Healthiest Cereals
Low-sugar, high-fiber, whole grain cereals
✨ Editor's Picks
Our top recommendations for this category
Full Circle Market Cereal Organic Bran Flakes
The Silver Palate Grain Cereal Toasted Oats Berry Antioxidant
Grain Berry Shredded Wheat With Onyx Sorghum Cereal 14 oz
General Mills Fiber One Bran Cereal Original
Post Shredded Wheat and Bran Cereal
Honey Graham Cereal, 9 OZ
Weetabix Whole Grain Cereal
365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Bran Flakes Cereal, 15 Ounce
Organic Golden Flax Cereal, 16 OZ
365 by Whole Foods Market, Bite Sized Wheat Squares Cereal, 14 Ounce
General Mills Cheerios Cereal
General Mills Cheerios, Giant Size
Catalina Crunch Cereal, Maple Waffle - KETO Friendly
Cinnamon Toast Cereal, 9 OZ
Food For Life Baking Co. Cereal, Organic, Ezekiel 4-9, Sprouted Whole Grain, Golden Flax
Dark Chocolate Cereal, 9 OZ
Quaker Hot Cereal Oat Bran
Organic High Fiber Oat Bran, 18 OZ
General Mills Cheerios Cereal
Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Oatmeal Cup, Classic with Flax/Chia
Post Shredded Wheat Spoon Size Cereal
Organic Almond Cereal, 16 OZ
Bob's Red Mill Organic Oatmeal Cup Classic With Flax & Chia
Whole Grain Old Fashioned Rolled Oats, 52 OZ
Family Size Cheerios, 18 OZ
Cascadian Farm Organic Cereal, Purely Os
Fiber1 Baked Bars Cinnamon Coffee Cake
365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats, 42 Ounce
Bob's Red Mill Protein Oats
Chocolate Peanut Butter Keto Cereal, 9 OZ
Catalina Crunch Cereal, Blueberry Muffin - KETO Friendly
Bob's Red Mill Quick Cook Oats Gluten Free Organic
Fiber One 90 Calorie Bars, Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Post Shredded Wheat Cereal
Bob's Red Mill Old Fashioned Oats Gluten Free Organic
365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Quick Cook Steel Cut Oats, 24 Ounce
Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Quick Cooking Rolled Oats
Organic Classic Oatmeal, 1.8 OZ
Fiber One 90 Calorie Chewy Bars, Chocolate
Organic Italian Farro, 8.8 OZ
Organic Old Fashioned Rolled Oats, 16 OZ
365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Old Fashioned Rolled Oats, 18 Ounce
Organic Old Fashioned Rolled Oats, 32 OZ
Bob's Red Mill Oat Bran
Catalina Crunch Cereal, Dark Chocolate - KETO Friendly
What is NOVA?
NOVA isn't just about "good vs bad" but about understanding how food is made. Foods are grouped into 4 categories, from unprocessed or minimally processed (Group 1) to ultra-processed foods (Group 4).
Unprocessed or minimally processedRaw grains, nuts, seeds, fresh produce
Processed culinary ingredientsOils, butter, salt, sugar
Processed foodsSimple foods made by combining NOVA 1 + 2 with methods like baking, canning
Ultra-processedIndustrial formulations with additives
What You Should Know About Healthiest Cereals
This hub is for the cereals that actually pull their weight: low sugar, high fiber, and made with real whole grains. Think plain shredded wheat, bran flakes, and some of the newer high-fiber, higher-protein options that don’t taste like potting soil. They’re not magic, but they’re practical, quick, and easy to make more interesting with fruit, nuts, or yogurt. Real talk on price: classic staples like store‑brand shredded wheat or bran flakes often run $2–4 a box, mainstream branded boxes are usually $4–6, and specialty low‑sugar/high‑protein cereals (like Catalina Crunch) can jump to $7–10 for a smaller bag. You don’t have to go premium to eat well—mix a budget-friendly base with a handful of a pricier cereal if you like the crunch or flavor. Also, not all “healthy” boxes are angelic: some rely on added fibers (which can bloat sensitive folks), alternative sweeteners, or marketing gloss. Fortified cereals can help with iron and B vitamins; organic can reduce pesticide exposure but costs more. The goal here is balance: plenty of fiber, minimal added sugar, and a cereal you’ll actually enjoy at 7 a.m.
Key Benefits
- Keeps you full longer, so you’re not raiding the snack drawer.
- Supports regular digestion with naturally occurring or added functional fibers.
- Delivers whole-grain nutrients and fortification without a sugar crash mid-morning.
- Easy to portion, customize, and top with fruit, nuts, or yogurt.
- Budget-friendly staples exist; mix premium picks with store brands to save.
Buying Guide: How to Choose Healthiest Cereals
Start with the label. Aim for at least 5 grams of fiber and no more than 6 grams of added sugar per serving; bonus points if whole grain is the first ingredient and sodium stays under ~140 mg. Protein isn’t everything, but 5–10 grams can help with staying power (or add milk/Greek yogurt to boost it). If you’re sensitive to chicory root/inulin or sugar alcohols, scan the ingredient list—many “keto” or high‑fiber cereals rely on them. Solid picks: Post Shredded Wheat & Bran and Grain Berry Shredded Wheat with Onyx Sorghum are simple, 0 g added sugar, and hearty. Full Circle Organic Bran Flakes is a good budget-organic option with moderate sweetness. Fiber One Original is the fiber heavyweight—great in small portions or mixed in. Catalina Crunch Honey Graham brings big crunch, higher protein, and no added sugar, but it’s pricey and uses alternative sweeteners. Strategy-wise, buy a plain base (shredded wheat or bran flakes) and layer on fruit or a spoon of a “fun” cereal for flavor. Where to save: check unit prices (per ounce), shop store brands, and watch for sales or Subscribe & Save online. Warehouse clubs carry bulk shredded wheat and oats; discount grocers often have overstock of premium cereals. Avoid cereal that looks like dessert (clusters, frosting, candy bits) and claims like “made with whole grain” unless whole grain actually leads the ingredient list. If you need gluten-free, look for certified GF oats or grain blends.
Quick Comparison
| Cereal | Fiber (g/serv) | Added Sugar (g/serv) | Protein (g/serv) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Circle Market Organic Bran Flakes | 5 | 5 | 3 | Budget organic; lightly sweet; great for mixing with fruit. |
| Grain Berry Toasted Oats Berry Antioxidant | 4 | 5 | 3 | Onyx sorghum; moderate sugar; oat-ring texture with berry flavor. |
| Grain Berry Shredded Wheat with Onyx Sorghum | 7 | 0 | 6 | Hearty bite; very simple ingredients; antioxidant-leaning grain blend. |
| Fiber One Bran Cereal Original | 18 | 0 | 4 | Max fiber; start with small servings to avoid tummy rumblings. |
| Post Shredded Wheat and Bran | 7 | 0 | 5 | Two-ingredient classic; no added sugar; good value in big boxes. |
| Catalina Crunch Honey Graham | 9 | 0 | 11 | Crunchy, high protein; alternative sweeteners; premium price point. |
Frequently Asked Questions
People also search for:
Related Collections
Cereals Without Seed Oils
45 productsClean breakfast cereals
Healthy Granolas
45 productsWholesome granola options
High Fiber Cereals
45 productsFiber-packed breakfast
Low Sugar Cereals
45 productsStart your day without sugar rush
Low Sugar Kids Cereals
45 productsHealthier cereals for children
Better Pancakes & Waffles
45 productsHealthier breakfast options
Best Crackers
45 productsTop-rated cracker options
Clean Ingredient Chocolate
45 productsSimple chocolate treats
Clean Ingredient Soups
45 productsSimple wholesome soups
Coffee Drinks Ranked
45 productsBest coffee beverages
Electrolyte Drinks
45 productsReplenish electrolytes
Energy Bars
45 productsFuel your active lifestyle