Breakfast cereals
Magic Spoon Protein Cereal Cocoa
198 g
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
- Contains added sugars
- Contains seed oils
Why it scores 44
Magic Spoon Protein Cereal Cocoa scores 44 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Agave syrup: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 4.5 points 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: bulking agent, flavoring, industrial protein and non-nutritive sweetener. Emerging
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better breakfast cereals
-
Old Country Style Muesli Whole Grain Hot or Cold Cereal Bob's Red Mill · 1.13 kg Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 84 out of 100 , 40 points higher -
Bite-Sized Wheat Squares 365 Whole Foods Market · 14 oz Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 96 out of 100 , 52 points higher -
Farmers Market Mix Seven Sundays · 12 oz Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 56 points higher -
Shredded Wheat Original Post · 16.4 oz (465 g) Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 56 points higher -
Fortified Creamy Hot Wheat Cereal Malt O Meal · 18 oz (1 lb 2 oz) 510 g Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 56 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Magic Spoon Protein Cereal Cocoa
Ingredients
- Agave syrup minus 20 points
- Milk protein concentrate / isolate minus 2.5 points
- Caseinate minus 2.5 points
- Whey protein concentrate / isolate minus 1.5 points
- Allulose minus 1.5 points
- Monk fruit extract minus 1.5 points
- Vegetable oil (unspecified) minus 0.5 points
- Sunflower oil minus 0.5 points
- Inulin (chicory root fiber) minus 0.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 0.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 4.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 2.6 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Salt 1.1 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Energy 378 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
- Fiber 15.8 g / 100 g plus 4 points
- Protein 34.2 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 56 = 44
Can’t score above 79. Contains agave syrup, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Can’t score above 79. High in fat (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [13]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 378 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 18.4 g |
| Saturated fat | 2.6 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 39.5 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 15.8 g |
| Protein | 34.2 g |
| Salt | 1.1 g |
Serving: 1 serving (38 g)
Ingredients
- Milk Protein Blend (Caseins, Whey Protein Concentrate§)
- Sweetener Blend (Allulose, Monk Fruit Extract³) (not recognized)
- Oil Blend (High Oleic Sunflower Oil, Avocado Oil)
- Tapioca Starch
- Cocoa Powders
- Inulins (from Chicory Root, Agave)
- Natural Flavors
- Salt
Label text, as published
Milk Protein Blend (Caseins, Whey Protein Concentrate§), Sweetener Blend (Allulose, Monk Fruit Extract³), Oil Blend (High Oleic Sunflower Oil, Avocado Oil), Tapioca Starch, Cocoa Powders, Inulins (from Chicory Root and/or Agave), Natural Flavors, Salt. §
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk
- Not vegan
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Sources
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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
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Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
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WHO advises not to use non-sugar sweeteners for weight control in newly released guideline
“The recommendation is based on the findings of a systematic review of the available evidence which suggests that use of NSS does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children.”
who.int
-
“replacement of saturated fat in the diet with linoleic acid effectively lowers serum cholesterol but does not support the hypothesis that this translates to a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease or all causes.”
doi.org
-
“These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”
doi.org
-
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