First introduced in 1971 as a Flintstones tie-in Pebbles cereal has appeared in several flavors, remaining a hit at breakfast time with kids and those with a good sense of nostalgia to this day.
Pebbles are a crispy rice cereal resembling little rocks in a rainbow of colors when in classic Fruity Pebbles flavor.
Since the original Fruity Pebbles, Cocoa Pebbles have also become a permanent fixture from Post Consumer Brands. Both Cocoa and Fruity Pebbles come in permanent marshmallow Pebbles varieties for those who need their marshmallows at breakfast time.
As well as fruity and cocoa flavors, this sweetened rice cereal has been available in a huge list of temporary flavors, such as Cinnamon Pebbles, Candy Corn Pebbles, and Ice Cream Pebbles to name just a few.
The range of Pebbles products also covers snacks and treats to enjoy throughout the day.
Today we’re going to have a look at some of the flavors of Pebbles cereals and what sort of nutrition they offer.
Sections
Fruity Pebbles Cereal
The original formula, Fruity Pebbles are similar to Froot Loops with a big dose of artificial flavoring creating that classic flavor that you can only really get from fruit-flavored cereal.
Marshmallow Fruity Pebbles are a twist on the classic formula which capitalize on the cereal/marshmallow combo so beloved in Lucky Charms.
Various other temporary flavors of Fruity Pebbles cereal have been available throughout the years, such as Bamm Bamm Berry Pebbles, Winter Fruity Pebbles, Summer Berry Pebbles, and Fruity Pebbles Extreme, which boasted brighter colors and stronger flavors. Magic Fruity Pebbles were another temporary release that turned the milk purple.
As an hommage to Wilma Flintstone and her family, they even released Dino Pebbles.
Nutrition facts
A 36g serving of Fruity Pebbles contains –
% Daily Value *
- Calories 160
- Total Fat 1.6g
- Saturated fat 1.4g
- Monounsaturated fat 0.1g
- Polyunsaturated fat 0g
- Trans fat 0g
- Sodium 212.8mg 9%
- Potassium 28.8mg 1%
- Carbohydrates 34.4g
- Net carbs 34.1g
- Sugar 13.8g
- Fiber 0.3g 2%
- Protein 1.8g
- Vitamin A 333.2μg 38%
- Vitamin A IU 1111.2IU
- Vitamin B6 0.8mg 59%
- Vitamin B12 2.2μg 94%
- Vitamin C 8.9mg 15%
- Vitamin D 3μg 20%
- Vitamin D IU 118.4IU
- Vitamin D3 3μg
- Vitamin E 0.1mg 1%
- Vitamin K 0.5μg 1%
- Caffeine 0mg
- Calcium 7.6mg 1%
- Iron 2.7mg 34%
- Magnesium 6.4mg 2%
- Phosphorus 28.4mg 3%
Ingredients
- Rice
- Sugar
- Hydrogenated vegetable oil (coconut and palm kernel oils)
- Salt
- Contains less than 0.5% of natural and artificial flavor, Red 40, Yellow 6, Turmeric oleoresin (color), Blue 1, Yellow 5, Blue 2, Bha (to help protect flavor)
No, it doesn’t take a detective to figure out that Fruity Pebbles are not a healthy cereal. One look at the bright coloring and we can tell this is not a cereal that’s made using natural products.
Fruity Pebbles contains a series of artificial colors and preservatives to maintain its fruit flavor, though it has also been fortified with a host of important minerals and vitamins. While this is a bonus, there are much better cereals or natural ways to acquire these vitamins, here they’re added simply to counterweight Fruity Pebbles otherwise empty macronutrients.
The 160 calories in a 36g serving come primarily from simple carbohydrates and sugar, with 34.4g and 13.8g of each respectively, making them the primary source of energy in Fruity Pebbles. The minimal fiber count, 0.3g, provides no slow-release energy of these sugars, meaning you will feel no fullness after a bowl of Fruity Pebbles.
Fruity Pebbles are best off eaten alongside other more sustaining foods at breakfast to ensure you feel fuller on your way to lunchtime.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, Fruit Pebbles crisp rice cereal bits are suitable for a gluten-free diet.
Is it vegan?
Yes, there are no animal products in Fruity Pebbles so they are suitable, though there is one caveat.
Sugar when used in cereals is often whitened using bone char derived from animal bones, though this substance won’t be in the final cereal, its use in the process means some discretion is advised if you’re following a cruelty-free diet.
Is it keto?
No, Fruity Pebbles is very high in carbohydrates, 13g higher than the maximum daily amount allowed to let your body enter a ketosis state. It’s also very low in fat, which is crucial to the body’s production of ketones.
Protein and Fiber Content
Fruity Pebbles is low in many important macronutrients, especially fiber, of which it only has 0.3g. Fruity Pebbles is also very low in protein, containing only 1.8g. Heavily processed cereals are often low in important macros which get lost during the production process.
Cocoa Pebbles
Fruity Pebble’s sister cereal Cocoa Pebbles has been on shelves for 40 years, only a little less than Fruity Pebbles. The more subtle chocolate flavor and brown color are more pleasing to some consumers who find the brightness of the fruity original offputting. Plus you get to enjoy a bowl of chocolate milk afterward!
Nutrition facts
A 32g serving of Cocoa Pebbles cereal contains
% Daily Value *
- Calories 127
- Total Fat 1.3g
- Saturated fat 1.2g
- Monounsaturated fat 0.1g
- Polyunsaturated fat 0g
- Trans fat 0g
- Sodium 190.1mg 8%
- Potassium 61.8mg 2%
- Carbohydrates 27.4g
- Net carbs 26.9g
- Sugar 11.5g
- Fiber 0.5g 3%
- Protein 1.5g
- Vitamin A 248.3μg 28%
- Vitamin A IU 827.5IU
- Vitamin B6 0.5mg 42%
- Vitamin B12 1.7μg 70%
- Vitamin C 0mg 0%
- Vitamin D 2.2μg 15%
- Vitamin D IU 88.3IU
- Vitamin D3 2.2μg
- Vitamin E 0mg 1%
- Vitamin K 0.4μg 1%
Ingredients
- Rice
- Sugar
- Hydrogenated vegetable oil
- Cocoa
- Salt
- Caramel color
- Natural and artificial flavor
- Vitamins and minerals niacinamide
- Reduced iron
- Zinc oxide
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin A palmitate
- Riboflavin
- Thiamin mononitrate
- Folic acid
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin D3
Is it gluten free?
Yes, the crisp rice cereal bits in Cocoa Pebbles use no gluten-containing grains so are suitable for a restricted diet. Unfortunately, Cocoa Marshmallow Pebbles are not suitable for celiacs or gluten-free diets.
Is it vegan?
The Cocoa Pebbles formula contains no explicit animal products, although as above discretion is advised about sugar being whitened with bone char.
Is it keto?
No, this cereal is made using rice, which is a high source of carbohydrates and therefore unsuited to a keto diet, which requires a carbohydrate intake to be reduced to as close to zero as possible.
Increased fat intake is also necessary so the body can produce ketones while in a ketosis state, and with only 1.2g of fat, Cocoa Pebbles are not a sufficient energy source.
Protein and Fiber Content
Pretty poor representation of both macros here, with only 1.4g of protein in a serving and only 0.5g of fiber.
Final Thoughts
Over the years Pebbles cereal has released numerous variations on its original flavors, either for short or long-term releases. With puffed rice being so easy to flavor or add to, they’re a great medium for exploring different flavor combinations.
Stone Age Caramel Apple, Dino S’Mores Pebbles, Cupcake Pebbles, and birthday cake flavored pebbles are just a few of the crazy flavors Post have implemented over the years to keep their fans hooked.
While these temporary flavors come and go, Fruity Pebbles and Cocoa Pebbles will always be a popular choice at breakfast, and while they’re not the healthiest option, as long as you’re eating them as part of a balanced breakfast you could be doing much worse.