Best Cereals Reviewed & Compared
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Cereal, as mostly everyone knows, comprises of wheat, oats, chia, barley, etcetera. The grain comes from the word “Ceres” which is the name of the Roman goddess of harvest and agriculture. So, it comes as no surprise that the food grain is being consumed daily regardless of age for different purposes. Children eat it for growth, while adults use it for weight loss and overall body maintenance.
And this is despite the fact that cereal can be processed into different forms for human consumption. From cakes and bread to desserts and granola bars—the forms are many. Now, with that point, cereals still can underwhelm body performance due to the method (ingredients and processing) used by the manufacturers.
Top 3 Picks
- Quaker instant Oatmeal
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Our rating - 100% 0ats
- Price: See Here
- Bob's Red Mill
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Our rating - Gluten free
- Price: See Here
- Kind
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Our rating - 0% trans-fat
- Price: See Here
Ideally, you as a consumer should only pick cereals high in fiber and low in sugar, but as sweet things automatically appeal to humans, many manufacturers cheat the game. Wherein they do the complete opposite—the cereal will be filled to the brim with sugar, while fiber levels will be very low. The former is the bad scenario, sugar equals fat (bad fat mind you), and fat, in the long run, lead to a whole lot of problems/complications.
You’ll find heart disease and diabetes at the top of the ladder. On the other hand, fiber is a direct counter to sugar since it improves heart health amongst many others. But enough about that for now, because to treat the topic of cereals, we’ve compiled some of the best ones that money can buy. Or in other terms, the best ones for you as a consumer.
10 Best Cereals
Quaker Instant Oatmeal
There's no preservatives or additives that will damage the product's overall effectiveness. So, this means the cereal is extremely high in fibers and low in sugar. Though, do keep note that this doesn't mean the cereal isn't sweet. In the long run, this helps reduce blood fat (cholesterol) which in turns improves heart health and reduces the risk of diabetes. The whole point of this product is its suitability for all kinds of individual. Anyone with diabetes or heart disease can eat this cereal with no negative effect since as evidenced above, it will even help them. Or, you can as well simply be a normal consumer looking for a good cereal to eat.
Includes 48 packets which are 4 boxes (12 packets per box)
It's made from 100% oats
Good source of iron, calcium, and vitamins
Strawberries, blueberries, walnuts, honey etcetera can be added for an explosive taste
Price
Another remarkable part of this product is the price. The value for money is exceptional and anyone regardless of budget should certainly give the cereal a buy.
Conclusion
The cereal isn't too sweet nor is it bland. It's highly balanced in terms of taste and you can even factor in other ingredients like berries and honey. Also, the cereal is 100% oats and with it comes benefits like cholesterol reduction which will be appreciated by individuals with diabetes. Now, if all of these hasn't convinced you yet, think of the price.
Remarkable value for money
100% oats
No additive or preservatives
Sweet but not overly so
Suitable for individuals with diabetes
Can be quickly prepared
Maintains body health and aids weight loss
Great for making granola
None
Bob's Red Mill Organic
Though, ease and speed of preparation are not on par with the Quaker Instant Oatmeal Original. Another boast is that it reduces cholesterol in the body which in turn helps with maintaining heart health and reducing the risk of diabetes. Also, the latter makes the cereal suitable for individuals with diabetes or people looking for overall body maintenance. Wherein the latter agrees with the diet of everyone regardless of age.
Gluten-free
100% oats
Case of four with 24 oz. bags
World champion oatmeal
Great source of fibers and protein
Vegan and kosher
Price
The value for money is very good and based on that alone, we would have recommended it to everyone. In summary, we mean the product is perfect for everyone regardless of budget.
Conclusion
The Bob's Red Mill Oats has an excellent balance of quality and price. The cereal is suitable for individuals on a budget and can be used by people with diabetes too. Also, the overall body maintenance it offers makes it more than suitable enough for everyone regardless of age (even children).
Gluten-free
100% oats
Great taste and aroma
Excellent value for money
Vegan and kosher
Can be used by people with diabetes
Improves overall body health (including weight loss)
Taste might be a bit bland for some people
KIND Healthy Grains
The cereal is very rich in fibers and vitamins A and C—wherein benefits such as reduction of body cholesterol and improvement of the immune system occur with its consumption. Also, it can be eaten raw or you can prepare with hot water—either way, you get the same benefits from it.
100% whole grains
Gluten-free
5 super grains - millets, buckwheat, oats, quinoa, and amaranth
Low sodium and glycemic
0g trans fat
Rich in vitamins
Extremely rich in fiber
Price
The price could be better, but we blame this on the fact that it's extremely rich - ingredients wise. Nonetheless, it still might not be suitable for individuals on a budget. Also, its price fluctuates a bit, so beware of that.
Conclusion
The KIND clusters is an excellent choice if you're considering giving it a buy. You get many health benefits but, at the same time, the value for money could be better. Even when you consider the fact that ingredients like millets, buckwheat, oats, quinoa, and amaranth are included into the mix. Overall, the price is just ok. Though, it might not be suitable for people on a tight budget. But as always, price differs from one individual to the other.
100% whole grains
Gluten-free
Rich in fiber and vitamins
Low sodium
Improves immunity and reduces cholesterol levels in the body
Great taste and aroma
Price might be a turn off to some people
Kashi Organic
As a result of this health benefit, heart health is increased, the risk of diabetes is reduced (whole wheat not refined), and protection against cancer is given. Lastly, the cereal can be mixed with ingredients like honey, syrup, etcetera to boost efficacy which can be shared by everyone regardless of age (yes, you can share it with your children).
Non-GMO; Sodium-Free
Organic ingredients (wheat and cinnamon)
Whole grains
5g fiber and 1g fat per serving
Reduces cholesterol and reduces risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers
Price
Compared to the previous products on this list, the value for money of the Kashi cereal could certainly be better. It's underwhelming and could be a turn off for individuals on a strict budget.
Conclusion
The Kashi Cereal is made from organic whole wheat biscuits and spicy organic cinnamon which leads to a terrific taste (we tasted/tested that thoroughly). And with health benefits such as weight loss, reduced risk of heart disease, and others, the Kashi Organic Pcereal seems to be the ideal cereal to buy. At least, until you take into consideration its underwhelming price. Nonetheless, we recommend the product to you if you can ignore the price (price always differs between individuals).
Aids with weight loss
Reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes
Organic ingredients
Whole grain
Great flavour
Underwhelming value for money
Bob's Red Mill Old Fashioned
Though, both of them are very much suitable for individuals with diabetes, since they reduce sugar in the blood. Nonetheless, the cereal's presence mainly stems from the fact that it's a remarkable product like the previous two. It's made from 100% oats which makes it extremely rich in terms of fiber but very low in sugar.
7g protein per serving
100% oats
Perfect for vegetarians
High in fiber
Kiln-toasted
8 lbs (case of four-32 oz bags)
Price
The price of the Regular Rolled Oats like the previous two items on this list is exceptional. Which in turn makes it suitable for individuals on a budget.
Conclusion
The cereal is 100% oats and doesn't have any sweetener, additives, and preservatives. Its value for money is remarkable and it's suitable for everyone regardless of age and health (diabetes). So, we recommend this product to you and if you're already considering giving it a buy, we fully support your choice in cereals.
Gluten-free
Suitable for vegetarians and people with diabetes
100% oats (high in fiber)
Great flavour
Calories might be too high for some people
GF Harvest
Though, preparing it with some hot water makes it an excellent breakfast too. Now, about the taste, it's excellent but might be a bit bland for some people. On that front, we recommend you use some fruits or honey to sweeten the deal up but don't use sugar because that underwhelms the whole propose of the cereal.
Gluten-free
Non-GMO
100% whole grain oats
Extremely rich in fiber
Organic ingredients
Price
The price of could definitely be better. And as it has only one ingredient (which is oats), we find no cause for such a price. Consequently, the cereal might not be suitable for people that are on a tight budget. Nonetheless, price varies from one person to the other.
Conclusion
The GF Harvest Organic Oats is free from gluten and is 100% whole grain oats with nil additive or preservative. We personally think this is how a cereal should be—with a compatibility for fruits like strawberries, walnuts or even honey. Ultimately, you control the taste and feel of the cereal. Unfortunately, the price is something that can be argued upon since it might not be suitable for people on a tight budget. But at least, if you can ignore the price, you also get versatility since the GF Harvest Oats can be used for making cookies, bread, and dessert.
Gluten-free
Organic ingredients
Great flavour
Nut-free
Can be baked
High in fiber
Good for overall body maintenance
Underwhelming value for money when compared to some other products on the list
Kashi GOLEAN Crunch!
Other than that, we advise you to stay away from sugar as a whole. The cereal is rich in ALA Omega-3 fatty acids which will be converted into EPA and DHA for some benefits like heart health improvement and cognitive development in children. The latter especially make the cereal perfect for consumption by children but adults too will benefit from the former.
Sweet flavour
Source of fibers and omega-3 fatty acids
Non-GMO project verified
High in protein
Wheat, soy, and almond are ingredients
Price
We would have concluded the value for money as slightly underwhelming if it was purely based on oats or another grain. But its mix of numerous ingredients to provide users with a great taste is remarkable and this stays true with its price also.
Conclusion
The Kashi GOLEAN Crunch has a good blend of ingredients with a price that's plain out attractive. If you're not considering giving the cereal a buy before, then we fully recommend you try it out.
Great taste and aroma
Rich in proteins
Source of fibers and ALA omega-3 fatty acids
Ok price
Good for heart and cognitive development in children
Wheat might cause allergic reactions
Nature's Path
As already known, cereals (at least good ones) are a great source of fibers which prove useful in maintaining overall body health (specifically, the heart). Another known fact is that fiber stays longer in the body, so you choosing this cereal (likewise the others) means you'll be full for a while. Which in turn helps with weight loss in fitness enthusiasts.
Contains 6—32 ounces bags
Organic ingredients
Kamut khorasan wheat, oats, spelt, barley, millet, and quinoa
Non-GMO verified and vegetarians
Price
The value for money is good. It's not as good as the Quaker Instant Oatmeal Original but it's better than some others and should thusly fit individuals with budgets that are not too tight.
Conclusion
The product combines a good value and excellent mix of ingredients to give excellent experience to consumers. The experience entails a great taste, a sweet aroma, and useful health benefits. This is thereby perfect for people not on a budget that also want a cereal with great value.
Good value for money
High in fiber
Organic ingredients
Suitable for vegetarians
Great taste
Healthy
A bit hard for some of us
Kellogg's Raisin Bran
Now, due to the raisins, you definitely don't need any sweetener, and even adding berries and honey might make it too sweet so make sure you mildly apply such ingredients. The cereal is also loaded high with fibers as a result of the whole grain. And as already known, fibers are just plain out beneficial to the body.
3 packs inside, each is 18.7 ounces
Whole wheat bran and juicy raisins
13 essential vitamins and minerals
High in fiber
Price
The value for money is excellent. And this despite the fact that the quality and combination of ingredients are top-notch. Summarily, this cereal is perfect for individuals on a budget.
Conclusion
The Kellogg's Raisin Bran is an excellent choice in cereal if you're already considering it. It has good ingredients and a great price which to us, is an added bonus. We recommend you give it a try if you're not already considering it.
Good value for money
High in fiber
Ingredients give a good flavour
Healthy
Many find the taste too bland
Lucky Charms
This cereal is gluten free, it contains plenty of vitamins and minerals and is a pretty good source of calcium. If you have a kid that is not crazy about cereals, you may want to try this option for sure!
20.5 oz
12 minerals and vitamins
includes marshmallows
Price
The price is one of the lowest on this list!
Conclusion
This option is mostly for those children and people who like a splash of color in their breakfast plate. The cereals are packed with vitamins and minerals as well as fun-shaped marshmallows!
Gluten free
Tasty
Marshmallows inside
Contains preservatives
Benefits of Eating Cereals
No matter the kind of substance, anything that’s consumed into the human body will have results even if they are negative in nature. This is especially true in the case of substances or food that are orally ingested. There are always results and cereals are no exception to that rule. Luckily, those results are benefits and all of the product on this list are prime sources themselves.
On that front, here are the benefits that you’ll get if you invest in any of the products above. Or, if you’re not considering it already, you’ll consider investing (in the cereals) after you peruse the following incentives.
Mineral Content
Cereals are a great source of minerals like potassium, sulfates, and phosphates of magnesium, and calcium. Let’s take calcium as an example. It’s the most important mineral that your body can have since it gives benefits like building and maintaining strong bones and teeth. It also improves heart health which for the prevention of heart disease is extremely important.
Calcium lowers blood pressure in the case of hypertensive patients and it promotes normal kidney function. Its uses are many and each of them is extremely important if you want to maintain a healthy body. Now, all of these benefits would not be feasible if cereals contained only a small amount of minerals like calcium. Alas, it’s literally loaded to the brim with calcium and other such minerals.
Energy Giving
If you need energy, cereals are a great source of energy for the body. And coupled with the fact that they’re cheap, everyone should use it to their advantage. This means regardless of age, condition, and even if you’re a fitness enthusiast, you should invest in cereals. It’s certainly better than eating foods rich in fat which you won’t fully convert into energy. Also, they always have a great taste that rivals even the sweetest of sugars so you’re covered if you want something sweet. Though taste varies among people and if you want something sweeter, you can use honey or fruits like berries and nuts in the stead of sugars.
Constipation
If you’re constantly feeling constipated, you can eat cereals to ease your bowel movements. Though, this is only possible by eating the bran and pericarp of grains which are only present in whole grains. Luckily, for the sake of constipation, we compiled this list to feature whole grains that will make easy the aforementioned distress.
Source of Protein
Protein is the builder so to speak. It builds the bones, skin, cartilages, muscles, and blood. All of these have a cumulative in overall body growth that will be appreciated by different individuals (especially fitness enthusiasts). So, as cereals are extremely rich in proteins, just picking any of the product above is picking all of the benefits mentioned above (including ones not due to protein).
Reduces Sugar Level
Cereals are high in fiber and as already hinted above, they help slow down the secretion of glucose from foods which in turn helps in maintaining blood sugar levels. This prevents heart diseases and diabetes while also maintaining overall body health.
Prevention of Cancer
Cereals can be used in reducing the risk of cancer. Especially if you’re consuming whole grains like the ones featured by the products above. The prevention of cancer (breast) is only possible since cereals are rich in phytosterols. They (phytosterols) are compounds that block human estrogen which promotes the growth of cancer cells and in turn, breast cancer development. In fact, phytosterols are more like walls that prevent the formation of cancer cells by pausing them in time. Summarily, you can use any of the product above to your advantage in regards to this particular benefit.
Rich In Vitamins
Cereals (at least whole grains) are extremely rich in vitamins. Especially vitamin B which is helpful in generating red cells, fighting free radicals in the body, boosting HDL cholesterol in the system, and preventing memory loss (amongst others). So, if you’re looking for an excellent option to increase your vitamins intake, the products above will serve you well in that regard.
How To Store Cereals
Always make sure that any product that you buy (regardless if the cereal is on this list or not) is stored in a cool, dry place. Also, do not expose it to elements such as water, air, light, heat, etcetera. By doing this, you’re maintaining its lifespan and quality.
Product Criteria for Evaluation
The products above were put under various tests before they were added to the list. So, if you’re curious about our selection process, the following information should sate your curiosity.
Price and Value
Price doesn’t always mean value. In the long run, it falls on you as a consumer to check if the value of any product/item you want to buy is worthy of its price or even better in some cases. But, as usual, the amount of product that you’ll have to go through for a competent item is just too much. And as the number increases, the quality of your search decreases.
Luckily, we are tailored to searching the web in your stead. So, no matter the amount of products that we have to go through, we always make sure you get good bang for buck in various types of the product. Summarily, we make sure you get the best of both worlds price and value.
The Ingredients
Using low-quality ingredients will only lead to cheap products that’ll pose a risk to the health of consumers. And as cereals are orally ingested, the risks involved is increased. On the other hand, when manufacturers use high-quality ingredients, there are only benefits to be had. Fortunately, all of the ingredients used in the production of every single item on this list are of the highest quality possible.
In fact, as evidenced above, some of them use a single ingredient (an example is Quaker Instant Oatmeal). The others that use different ingredients make sure that they’re combined in a way that exceptional consumer experience is guaranteed.
Credible Manufacturers
Quaker and Kellogg are two credible manufacturers that most consumers know about. If we chose an item from a manufacturer who is cheap in terms of experience, machinery, and funds, there’s really no wonder why complaints will be made about the product. And the worst thing about them is that they have nothing to lose. They just started their career and if anything happens, they can simply rebrand. On the other hand, Kellogg for an example can’t just start making cheap items because they’ll suffer for it.
So, they’ll rather make the best items possible, which in other terms means that consumers such as you (us too) will have an exceptional experience with any product that they make. The point is that we only pick products from manufacturers who are experienced and properly funded to create remarkable items. Also, prime examples of what we mean by this are all of the products on this list.
Testing the Products
Side effects, benefits, quality and many others are the reasons why we thoroughly test any product that we plan to review. After the tests, we get a proper measure of how effective the products are—and from there, we choose whether to include the product or exclude it. So, if perchance the product has many benefits, we’ll take you through them. If it has side effects, we’ll tell why they are there or in some cases, we exclude the unreasonable side effects. Luckily, in the case of cereals (especially ones like above), there are almost no side effects or even usage recommendation.
You can take it any time of the day in any way or form with literally zero side effects. But if there are side effects, it’s mainly if the person is consuming the wrong cereal. The individual might have diabetes and the consumption of any product rich in sugar always has dire results. In that regard, anyone with diabetes can use items like Bob’s oatmeal or the Quaker Instant Oatmeal.
FAQs
Q. Where can I buy the cereals?
A. We provided a link to Amazon exactly because of that reason. They have the best prices and quality which you as a user can invest in. But you can also visit your local grocery store to see if they’re available there.
Q. What is the best cereal I can buy?
A. There is no single best cereal. It’s more like the products above are the best that you can buy. Moreover, you personally have to read through the products above and choose the one that best suits your needs. Some of the products above are for breakfasts, so if you have children, we recommend you try them. Others are fit for consumption any time of the day—which will be appreciated by people who just need a quick refill.
Q. What cereals are low in sugar?
A. All of the cereals on this list are low in sugar. Though, sweetness is another thing entirely since it depends on your personal preference. But there’s luckily no product on this list that’s too sweet for consumption. In fact, you’ll have to sometimes add nuts, honey, and others like them to get the exact taste that you want.
Q. Will cereals lower cholesterol?
A. Yes, of course. Cereals are high in fiber which is a known carbohydrate that helps reduce cholesterol level in the body. Wherein benefits such as lowered risk of heart disease and diabetes are what you’ll get. On that front, you should check the products above and choose the one that you like the most.
Q. Where does cereals come from?
A. Cereals are grains. As simple as that. They’re from different sources such as wheat, millet, rice, oats, rye, whole-grain barley, freekeh, and numerous others. Though, you have to know there’s a difference between whole and refined grains. Whole grains have much more benefits than refined grains and that’s mostly why the products above feature whole grain as a standard.
