Grain Berry is one of the popular breakfast cereals that you can find in the cereal aisle in grocery stores.
It is known for its unique blend of grains and, of course, its potential health benefits. However, if I pinpoint what it’s most renowned for, it would be its high antioxidant content.
It is made from a combination of whole grains such as wheat and oats, along with the addition of a particular type of grain called sorghum.
And while it comes in many delicious flavors, is Grain Berry cereal healthy?
Short answer: Grain Berry cereal is healthy as it is made up of whole grain and is a good source of antioxidants due to Onyx sorghum. It is also low in sugar and sodium and a good source of fiber with many other essential vitamins and minerals.
Read on to find out more about Grain Berry cereal, including its ingredients, sugar, protein, fiber content, and more.
Also read: Is Cream Of Rice Healthy? Everything You Need To Know
What is Grain Berry cereal made up of?
At the time of writing this post, Grain Berry cereal comes in 6 flavors, including – Honey nut, Apple cinnamon, Original toasted oats, Bran flakes, Shredded wheat, and Cinnamon frosted.
So, the exact ingredients can vary depending on the flavor.
In general, Grain Berry cereal is made up of a blend of whole grains such as wheat or oats as the primary ingredient. It also includes a Sorghum blend of Hi-tannin bran and whole grain ONYX.
Sounds like new ingredients? Don’t worry. I will talk about these in the upcoming section.
Besides the above, other common ingredients that you may find in most of the flavors include,
- Brown sugar or sugar
- Wheat starch or wheat bran
- Modified corn starch (for texture and consistency)
- Salt
- Tricalcium phosphate (to improve texture and shelf life)
- Tripotassium phosphate (to improve texture and shelf life)
- Tocopherols(vitamin E).
Based on the flavor, you might also find ingredients like almonds, honey, cinnamon, gelatin, etc.
The ingredients in Grain Berry cereal are easy to recognize and do not include any major red flags.
Now, let’s shift our focus to the nutrition aisle of Grain Berry cereal.
How much sugar is in Grain Berry cereal?
Grain Berry cereal contains between 0 to 12g of sugar per serving, depending on the flavor. Original toasted oats are the flavor with the least sugar(1g), while Cinnamon frosted contains the most sugar(12g).
However, how much sugar is natural or added is unknown(not labeled).
But, considering that brown sugar or sugar is listed as the second main ingredient in most flavors (before sorghum), it’s likely that a majority of sugar is added.
Compared to other popular cereals such as Krave, Golden Grahams, Morning Summit, and Vector cereal, Grain Berry generally contains less sugar.
In addition, for those looking for a sugar-free option, it offers Shredded wheat flavor.
But, if you want to cut down on sugar, avoid Cinnamon frosted flavor.
Here is a table showing the sugar content of all Grain Berry cereal flavors.
| Grain Berry flavor | Sugar(g) |
|---|---|
| Honey nut | 6 |
| Apple Cinnamon | 6 |
| Original toasted oats | 1 |
| Bran flakes | 5 |
| Shredded wheat | 0 |
| Cinnamon frosted | 12 |
How much protein is in Grain Berry cereal?
Grain Berry cereal contains 3 to 4g of protein per serving, depending on the flavor.
While this may not be a very good amount of protein, note that Grain Berry cereal is typically consumed with milk, which significantly enhances it’s protein content.
For example, a serving of Grain Berry cereal with 250ml cow milk can provide up to 10-11g of protein, which is decent.
Compared to other popular cereals, Grain Berry a similar amount of protein as Cheerios, Life cereal, Total cereal, and Cornflakes.
If you want more protein-rich cereal, Morning Summit cereal (6g per serving) and Vector cereal (5.5g per serving) are much better options.
Here is a table showing the protein content of all Grain Berry cereal flavors.
| Grain Berry flavor | Protein(g) |
|---|---|
| Honey nut | 3 |
| Apple Cinnamon | 3 |
| Original toasted oats | 3 |
| Bran flakes | 3 |
| Shredded wheat | 4 |
| Cinnamon frosted | 4 |
How much fiber is in Grain Berry cereal?
Grain Berry cereal is a good source of protein containing 3 to 5g per serving, depending on the flavor.
That’s about 20% of the daily recommended for adults.
Fiber is an essential part of any breakfast as it helps you stay full for longer intervals, helps regulate blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol.
Compared to other popular cereals, Grain Berry has more fiber than Cornflakes, Golden Grahams, and Krave cereal. In fact, some flavors of Grain Berry cereal contain more fiber than beloved Cheerios.
Here is a table showing the protein content of all Grain Berry cereal flavors.
| Grain Berry flavor | Fiber(g) |
|---|---|
| Honey nut | 3 |
| Apple Cinnamon | 3 |
| Original toasted oats | 4 |
| Bran flakes | 5 |
| Shredded wheat | 5 |
| Cinnamon frosted | 5 |
How much sodium is in Grain Berry cereal?
Grain Berry cereal is low in sodium-containing 115 to 140mg of sodium. That’s just 9% of the daily ideal sodium limit(1500mg) set by the American Heart Association.
What’s even better is that Grain Berry offers two flavors, Shredded Wheat and Cinnamon Frosted, with zero added salt.
This is good news for those following a low-sodium diet.
Additionally, Grain Berry has less sodium than most popular breakfast cereals such as cherrios, Golden Grahams, Total cereal, Great Grains cereal, etc.
Here is a table showing the sodium content of all Grain Berry cereal flavors.
| Grain Berry flavor | Sodium(mg) |
|---|---|
| Honey nut | 115 |
| Apple Cinnamon | 115 |
| Original toasted oats | 140 |
| Bran flakes | 140 |
| Shredded wheat | 0 |
| Cinnamon frosted | 0 |
Is Grain Berry cereal good for weight loss?
Grain Berry can be consumed on a weight loss diet due to its low sugar content. Additionally, it’s a good source of protein and fiber, which plays a crucial role in supporting the weight loss journey.
What’s even better is that it also comes in zero-sugar flavors, i.e., Shredded wheat. But, surprisingly, it is higher in calories(180 per serving) than most of the flavors that contain sugar.
It’s better if you avoid or limit the Cinnamon frosted flavor as it contains the most sugar(12g per serving) and calories(200 per serving).
Besides that, other flavors contain anywhere between 110 to 120 calories, which is not much.
Remember that weight loss does not depend only on one food but on your diet and lifestyle.
Is Grain Berry cereal Good for Diabetics? Grain Berry cereal is good for diabetics as it is low in sugar(except Cinnamon frosted flavor).
Also, it’s a good source of fiber that helps to regulate blood sugar levels.
Is Grain Berry cereal Good for Keto? Grain Berry cereal is not keto-friendly as it contains a significant amount of carbs.
Is Grain Berry cereal a good source of antioxidants?
Grain Berry cereal is marketed as a powerful source of antioxidants, and there’s a reason for it.
It contains Onyx Sorghum, a specific variety of sorghum grain made from high tannins and anthocyanins.
Studies suggest that tannins have been shown to have antioxidant properties, which can benefit health in many ways, such as[1]
- Protecting cells from damage
- Prevent the formation of cancer cells and mutations
- Fighting against harmful bacteria
- Help with blood clotting
- Lowering blood pressure
- Reducing cholesterol levels
On the other hand, Anthocyanins is a type of pigment found in certain fruits and vegetables.
These are also known for their antioxidant properties and have been associated with various health benefits such as[2]
- Reducing the risk of heart disease
- Preventing neurological disease
- Slowing cancer growth
- Preventing diabetes
- Improving visual ability
The presence of Onyx sorghum in Grain Berry cereal makes it unique and more beneficial than other cereals.
But that’s not all.
In addition to antioxidants, Grain Berry is a good source of many other essential nutrients such as vitamins A, C, D, E, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, B12, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, copper, and zinc.
Is Grain Berry cereal gluten-free?
Grain Berry cereal is not gluten-free as it contains wheat as one of the ingredients.
Is Grain Berry cereal vegan?
All the flavors of Grain Berry cereal except the Honey nut flavor are vegan.
Honey nut flavor contains honey which is not considered vegan-friendly. Also, the package indicates that the Honey Nut flavor may contain traces of milk and soy.
It’s important to note that Grain Berry cereal contains sugar. If you follow a strict vegan lifestyle, it’s worth being mindful of this ingredient.
Final words
Grain Berry cereal is healthy for you as it is made up of whole grain and is packed with Onyx sorghum, a powerful source of antioxidants.
In addition, it is low in sugar and sodium and is a good source of fiber.
Although the protein content may be slightly lower, it becomes decent when paired with milk.
Moreover, it’s a good source of several other essential nutrients.
While it’s true that Grain Berry cereal may come with a slightly higher price tag, the benefits it offers are undeniably valuable.
So, if you’re a cereal enthusiast or simply looking for a convenient and nutritious breakfast option, I highly recommend giving Grain Berry cereal a try at least once.
It’s a powerful, nutrient-packed choice breakfast cereal that won’t disappoint.
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