Here in the US, we eat a lot of cereal, so is it really surprising that the cereal aisle(s) keeps getting that little bit longer? Whether you’re a serial cereal devourer or just an occasional snacker; there’s no denying that a bowl of cereal is the nation’s go-to breakfast.
What might surprise you, is how many breakfast cereals are honey flavored. Honey makes for a super sweet cereal and it’s all-natural… but does it make for a healthy breakfast to smother good old whole grains in honey?
Sections
Post Honey Bunches of Oats Honey Roasted
Honey Bunches of Oats, Honey Roasted by Post combine crispy flakes with crunchy granola bites and all of it coated in natural honey. Cholesterol-free, this popular cereal is packed with whole grains and 10 vitamins and minerals.
Honey Bunches of Oats contains whole grain wheat, so it is not gluten-free. It also contains honey, which is not vegan, as well as Vitamin D which is derived from lanolin, found in sheep wool. With 42g of carbohydrate per serving, it is not suitable for a keto diet either. Expect just 2g of protein and 2g of fiber in every bowl.
Three Wishes Protein & Gluten-Free Honey Cereal
Three Wishes: Honey cereal almost seems too good to be true! These delicious, nutritious hoops are made from chickpea, tapioca, and pea protein, so they’re totally grain-free! This makes them suitable for a gluten-free diet.
They claim to be vegan too – with honey flavoring not taken from real honey. This cereal is slightly more accessible for keto dieters, containing just 18g of carbohydrate per serving. As for protein, it ranks above average at 8g; whereas the lack of grains means fiber content is just 3g.
General Mills Fiber One Honey Clusters Breakfast Cereal
Fiber One Cereal with Real Honey by General Mills is a good cereal for anyone who actually wants the real benefits of eating whole grain oats and wheat. Another combination of flakes and toasted oat granola, it is low in fat, cholesterol-free, and contains 10 vitamins and minerals.
However, big surprise… this honey, whole grain cereal is neither gluten-free nor vegan. It definitely is not keto either, serving up 45g of carbohydrates. Expect to find 4g of protein and its pièce de résistance: a fabulous 10g of fiber in every bowl!
Lucky Charms Honey Clovers Cereal
For anyone who thought classic Lucky Charms didn’t have enough sugar… meet Lucky Charms Honey Clovers. Prepare to pay your sweet tooth some serious overtime because one portion of this wipes out 24% of your recommended daily sugar intake.
This cereal contains 12 vitamins and minerals, as well as 4 different artificial colors. Yum. Made from whole grain corn and rice flour, this cereal is gluten-free. It is absolutely not vegan, however, containing: honey, Vitamin D, and Gelatin. 31g of carbs make it un-keto friendly and it ranks impressively below average with 1g of protein and 1g of fiber per serving.
Kashi Go Honey Almond Flax Crunch Cereal
Kashi Go, Honey Almond Flax Crunch is a non-GMO breakfast cereal made from 100% whole grains, mixed with crunchy almonds, and sweetened with real honey.
It contains wheat, so it is not gluten-free; and honey and Vitamin D, so it isn’t vegan either. With a carb count of 35g, keto dieters will want to steer clear. It provides 9g of protein and 8g of fiber, which is higher than many other bowls of cereal.
KIND Breakfast Honey Almond Cereal
KIND Cereal Honey & Almond mixes natural oats with crunchy almonds and nutritious brown rice, flavored with honey and cinnamon for the taste of cinnamon toast without the added sugar… and carbs… and butter.
Hurrah another gluten-free cereal! It is not, however, vegan. Nor is it 35g of carbs keto-friendly. Expect a decent 6g of protein and 4g of fiber per serving.
Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes Honey Nut Cereal
Kellogg’s crossed the Honey Nut with the Frosted Flakes for (you guessed it) Honey Nut Frosted Flakes… creative, huh? This super sweet cereal is free from fat and cholesterol and about average among other cereals with 12g of sugar.
This cereal is gluten-free but not vegan since it contains real honey and Vitamin D. It isn’t keto either, with its 33g of carbohydrates. Protein is just 2g and fiber 1g per bowl.
Post Honey Oh’s Breakfast Cereal
Honey Oh’s by Post is a corn flour-based cereal with a seriously sweet, real honey flavor and a high sugar content compared to many other cereal competitors.
Being oat and corn-based it is gluten-free, but not vegan. It is also too high in carbs (33g) for keto dieters. Expect 1g of protein and less than 1g of fiber per serving.
General Mills Honey Nut Cheerios Heart Healthy Cereal
Honey Nut Cheerios by General Mills is a whole grain oat-based cereal, combining oat bran, corn starch, and canola oil with real honey. This cereal contains 12 vitamins and minerals, including folic acid.
Proudly gluten-free but unfortunately not vegan, due to both real honey and Vitamin D. This cereal is not keto-friendly either. Honey Nut Cheerios fans might be underwhelmed to learn this cereal contains an average of 3g of protein and 3g of fiber per serving.
General Mills Cheerios Oat Crunch Oats & Honey Cereal
Cheerios Oat Crunch: Oats ‘N Honey is yet another variation on original Cheerios; this time made from 5 whole grains and serving up more than half your recommended grain intake (because apparently, daily grain intake is a thing).
This cereal contains 9 vitamins and minerals but is neither gluten-free nor vegan. It isn’t keto either, with its 42g of carbs. Expect 4g of protein and 4g of fiber per serving.
Mom’s Best Honey Grahams Cereal
Honey Grahams by Mom’s Best Cereals is a whole grain cereal sweetened with real honey and free from artificial flavors or preservatives. Points for the 100% recyclable packaging, too! Is it healthy, though? Meh… That flavor comes from 28% of your recommended daily sugar allowance, as well as 4.5g of fat.
With whole grain wheat, it isn’t gluten-free. Nor vegan, thanks to the honey and Vitamin D3. Nope, not keto either (ahem 32g carbohydrates). Protein and fiber rank unremarkably at 2g each.
General Mills Honey Kix Whole Grain Cereal
This honey-doused spin on the original Kix Cereal is all about sweet flavor preference. These whole grain corn puffs are free from saturated fat and cholesterol and filled with a dozen vitamins and minerals.
Kix Cereal does not contain gluten but it does contain real honey and Vitamin D making it another nope in the vegan column. At 34g of carbs, it’s also another no for keto. Expect 3g of both protein and fiber per serving.
Chex Honey Nut Cereal
Natural corn, Honey Nut Chex is a gluten-free cereal flavored with real honey and just a hint of almond. With the appearance of shredded wheat, this cereal contains 14g of whole grain corn per serving and is free from artificial colors and flavors.
Chex contains 2g of protein and 2g of fiber per serving… and no, no it is not keto-friendly with its 38g of carbohydrates. Vegan? As if! Real honey, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12… enough said.
Kellogg’s Honey Smacks Cereal
Okay, so Honey Smacks… infamously one of the most unhealthy cereals in the US with a truly ridiculous 18g of sugar per serving. Kellogg’s Honey Smacks are among the least healthy thing you can put in a bowl at breakfast time. They are essentially puffed whole grain wheat, just drowned in sugar, glucose syrup, and honey (which are three types of the same thing).
Neither gluten-free nor vegan nor keto at 32g of carbohydrates. Honey Smacks contain 2g of protein and 2g of fiber per bowl. Even if they do contain 10 essential vitamins and minerals, with a truly un-essential 18g of sugar, no wonder mascot Dig’Em Frog is always grinning wildly – he’s been on a permanent sugar high for the last 50 years!
FAQs
Is honey cereal healthy?
Healthy is a strong word. Bottom line: no. Honey is a sweetener and while it might not be as bad as adding sugar, the difference is minimal.
Is honey cereal suitable for babies?
Honey (including honey cereals) is unsuitable for babies or infants under 12 months.
How many calories are in Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal?
130 calories per serving. That’s more than most competing, sugary cereals including Apple Jacks, Reese’s Puffs, Cookie Crisp, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
200, if you add 3/4 cup of skimmed milk.
What is the purpose of honey in cereal?
To sweeten it. In a way, it’s actually a good thing because buying presweetened cereal reduces the urge to add sugar or maple syrup yourself.
Similarly, honey is a natural sweetener, which is slightly better than cereal baked with sugar and artificial flavoring, including Apple Jacks, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Froot Loops, or Reese’s Puffs.
Honey also functions as an alternative flavor to the chocolatey taste of cereals such as Cocoa Krispies.
Final Thoughts
If you have a sweet tooth, honey cereal is going to taste delicious. The good news: it might prevent you from tipping half a bottle of syrup over your breakfast… The bad news, it also seriously raises the sugar content of otherwise perfectly inoffensive cereal.
If you do reach for a sugar hit in the AM, you might consider something like Kellogg’s Raisin Bran, or Special K., Or just good ol’ bran flakes. Then go ahead and add your fruit flavors with dried fruit or better yet: fresh fruit… sprinkle on some nuts and keep far, far away from anything with a grinning frog as the mascot.