Breakfast cereals
Wheaties Protein Maple Almond Cereal
16 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in saturated fat
- Contains added sugars
- Seed-oil free
- Contains whole grains
Why it scores 21
Wheaties Protein Maple Almond Cereal scores 21 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Maple syrup: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 20 points Malt syrup: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better breakfast cereals
-
Oat Protein Cereal Maple Cinnamon Seven Sundays Not ultra-processed · No malt syrup Score 58 out of 100 , 37 points higher -
Catalina Crunch Cinnamon Toast Protein Cereal Catalina Crunch · 24 oz Less saturated fat · No added sugars Score 61 out of 100 , 40 points higher -
Blueberry Almond Crunch Cereal Cascadian Farm Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 79 out of 100 , 58 points higher -
Classic Bircher Apple Cinnamon Almond Muesli Cereal Seven Sundays · 12 oz (340 g) Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 97 out of 100 , 76 points higher -
Protein Cereal Catalina Crunch · 22 oz Less saturated fat · No added sugars Score 66 out of 100 , 45 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Wheaties Protein Maple Almond Cereal
Ingredients
- Maple syrup minus 20 points
- Malt syrup minus 20 points
- Wheat gluten minus 2.5 points
- Soy protein isolate / concentrate minus 1.5 points
- Inulin (chicory root fiber) minus 1.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 3 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Sugars 9.4 g / 100 g minus 5 points
- Saturated fat 6.3 g / 100 g minus 7 points
- Salt 0.9 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Energy 422 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
- Fiber 9.4 g / 100 g plus 4 points
- Protein 34.4 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 79 = 21
Can’t score above 79. Contains maple syrup, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Can’t score above 79. High in saturated fat (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [8]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 422 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 15.6 g |
| Saturated fat | 6.3 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 43.8 g |
| Sugars | 9.4 g |
| Added sugars | 7.8 g |
| Fiber | 9.4 g |
| Protein | 34.4 g |
| Salt | 0.9 g |
Serving: 1 portion (64 g)
Ingredients
- Whole Grain Wheat
- Vital Wheat Gluten
- Almonds
- Maple Syrup (high concern)
- Soy Protein Isolate
- Coconut Oil
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Wheat Bran
- Inulin
- Salt
- Malted Barley Extract (high concern)
- Natural Flavor
- Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) Added to Preserve Freshness.Vitamins and Minerals: Calcium Carbonate
- Iron and Zinc (mineral nutrients)
- Vitamin C (sodium ascorbate)
- A B Vitamin (niacinamide)
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride)
- Vitamin B1 (thiamin mononitrate)
- Vitamin A (palmitate)
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
- A B Vitamin (folic acid)
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin D3
Label text, as published
Whole Grain Wheat, Vital Wheat Gluten, Almonds, Maple Syrup, Soy Protein Isolate, Coconut Oil, Pumpkin Seeds, Wheat Bran, Inulin, Salt, Malted Barley Extract, Natural Flavor, Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) Added to Preserve Freshness.Vitamins and Minerals: Calcium Carbonate, Iron and Zinc (mineral nutrients), Vitamin C (sodium ascorbate), A B Vitamin (niacinamide), Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), Vitamin B1 (thiamin mononitrate), Vitamin A (palmitate), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), A B Vitamin (folic acid), Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Tree nuts, Soy, Wheat, Gluten
- Not gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More breakfast cereals on GoodSwap
-
Grape-Nuts Cereal Post · 20.5 oz (1 lb 4.5 oz) 581 g No additivesContains whole grains Score 93 out of 100 Excellent -
Lightly Sweetened Maple Berry Blend Cereal Morning Summit · 1 box, 2 lb 6 oz High in sugarHigh in saturated fatContains added sugarsNo additives Score 22 out of 100 Poor -
Fruit & Nut Chewy Trail Mix Granola Bars Nature Valley · 6 - 1.1 oz (32 g) Ultra-processedContains added sugarsContains seed oilsContains whole grains Score 18 out of 100 Bad -
Fruity Dyno-Bites Cereal Malt O Meal · 32 oz Dye with an EU warning labelContains synthetic dyesUltra-processedHigh in sugar Score 8 out of 100 Bad -
Raisin Bran Crunch Kellogg's · 757 g Ultra-processedHigh in sugarContains added sugarsContains palm oil Score 13 out of 100 Bad
More from Wheaties
Sources
-
Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children
“In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”
who.int
-
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
-
Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives
“whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
ecfr.gov
-
Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline
“WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”
who.int
-
“For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”
who.int
-
“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
-
“Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”
doi.org