Dr. Robert Cook - Is It Bad For You? Approved by Dr. Robert Cook

Are Honey Nut Cheerios Bad For You?

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Short answer

While Honey Nut Cheerios contain some important nutrients, the sugar content and possible GMOs used to produce the cereal outweigh many of the benefits. We recommend avoiding Honey Nut Cheerios, as there are much better alternatives.

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Recommended Alternative

Barbara's Organic Corn Flakes

Organic cereal, gluten-free, vegan friendly, non-gmo project verified, convenient 10-pack

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Long answer

Honey Nut Cheerios seem pretty healthy when you’re reading the box, but there are certainly better foods, even cereals that you could choose. Not to mention there’s a handful of ingredients you should watch out for in this cereal that include sugar, canola oil, vitamin E and the possible GMOs.

You should be aware that Cheerios do not guarantee that their ingredients do not contain GMOs. Modified corn starch, honey, brown sugar syrup, canola oil, natural almond flavor and vitamin E are commonly produced from genetically modified plants. The problem with GMOs is that they can leave substances behind in your body and can disrupt your DNA leaving toxins behind that can be passed from mom to fetus. Since the toxins from GMOs stay in your body, there has been a great increase in chronic illnesses in those who regularly consume these products. These illnesses can include autism, fertility issues, reproductive system diseases, and various digestive disorders. Many people also exhibit allergies to GMOs.

Cheerios contain vitamin E as an additive that works as a preservative. When vitamin E is manufactured for use as an additive, soy, corn and cottonseed are the most common plant sources used. Cheerios does not state what food source is used for this product, but soy, corn, and cottonseed are mostly GMO crops in the US.

Aside from the possible GMOs in canola oil, the process in which canola oil is made can also cause health issues. Canola oil, like many other oils, is created by hexane extraction. Hexane has a very low toxicity level, and while only trace amounts typically remain in these oils, the average American diet is high in processed foods that contain these oils! And you can be sure they build up in your system.

While there is some honey in this cereal, most of that sweetness is actually just sugar, regular and brown sugar syrup. In total, there are 9.7 grams of sugar in a 1 cup serving of these Cheerios (who ever has just 1 cup?). That’s equal to a little over 2 teaspoons, and a lot of sugar for just 1 cup of food. Sugar aside, the carbohydrates of this cereal make up 18% of your daily value in that 1 cup, which your body breaks down into…sugar. If you suffer from gut dysbiosis or other gut bacteria imbalance issues, you should avoid sugary foods like this.

It’s not all bad, though, you will get a good dose of vitamins A, C, B, and D along with calcium, zinc, and iron since this is a fortified food.