22 Super-Sugary Cereals You Might Want To Skip

They may be nostalgic, but your blood sugar deserves better. Let’s face it—some breakfast cereals are more dessert than meal. While they’re colorful, crunchy, and often packed with childhood memories, many are loaded with added sugar and offer little nutritional value. If you’re trying to make smarter morning choices, here are 22 cereals that are basically candy in disguise.

1. Kellogg’s Honey Smacks

Honey Smacks is infamous for its high sugar content. Nearly 60% of each serving is sugar, making it one of the most sugar-laden cereals you can find on grocery shelves. Its sweetness is reminiscent of candy, not what you’d expect for breakfast.

The puffed wheat is glazed with sugar, creating a crunchy texture that many find irresistible. However, the nutritional value is minimal, offering little in terms of fiber or protein.

For those watching their sugar intake, Honey Smacks is a cereal to avoid. While tasty, it’s a treat rather than a wholesome start to the day.

2. Post Golden Crisp

Post Golden Crisp, another cereal that packs a sugary punch, is known for its almost candy-like sweetness. Each serving brings a substantial amount of sugar, almost rivaling some candy bars.

The cereal’s sweet, crunchy puffs are a favorite among those who love sugary breakfasts. Despite their appeal, these puffs lack the nutritional balance needed for a healthy meal.

Golden Crisp doesn’t offer much in terms of vitamins or minerals, making it a less desirable choice for health-conscious consumers. It’s a sugary indulgence best enjoyed sparingly.

3. Froot Loops

Froot Loops captivates with its vibrant colors and fruity aroma, but it’s more than just a breakfast option. Each serving contains over 12 grams of sugar, delivering a sweet start to the morning.

The combination of artificial flavors and bright dyes creates a visually appealing cereal, especially for children. However, its nutritional content leaves much to be desired.

While Froot Loops might evoke a sense of nostalgia, it’s essential to remember that its sugar content far outweighs any nutritional benefits. Moderation is key for those choosing this breakfast.

4. Cap’n Crunch’s Crunch Berries

Cap’n Crunch’s Crunch Berries is a cereal that’s hard to resist, thanks to its colorful, crunchy texture. But with 17 grams of sugar per serving, it’s a breakfast that should be chosen with caution.

This cereal combines the classic Cap’n Crunch taste with fruity berry-flavored pieces, creating a dynamic blend of flavors and colors. It’s appealing to both the eye and the palate, especially for kids.

Despite its charm, Crunch Berries offers little nutritional value. Its high sugar content makes it a less-than-ideal choice for a healthy breakfast routine.

5. Cocoa Pebbles

Cocoa Pebbles is beloved for its rich chocolate flavor, a treat for the senses early in the day. Each bite delivers a sweet, cocoa-infused crunch, paired perfectly with cold milk.

However, this cereal is not just about taste. With 9-10 grams of sugar per serving, it’s a dessert masquerading as breakfast. Although it might satisfy a sweet tooth, it does little to balance nutrients.

Minimal fiber and protein mean that Cocoa Pebbles won’t keep you full for long, making it a less desirable option for those aiming for a nutritious morning meal.

6. Reese’s Puffs

Reese’s Puffs bring together two favorite flavors: peanut butter and chocolate. It’s a combination that delights the taste buds but, with 12 grams of sugar per serving, leans more towards candy than cereal.

The cereal pieces are shaped like miniature peanut butter cups, offering a rich, indulgent taste that’s hard to resist. This cereal is a hit among children and adults alike.

While it might be tempting to indulge, Reese’s Puffs offers little in terms of wholesome nutrition. It’s a sugary delight best enjoyed occasionally, not as a daily staple.

7. Lucky Charms

Lucky Charms is famous for its whimsical marshmallow shapes and sweet taste, appealing to kids and nostalgic adults alike. Eating a bowl is like diving into a sugary, magical wonderland.

Each serving is loaded with sugar, thanks to those colorful charms. The combination of marshmallows and cereal pieces creates a texture that’s both crunchy and soft.

While Lucky Charms are a fun breakfast choice, they’re not the wisest when it comes to nutrition. The sugar outweighs any health benefits, making it a special treat rather than a daily go-to.

8. Apple Jacks

Apple Jacks promises a fruity flavor, but its real claim to fame is the 12 grams of sugar per serving. Despite its name, there’s little real apple in this cereal, just a sweet, cinnamon taste.

The colorful rings are visually appealing, capturing the attention of young breakfast eaters. However, the nutritional profile doesn’t match up to the enticing look.

It’s a cereal that’s more about enjoyment than health, ideal for occasional indulgence. Those seeking a balanced breakfast might want to explore options with more fiber and less sugar.

9. Cookie Crisp

Cookie Crisp is exactly what it sounds like: little cookies masquerading as cereal. It’s a breakfast choice that feels more like dessert, with its delightful chocolate chip pieces.

Each serving is a sugary experience, turning milk into a sweet treat. While it might be a dream come true for cookie lovers, it’s not the best option for a nutritious breakfast.

This cereal is high in sugar and low in beneficial nutrients, offering more of a sugar rush than lasting energy. For those looking for a healthy start, Cookie Crisp may not be the answer.

10. Trix

Trix might be “for kids,” but its vibrant, fruit-flavored shapes appeal to anyone with a sweet tooth. Each serving delivers 10-12 grams of sugar, wrapped in artificial colors and flavors.

The cereal is playful and fun, with shapes that resemble various fruits, though the taste is purely sugary. It’s a nostalgic choice for many who grew up with its cheerful commercials.

However, beyond the fun factor, Trix lacks a strong nutritional profile. It’s a cereal best enjoyed in moderation, especially for those mindful of sugar intake.

11. Cinnamon Toast Crunch

Cinnamon Toast Crunch entices with its sweet, cinnamon-sugar coated squares. The flavor is rich and comforting, making it a favorite for many breakfast enthusiasts.

Despite its delicious taste, this cereal is one of the highest in sugar content, which can be concerning for those monitoring their sugar intake. The cereal’s appeal lies in its balance of sweetness and spice, but it offers little in terms of nutritional benefits.

For a breakfast that satisfies without the sugar spike, alternatives with more fiber and protein might be preferable.

12. Frosted Flakes

Frosted Flakes are “grrreat” in taste, with their perfectly sweetened corn flakes. However, each cup contains around 12 grams of sugar, making it a sugary start to the day.

The cereal is a staple in many households, thanks to its appealing flavor and recognizable mascot, Tony the Tiger. The sugar coating adds a satisfying crunch, but it also means a higher calorie and sugar count.

While Frosted Flakes might be a beloved choice, those watching their sugar consumption should be cautious. It’s a nostalgic treat rather than a health-conscious choice.

13. Franken Berry

Franken Berry is a Halloween classic, known for its bright pink hues and sweet, berry flavor. This cereal is sweetened with multiple syrups and artificial dyes, making it a sugary indulgence.

With marshmallows and berry-flavored pieces, it’s a fun choice for the spooky season or any time of year. However, the sugar content is high, and it offers little in terms of vitamins or minerals.

As a seasonal treat, Franken Berry can be a delightful option, but it’s best kept as an occasional indulgence rather than a daily breakfast staple.

14. Count Chocula

Count Chocula brings a spooky twist to breakfast with its chocolatey flavor and marshmallow bits. It’s a cereal that’s as much about fun as it is about taste.

Each serving is packed with sugar, thanks to the combination of cocoa-flavored cereal and sweet marshmallows. It’s a Halloween favorite that’s become a year-round indulgence for some.

While it’s tempting to enjoy the playful theme and rich flavors, the nutritional value is minimal. Count Chocula is more of a treat than a nutritional powerhouse, perfect for occasional enjoyment.

15. Cocoa Puffs

Cocoa Puffs are celebrated for their ability to transform ordinary milk into a chocolate delight. Each serving packs around 12 grams of sugar, creating a cereal that’s more dessert-like than breakfast.

The allure of Cocoa Puffs lies in their intense chocolate flavor, appealing to children and adults alike. However, beyond the taste, the cereal offers little nutritional benefit.

For those who savor the chocolatey goodness, Cocoa Puffs may be an occasional indulgence. Those seeking a balanced breakfast should look for options with more protein and less sugar.

16. Nesquik Cereal

Nesquik Cereal takes the classic chocolate milk mix and turns it into a crunchy breakfast option. The result is a cereal that offers a chocolatey taste with each crunchy bite.

However, with its high sugar content, it’s more akin to having a dessert than a nutritious start to the day. The cereal’s appeal is undeniable for chocolate lovers, but the nutritional value is lacking.

It’s a tempting choice for those who love chocolate, but moderation is key. For a balanced breakfast, other cereals might provide more nutritional benefits.

17. Pops (Corn Pops)

Pops, known to many as Corn Pops, are loved for their sweet, syrupy taste and crunchy texture. The cereal is coated in a sugary glaze that provides a quick burst of sweetness.

Though they’re appealing, Corn Pops offer minimal fiber and protein, leading to a fast blood sugar spike. This can be a concern for those monitoring their sugar levels.

While they’re a fun and sweet option, Pops may not be the best choice for a nutritious breakfast. Their high sugar content makes them a treat rather than a daily staple.

18. Krave

Krave cereal offers a unique twist with its chocolate-filled pillows that many find irresistible. This cereal is all about indulgence, with 12 grams of sugar per serving.

The crunchy outer shell gives way to a soft, chocolatey center, providing a satisfying taste experience. However, its nutritional profile is less impressive, lacking fiber and protein.

Krave is a cereal that delights the senses but should be consumed sparingly. It’s an option better suited for an occasional treat rather than a regular breakfast choice.

19. Frosted Mini-Wheats

Frosted Mini-Wheats seem like a fiber-rich choice, but each piece is coated in sugar, creating a deceptive breakfast option. The cereal balances sweetness with the earthy taste of whole wheat.

While the fiber content is commendable, the sugar coating adds unnecessary calories and sweeteners. This makes it a less-than-ideal choice for those aiming for a low-sugar breakfast.

Despite the fiber benefits, Frosted Mini-Wheats should be eaten with caution. It’s a cereal that promises a lot but might not deliver the healthy start one expects.

20. Rice Krispies Treats Cereal

Rice Krispies Treats Cereal takes the beloved dessert bar and transforms it into a breakfast option. Each bowl is filled with clusters of rice and marshmallow, offering a sweet start to the day.

With more sugar than protein, it’s a cereal that leans towards indulgence rather than nourishment. The texture is light and crunchy, mimicking the original treat’s appeal.

While it’s a fun and nostalgic choice, Rice Krispies Treats Cereal lacks the nutritional balance necessary for a wholesome breakfast. Enjoy as a treat, not a daily ritual.

21. French Toast Crunch

French Toast Crunch offers a miniature version of the classic breakfast, with bite-sized toast shapes coated in cinnamon and sugar. Each piece is a burst of flavor, reminiscent of the real thing.

However, it’s more of a sweet indulgence than a nutritious choice, high in sugar and low in essential nutrients. The cereal’s playful appearance and taste make it a hit with kids.

For those who enjoy a sweet breakfast, French Toast Crunch is a fun option, but it’s best savored occasionally rather than as a daily staple.

22. Waffle Crisp

Waffle Crisp captures the essence of waffles in cereal form, with its uniquely shaped pieces and sweet maple flavor. It’s a breakfast that feels like a treat, thanks to its high sugar content.

The cereal offers a nostalgic taste experience, reminiscent of syrup-drenched waffles. However, the sugar levels make it less ideal for a nutritious breakfast.

For those who adore the taste of waffles, Waffle Crisp is a delightful option. Yet, it’s best enjoyed as an occasional indulgence, not a regular morning meal.