Why Honey Nut Cheerios Should Be Eaten In Moderation
Eating Cheerios to lose weight isnt the worst idea, but its far from the best. They lack many essential nutrients, like protein.
Low in protein A Cheerios diet is deficient in protein, which is detrimental, primarily if you work out in the morning. An adult eating a 2,000-calorie diet needs 0.36 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight, which a diet of Cheerios cant satisfy.
Protein is essential for muscle recovery, so be sure to eat a high-protein snack, like a couple of eggs or Greek yogurt, along with your Cheerios after a workout.
High in carbs While low in protein, theyre also comparatively high in carbs, which can cause sudden insulin spikes and hunger pangs. Lowering carbs may reduce your appetite all by itself, facilitating weight loss .
Low in soluble fiber Honey Nut Cheerios dont have much soluble fiber, which is more heart healthy than insoluble fiber. People who eat more soluble fiber are less likely to have high cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, and triglycerides, reducing their chances of diabetes, stroke, and heart disease . So, you still need to eat fruits and vegetables to preserve your heart health.
The calories can also add up quickly, especially if you eat Cheerios in a large bowl. So, are Honey Nut Cheerios good for weight loss? Not by themselves, but you can safely incorporate Honey Nut Cheerios into a healthy, balanced diet.
Still looking for something healthier to start off your day? Go for plain Cheerios instead.
Benefits Of Honey Nut Cheerios
Honey Nut Cheerios has many health benefits, primarily related to its fiber content. Eating Honey Nut Cheerios can contribute to lowered cholesterol, improved digestion, and fullness.
According to the Mayo Clinic, men and women under 50 should consume 38 and 25g of fiber daily, respectively, while men and women over 50 should consume 30 and 21g daily, respectively.
Studies have shown that fiber, specifically soluble fiber found in oats, can lower cholesterol levels. This action results from a decrease in the bad cholesterol called low-density lipoprotein, or LDL .
Lowered cholesterol levels can improve overall heart health and decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Therefore, the claim on the packaging that Honey Nut Cheerios can help lower cholesterol is true!
Fiber is crucial for a healthy digestive system by supporting regular bowel movements and improving constipation.
Finally, the fiber content in Honey Nut Cheerios makes you feel fuller for longer, leading to greater satisfaction with the meal. When you feel more satisfied and full, you typically eat less, contributing to healthy weight loss.
Are Honey Nut Cheerios Good For You
Honey Nut Cheerios look like a healthy choice. The packaging includes claims like can help lower cholesterol, gluten free, and naturally flavored. Plus, the cereal is made using whole oats and real honey. Sounds fantastic, right?
Yet, food isnt always what it seems to be, especially when its been heavily processed. Products like Gatorade, Vitaminwater, and Ensure all highlight this pattern, as they tend to be full of sugar and additives.
Cereal is particularly notorious. Many of the products that line our shelves look much healthier than they actually are. Some are even little more than candy. That brings us back to Cheerios. Are Honey Nut Cheerios good for you? Do they offer all the benefits that the package suggests, or do they fall short?
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Are Honey Nut Cheerios Healthy
Are honey nut cheerios healthy as a breakfast choice? Thats a question that has been asked time and again. And, the answer isit depends. Sure, cheerios are fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, but they also contain added sugar and high fructose corn syrup.
So, while they may not be the worst breakfast option out there, theyre definitely not the healthiest. Lets dive into the details.
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How To Store Energy Bites
If youre not going to eat all the energy bites right away, youll need to store them in the fridge. This keeps them fresh and helps them firm up.
To store in the fridge, place the energy bites in an airtight container or seal-able bag. Keep them in the fridge for up to a week. One more tip: put some in snack-size baggies so you can grab them on your way out the door.
Whole grain cereal is a great solution when summer gets hot and time is short. Kids are sure to love these Honey Nut Cheerios inspired energy bites!
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Problems With Honey Nut Cheerios
The Sugar Content
Plain Cheerios have a fairly good balance of sugar to fiber. The same cant be said for Honey Nut Cheerios.
A single serving of the Cheerios contains a whopping 12 grams of added sugar. 12 grams! Thats excessive, especially as youre only getting 3 grams of fiber in that same serving.
Its also too easy to have more than one serving at a time. After all, a serving of Cheerios is just a cup and isnt very filling.
Sugar is a serious problem these days. Its regularly used to make food taste better, sometimes when it isnt needed at all.
Lets not forget that sugar doesnt provide any health benefits anyway. It tastes good and gives you a burst of energy. Thats it.
The energy boost isnt as good as it sounds either, as you often end up with a sugar rush, followed by a crash not long after. This pattern is the last thing you want after breakfast.
Sugar has also been associated with many health issues. It can increase inflammation, raise the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes, while putting you at risk for other diseases as well.
Even if you do want a little sweetness, 12 grams of sugar is excessive. It would be better to buy regular Cheerios and sweeten them yourself.
High In Carbs, Low In Protein
The ideal breakfast sets up for the day, giving you sustained energy and helping you to stay satisfied.
Honey Nut Cheerios arent likely to have this effect on their own. After all, youre getting 30 grams of carbs per serving and just 3 grams of protein.
What About Other Types Of Cheerios
Most of the patterns weve talked about here apply to other types of Cheerios as well. Flavored versions are particularly concerning, as theyre often packed with sugar and contain far too many additives.
Plain Cheerios are much better. These keep the sugar content low, giving you a much better balance of sugar to fiber.
Even then, youre not getting much protein, so Cheerios on their own arent ideal for breakfast. Its best to serve them with ingredients that provide the missing macronutrients. For example, nuts would help with the protein content, while berries would increase the amount of fiber.
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Has A Moderate Calorie Count Per Serving And Provides A Healthy Mix Of Fats:
Cheerios are low in calories and fat, which is a plus. A single serving of Honey Nut Cheerios contains the exact recommended amount of fat, 15 gm.
Fiber is good for your gut health, keeping your bowel movements active and regular. It also keeps your cholesterol in check, which can also help your heart. They also include several vital minerals, like fiber and vitamin D, that many individuals do not get sufficient amounts of.
And the calcium content in this Cheerio flavor also meets most of your daily value of calcium .
Excellent Source Of Whole Grain:
We already know that all the Cheerios are made of whole grain oats. Given that whole grains contain all of the grains components, they tend to include more nutrients than processed grains.
Oats, the primary and distinctive ingredient in General Mills Cheerios cereal, are a nutritionally well-balanced source of fiber and iron. In terms of carbs, raw oats have around 66 percent carbohydrates, 15 percent fiber, 7 percent fat, and just 1.5 percent sugar. Furthermore, consuming whole grains high in fiber may help lower cholesterol levels and minimize your chance of developing heart disease.
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What Is In The Honey Nut Cheerios
Among the six ingredients found in Honey Nut Cheerios top three elements are different forms of sweeteners. Mostly white sugar, brown sugar, and honey. Honey Nut Cheerios contains almost nine times the sugar found in ordinary Cheerios per serving.
The sugar concentration is much higher than most other sugar-laden bowls of cereal for kids. Its almost like youre eating a big bowl of sugar!
What is the specialty of Honey Nut Cheerios? Honey with a hint of nutty flavor makes this cereal suitable for breakfast and dessert. You can enjoy this cereal with or without the milk.
The crunchiness of this cereal is terrific. However, remember that the cereal gets soggy quite fast after pouring in the milk.
Honey Nut Cheerios is extremely sweet, but that is what makes it so delicious. On the other hand, adding the milk is even better since it enhances the cereals sweetness and tastepresumably, an excellent way to begin the day.
How Honey Nut Cheerios Will Hamper Your Health
Excessive sugar consumption can have negative repercussions for your health. Gaining weight is one of them. Secondly, if you continue to consume sugar at this rate, it can lead to type 2 diabetes.
It is suggested that you consume no more than the recommended amount of added sugar each day. This is usually six tablespoons or 25 grams.
One serving of Honey Nut Cheerios has already surpassed one-third of your daily sugar allowance, putting you above the limit. Additionally, Honey Nut Cheerios has the potential to lead to childhood obesity. In addition, it will cause the childs health to deteriorate further.
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Honey Nut Cheerios Vs Cheerios
While Honey Nut Cheerios is the fan favorite, you may wonder if the original Cheerios is healthier than the sweetened honey nut variety. According to the General Mills Cheerios website, original unflavored Cheerios has the same general health claims, including lowering cholesterol.
Interestingly, the serving size for original Cheerios is 1.5 cups, compared to one cup of Honey Nut Cheerios. While the serving size is greater, original Cheerios only has 2g of added sugar, while Honey Nut Cheerios has 12g.
The American Heart Association recommends no more than 25g of added sugar daily for women and 36g for men.
Consuming excess added sugar in your diet can lead to weight gain and obesity, contributing to the development of chronic health conditions, such as heart disease.
Are Honey Nut Cheerios Good For Weight Loss Too Sugary Or Heart Healthy
Weight Loss & Diets | Written by Nathan | Updated on 24 January 2022
Honey Nut Cheerios are allegedly heart healthy per their commercials, but does the cardiovascular benefits outweigh the sugar or honey coated all over it?
The truth is, Honey Nut Cheerios is both sugary and somewhat heart healthy, but lets dive in deeper to see if it should be used in a weight loss regimen.
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Healthier Alternatives To Honey Nut Cheerios
While plain Cheerios are an okay alternative to Honey Nut, you might replace them with a healthier breakfast as you get more serious about fitness and weight loss. Some options include:
1. Plain oats Unprocessed oats are the best alternative to any cereal. They have double the fiber and are comparatively high in protein at 13g of protein per cup, making for a balanced breakfast. You can also add fruits like bananas and berries on top for a touch of sweetness and many additional nutrients.
Whole oats also contain many antioxidants called avenanthramides which help lower blood pressure and dilate blood vessels, improving blood flow .
Next time you go out, look for a brand of oatmeal with whole oats like Quaker Oats. Your heart will thank you for it!
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2. Cinnamon and locally sourced honey You dont have to eat a bland bowl of oats add about a tablespoon of locally sourced honey to not only sweeten the deal but reduce the amount of sugar you eat. A touch of cinnamon should give your oats a tasty kick, creating a delicious meal!
3. Healthier cereals If you cant live without your bowl of cereal in the morning, consider some healthier brands like Special K or Kashi 7 Whole Grain Nuggets. The Kashi cereal is very low-sugar and full of nutrients and 7g of protein, made of 7 different types of fiber-rich whole grains.
Other User Submitted Calorie Info Matching: Honey Nut Cheerios Cereal
Honey Nut Cheerios Cereal Bar1604g26g6g
- Vitamin A 15.0 %
Honey Nut Cheerios Cereal1202g23g3g
- Vitamin A 10.0 %
Honey Nut Cheerios Cereal Bar1604g29g3g
- Vitamin A 15.0 %
Honey Nut Cheerios Cereal Bar1604g26g6g
- Vitamin A 0.0 %
Honey Nut Cheerios Cereal – 3/4 Cup1102g22g3g
- Vitamin A 10.0 %
Honey Nut Cheerios 1202g23g3g
- Vitamin A 10.0 %
Honey Nut Cheerios Cereal W/o Milk1102g22g3g
- Vitamin A 10.0 %
Honey Nut Cheerios Cereal1472g29g4g
- Vitamin A 13.3 %
Honey Nut Cheerios Cereal Bar893g14g2g
- Vitamin A 0.0 %
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What Ingredients Does Honey Nuts Cheerios Contain
The main ingredient of Honey Nut Cheerios is whole-grain oats, similar to oatmeal. The 20202025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that at least half of the grains consumed are whole grains.
As mentioned previously, fiber has many benefits, including improving cardiovascular health.
The second most prevalent ingredient is sugar. The sugar content is considered added sugar and should be limited in the diet. However, it does not contain corn syrup.
Also, the cheerios contain oat bran, brown sugar syrup, canola oil, honey, and more. They also contain natural almond flavor and, therefore, do not eat Honey Nut Cheerios if you have an almond allergy.
It Contains A Lot Of Added Sugars:
Honey nut cheerios cereal has 12 grams of added sugar per serving, almost half of the daily sugar requirement. The American Heart Association advises no more than 25 grams of sugar per day for women and 36 grams per day for men.
Chronic intake of a high-sugar diet can result in various health concerns. Some of the most drastic ones are weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
On a typically balanced diet, you should not consume more than 2.5 grams of added sugar for 100-125 calories.
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Can Help Lower Cholesterol As Part Of A Heart
Cheerios has soluble fiber from whole grain oats, which can help lower cholesterol *as part of a heart-healthy diet. Three grams of soluble fiber daily from whole grain oat foods in a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease. Cheerios Original provides 1.5 grams per serving and specially marked Cheerios varieties provide .75 grams per serving.
Changes Happened To Honey Nut Cheerios:
Before 2009, the serving size of Honey Nut Cheerios was one cup, weighing 30 grams and having 11 grams of sugars. These days, a serving is three-quarters of a cup, weighing just 28 grams and containing nine grams of sugar.
The majority of individuals are unlikely to measure out precisely the new serving size of cereal before consuming it. Despite the changes, the serving size of ordinary Cheerios mostly remains at one cup. So, using the same one-cup serving size as before, the sugar content of Honey Nut Cheerios is likely to be in the double digits.
According to the Food and Drug Administration , a cereals density can vary the amount of grain that should be consumed in one serving. It appears that General Mills changed the ingredients in Honey Nut Cheerios.
The company did this so that the total weight per serving was reduced, which lowered the claimed sugar level. But it was impossible to determine by how much sugar it decreased.
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A Word From A Dietitian
Honey Nut Cheerios is a healthy and well-known breakfast cereal packed with dietary fiber that can help lower blood cholesterol, just like the famous packaging claims. Dietary fiber can also help improve overall heart health and support a healthy digestive system.
With so many sugary, calorie-dense breakfast cereals on the market, Honey Nut Cheerios cereal is a whole-grain fiber-rich option that provides many essential vitamins and minerals, including iron, folate, and zinc.
However, due to the added sugar, consume in moderation and perhaps alternate with original Cheerios that only have 2g of sugar content.
Are Cheerios Healthy Nutrients Flavors And More
Since they were introduced in 1941, Cheerios have been a staple in households across the United States.
They remain one of the most popular breakfast cereals on the market and are now available worldwide.
Although theyre marketed as nutritious, you may wonder whether Cheerios are a healthy choice and how the different varieties compare.
This article explores Cheerios nutrients, flavors, and downsides to help you determine whether theyre a good fit for your routine.
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How To Make Fruit & Nut Honey Energy Bites
Since were using dried fruit in these energy bites, we need to soften them a bit before we can use them. Press 1 cup of dried cherries into a tall, thin drinking glass. Pour hot water into the glass until it just covers them. Allow these to sit for 10 minutes to soften and plump.
Note: If desired, you can substitute raisins or craisins, but we love the sweet tangy flavor of dried cherries for this recipe!
Meanwhile, add the following items to a medium mixing bowl:
- 1/3 cup of pepitas
- 1/2 cup almond butter
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 cup Honey Nut Cheerios
Once the cherries have softened for ten minutes, drain the excess water off and add the cherries to a food processor. Add one teaspoon of vanilla. Pulse the mixture until the cherries are well blended. If you have any difficulty blending, add just a bit of water.
Add the other 1.5 cups of Honey Nut Cheerios to the food processor and pulse again, until the Cheerios are mostly blended.
Add the cherry mixture to the mixing bowl and stir everything together. Use your hands to form small balls, pressing the mixture tightly together.
If you find the mixture too dry to stick together, feel free to add another dollop of almond butter. Just make sure not to add so much that the energy bites become sticky and gooey.
TIP: To make these energy bites even more convenient on the go, insert popsicle sticks into the centers just after forming them. This prevents sticky fingers!