Extruded cereals
Quaker Life
13 oz (370 g)
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains added sugars
- No synthetic dyes
- Contains whole grains
Why it scores 50
Quaker Life scores 50 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 11 points Sugars 19.1 g / 100 g: Very high in sugar. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better breakfast cereals
-
Farmers Market Mix Seven Sundays · 12 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 100 out of 100 , 50 points higher -
Quinoa Flakes Ancient Harvest · 12 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 100 out of 100 , 50 points higher -
Bite-Sized Wheat Squares 365 Whole Foods Market · 14 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 96 out of 100 , 46 points higher -
Shredded Wheat Original Post · 16.4 oz (465 g) Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 100 out of 100 , 50 points higher -
Fortified Creamy Hot Wheat Cereal Malt O Meal · 18 oz (1 lb 2 oz) 510 g Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 100 out of 100 , 50 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Life
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Sugars 19.1 g / 100 g minus 11 points
- Salt 1 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Energy 381 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
- Fiber 7.1 g / 100 g plus 4 points
100 − 50 = 50
Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 381 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 4.8 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 78.6 g |
| Sugars | 19.1 g |
| Added sugars | 19 g |
| Fiber | 7.1 g |
| Protein | 9.5 g |
| Salt | 1 g |
Serving: 1.0 cup (42.0 g)
Ingredients
- WHOLE GRAIN OAT FLOUR
- CORN FLOUR
- SUGAR (high concern)
- WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR
- CALCIUM CARBONATE
- SALT
- BAKING SODA
- TOCOPHEROLS (TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS)
- REDUCED IRON
- NIACINAMIDE
- ANNATTO (COLOR)
- THIAMINE THIAMINE MONONITRATE
- PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE
- RIBOFLAVIN
- FOLIC ACID
Label text, as published
WHOLE GRAIN OAT FLOUR, CORN FLOUR, SUGAR, WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR, CALCIUM CARBONATE, SALT, BAKING SODA, TOCOPHEROLS (TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS), REDUCED IRON, NIACINAMIDE*, ANNATTO (COLOR), THIAMINE THIAMINE MONONITRATE*, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE*, RIBOFLAVIN*, FOLIC ACID*.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Wheat, Gluten
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Not gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More extruded cereals on GoodSwap
-
Cheerios General Mills · 8.9 oz Contains added sugarsContains whole grains Score 65 out of 100 Good -
Honey Nut Cheerios General Mills · 10.8 oz Ultra-processedHigh in sugarContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 17 out of 100 Bad -
Shredded Wheat Post · 18 oz Contains whole grains Score 100 out of 100 Excellent -
Cinnamon Toast Cereal Magic Spoon · 7 oz Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains seed oils Score 56 out of 100 Okay -
Life Multigrain Cereal Quaker · 18 oz Ultra-processedContains added sugarsNo synthetic dyesContains whole grains Score 50 out of 100 Okay -
Heritage Flakes Cereal Nature's Path · 907 g Contains added sugarsCertified organicNo additivesContains whole grains Score 41 out of 100 Okay
More from Quaker
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
-
“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
-
“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