ferric Phosphate), Niacinamide, Vitamin Bโ (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride), Vitamin Bโ (Riboflavin), Vitamin Bโ (Thiamin Hydrochloride), Folic Acid, Vitamin Dโ, Vitamin Bโโ
- Total Sugar: 12 grams
- Added Sugar: 12 grams
- Pros: N/A
- Cons: Not organic nor Non-GMO, uses malt flavor, includes less bioavailable forms of nutrientsย
7 - Fruit Loops Cereal
- Ingredients from Kelloggโs Froot Loops Breakfast Cereal: Corn Flour Blend (Whole Grain Yellow Corn Flour, Degerminated Yellow Corn Flour), Sugar, Wheat Flour, Whole Grain Oat Flour, Modified Food Starch, Contains 2% Or Less Of Vegetable Oil (Hydrogenated Coconut, Soybean And/Or Cottonseed), Oat Fiber, Maltodextrin, Salt, Soluble Corn Fiber, Natural Flavor, Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, Yellow 6, Bht For Freshness, Vitamins And Minerals: Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Reduced Iron, Niacinamide, Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B1 (Thiamin Hydrochloride), Folic Acid, Vitamin D3, Vitamin B12.
- Total Sugar: 12 grams
- Added Sugar: 12 grams
- Pros: N/A
- Cons:ย Not organic, Not Non-GMO; uses corn syrup, vegetable oil, natural flavor, and maltodextrin; contains food dyes; includes less bioavailable forms of nutrientsย
8 - Cocoa Puffs
- Ingredients from their Cocoa Puffs flavor: Whole Grain Corn, Sugar, Rice Flour, Corn Syrup, Cocoa Processed with Alkali, Canola and/or Sunflower Oil, Color (caramel color and annatto extract), Salt, Baking Soda, Natural Flavor, Rosemary Extract. Vitamins and Minerals: Tricalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamin C (sodium ascorbate), Iron and Zinc (mineral nutrients), A B Vitamin (niacinamide), Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), Vitamin B1 (thiamin mononitrate), Vitamin A (palmitate), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), A B Vitamin (folic acid), Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3.
- Total Sugar: 12 grams
- Added Sugar: 12 gramsย
- Pros: N/A
- Cons: Not organic nor Non-GMO; uses corn syrup, canola and/or sunflower oil, and natural flavor; includes less bioavailable forms of nutrients
9 - Trix
- Ingredients from 6 Fruity Shapes: Whole Grain Corn, Sugar, Rice Flour, Corn Syrup, Canola and/or Sunflower Oil, Salt, Trisodium Phosphate, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Red 40, Yellow 6, Blue 1 and Other Color Added, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Rosemary Extract. Vitamins and Minerals: Calcium Carbonate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Vitamin C (sodium ascorbate), Iron and Zinc (mineral nutrients), A B Vitamin (niacinamide), Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), Vitamin B1 (thiamin mononitrate), Vitamin A (palmitate), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), A B Vitamin (folic acid), Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3.
- Total Sugar: 12 grams
- Added Sugar: 12 gramsย
- Pros: Kosher
- Cons: Not organic nor Non-GMO; tested with high amounts of glyphosate (Cereals and Snacks – Moms Across America); includes corn syrup, canola and/or soybean oil, food dyes, natural and artificial flavors; uses less bioavailable forms of nutrientsย
10 - Cinnamon Toast Crunch
- Ingredients from Cinnamon Toast Crunch: Whole Grain Wheat, Sugar, Rice Flour, Canola and/or Sunflower Oil, Fructose, Maltodextrin, Dextrose, Salt, Cinnamon, Trisodium Phosphate, Soy Lecithin, Caramel Color, Rosemary Extract. BHT Added to Preserve Freshness. Vitamins and Minerals: Calcium Carbonate, Vitamin C (sodium ascorbate), Iron and Zinc (mineral nutrients), A B Vitamin (niacinamide), Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), Vitamin B1 (thiamin mononitrate), Vitamin A (palmitate), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), A B Vitamin (folic acid), Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3.
- Total Sugar: 12 grams
- Added Sugar: 12 gramsย
- Pros: N/A
- Cons: Made with canola and/or sunflower oil, includes additives like maltodextrin and BHT, uses less bioavailable forms of nutrients, not organic nor Non-GMO
11 - KRAVE
- Ingredients from their chocolate cereal flavor Chocolate flavored filling (sugar, soybean oil, whey, cocoa processed with alkali, chocolate, soy lecithin, palm oil, vanilla extract), sugar, whole wheat flour, whole grain oat flour, rice flour, contains 2% or less of brown sugar syrup, corn bran, oat fiber, salt, palm oil, natural flavor, beta-carotene for color, annatto extract color. Vitamins and Minerals: Reduced iron, vitamin B1 (thiamin hydrochloride), niacinamide, zinc oxide, calcium pantothenate, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), folic acid, vitamin D3.
- Total Sugar: 15 grams
- Added Sugar: 14 gramsย
- Pros: N/A
- Cons: made with soybean oil, higher in sugar, includes natural flavor and less bioavailable forms of nutrients, not organic nor Non-GMO
12 - Honey Bunches of Oats
- Ingredients from their Honey Roasted flavor: Corn, Whole Grain Wheat, Sugar, Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Rice, Canola and/or Soybean Oil, Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Corn Syrup, Salt, Molasses, Honey, Caramel Color, Barley Malt Extract, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Annatto Extract (color), BHT added to preserve freshness.
- Total Sugar: 9 grams
- Added Sugar: 8 gramsย
- Pros: Includes whole grains, sweetened with molasses and honey
- Cons: Uses canola and/or soybean oil; sweetened with corn syrup; made with caramel color, natural and artificial flavor, and BHT
13 - Special K
- Ingredients from their fruit and yogurt flavor: Whole grain wheat, rice, sugar, whole grain oats, wheat bran, contains 2% or less of salt, corn syrup, brown sugar syrup, palm kernel oil, dried apples, malt flavor, rice flour, natural flavor, mixed tocopherols for freshness, molasses, vegetable juice for color, citric acid, nonfat milk, nonfat yogurt powder (cultured nonfat milk [heat-treated after culturing]), honey, soy lecithin, malt extract, lactic acid, cinnamon, BHT for freshness. Vitamins and Minerals: Iron, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E acetate, niacinamide, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), vitamin B1 (thiamin hydrochloride), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), beta-carotene, folic acid, vitamin D3, vitamin B12.
- Total Sugar: 23 grams
- Added Sugar: 22 grams
- Pros: Contains whole grains
- Cons: Not organic nor Non-GMO; includes corn syrup, natural flavor, and BHT; higher sugar contentย
14 - Raisin Bran
- Ingredients from their Original flavor Whole grain wheat, raisins, wheat bran, sugar, brown sugar syrup. Contains 2% or less of malt flavor, salt.
- Total Sugar: 17 gramsย
- Added Sugar: 9 gramsย
- Pros: uses whole grains and raisins, minimal ingredients
- Cons: Higher sugar content, includes malt flavor, not organic nor Non-GMO
15 - Capโn Crunch
- Ingredients from their Crunch Berries: Corn Flour, Sugar, Oat Flour, Palm and/or Coconut Oil, Salt, Molasses, Sodium Citrate, Malic Acid, Red 40, Reduced Iron, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Yellow 5, Niacinamide (One of the B Vitamins), Blue 1, Yellow 6, BHT (to Preserve Freshness), Thiamine Mononitrate (One of the B Vitamins), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (One of the B Vitamins), Riboflavin (One of the B Vitamins), Folic Acid (One of the B Vitamins).
- Total Sugar: 16 grams
- Added Sugar: 15 grams
- Pros: uses coconut oil and molassesย
- Cons: contains additives, food dyes and artificial and natural flavors; higher in sugar, not organic nor Non-GMO
16 - Great Grains
- Ingredients from their Banana Nut Crunch cereal: Whole Grain Wheat, Cane Sugar, Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Rice, Walnuts, Almonds, Expeller Pressed Canola Oil, Dried Bananas, Salt, Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Rice Syrup, Molasses, Natural Flavor, BHT added to preserve freshness.
- Total Sugar: 10 grams
- Added Sugar: 9 gramsย
- Pros: Non-GMO, uses whole grains and nuts, 6 grams of protein per servingย
- Cons: Contains natural flavor and BHT, uses canola oil
17 - Wheaties
- Ingredients from their Wheaties Classic cereal: Whole Grain Wheat, Sugar, Honey, Salt. Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) Added to Preserve Freshness. Vitamins and Minerals: Iron and Zinc (mineral nutrients), Vitamin C (sodium ascorbate), A B Vitamin (niacinamide), Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Vitamin B1 (thiamin mononitrate), Vitamin A (palmitate), A B Vitamin (folic acid), Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3.
- Total Sugar: 5 grams
- Added Sugar: 5 gramsย
- Pros: Considered a low sugar food with 5 grams of sugar
- Cons: Not organic nor Non-GMO, tested with high amounts of glyphosate (Cereals and Snacks – Moms Across America)
Vote With Your Dollars to Stop GMOs in Kidโs Cereal
Industries often change quickly if their sales drop, so your purchasing choices can really make a difference. By buying products from companies that avoid GMOs, you can encourage more brands to follow suit.ย
To get more involved, you might support the Non-GMO Project, which helps identify non-GMO products, or the Cornucopia Institute, which promotes sustainable farming. Moms Across America is another group raising awareness about GMOs in childrenโs food. Signing petitions, following these organizations, and spreading the word can all help drive change in the food industry.
Looking for more non-GMO products? You can purchase Non-GMO products here: In On Around Shopย
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Other references on Theย Best Non-GMO, Glyphosate-Free, Healthy Cereals for Kids from: Integrative Nutrition, School Yard Snacks, Organic Authority, Moms Across America, Environmental Working Group, Can’t Change What You Don’t Know, Dr Axe, NIH, Science Direct, Natures Path, Ecology Center
Copyright In On Around LLC 2024 ยฉ. The statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration). They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information provided by this website should not be used as individual medical advice and you should always consult your doctor for individual recommendations and treatment. The information contained in this site is provided on an “as is” basis. Related to this site, there are no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness, or timeliness. In On Around LLC assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this site.
Frequently Asked Questions โ The Best Non-GMO, Glyphosate-Free, Healthy Cereals for Kids
Click on the below FAQs to learn more about: genetically modified organisms, genetic engineering, genetic engineered cereal, and genetically modified food.
Healthy cereals are high in whole grains and fiber, low in added sugars, and free from artificial additives.
Yes, Many healthy cereals, such as those made from quinoa flakes, rice, or gluten-free oats, are available for gluten-free diets.
Choose cereals with 5 grams or less of sugar per serving and minimal added sugars by checking the nutrition label.
High-protein cereals often contain nuts, seeds, or added protein powders, with labels indicating higher protein content.
