Harvest Crunch has been one of the favorite breakfast cereals as a kid for many.
It is manufactured by Quaker and is known for its crunchy oats clusters.
The cereal is made from a combination of whole grain rolled oats and rolled whole wheat and comes in various flavors such as Apple crumble, Raisin almond, Canadian maple, etc.
However, is Harvest Crunch cereal healthy?
Short answer: Harvest Crunch cereal is healthy because it is made from 100% whole grain rolled oats, contain decent amount of protein and fiber, is low in sodium and free from any artificial additives. However, it is high in sugar and should be consumed in moderation.
Read on to find out more about Harvest Crunch cereal, including its ingredients, sugar, protein, fiber content, and more.
Read also: Is Vector Cereal Healthy? The Truth About This Breakfast
What is Harvest Crunch cereal made up of?
Harvest Crunch cereal comes in various flavors. Therefore, the exact ingredients can vary depending on the flavor.
In general, Harvest Crunch cereal is made from Whole grain rolled oats and Rolled whole wheat as the base ingredients.
Other common ingredients that you would find across different flavors include:
- Brown sugar
- Modified milk ingredients
- Dried coconut
- Coconut oil
- Almonds
- Honey blend
- Natural flavor
- Salt
Overall the ingredients in Harvest Crunch cereal are simple and easy to pronounce.
What’s even better is that it is free from major red flags such as HFCS, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
Although the use of modified milk ingredients may be unappealing for some, they pose no health risk.
How much sugar is in Harvest Crunch cereal?
Harvest Crunch cereal is high in sugar containing 10 to 15g per serving(45g), depending on the flavor.
According to American Heart Association, the daily sugar limit for men is 36g, while for women is 24g.
A single serving of Harvest Crunch cereal provides around 40% of the daily sugar limit. That too, when you go with the Original flavor, which has the lowest sugar content.
All the sugar in Harvest Crunch cereal is added sugar derived from brown sugar and honey.
While brown sugar and honey are considered better than table sugar, too much can have the same negative impact as table sugar.
If you are cutting down on sugar, Harvest Crunch cereal might not be a good option.
Here’s the table showing the sugar content of all Harvest Crunch cereal flavors.
| Flavor | Sugar(g) |
|---|---|
| Original | 10 |
| Light & crisp honey nut | 12 |
| Raisin almond | 13 |
| Apple crumble | 10 |
| Dark chocolate, cranberry & almond | 12 |
| Canadian maple | 15 |
How much protein is in Harvest Crunch cereal?
Harvest Crunch cereal contains 4 to 6g of protein per serving(45g), depending on the flavor.
That’s not a very high protein amount, but it can be considered decent. Thanks to the whole-grain rolled oats and whole wheat.
However, that’s not all.
Cereals are typically consumed with milk, which boosts the overall protein content.
For example, a serving of Harvest Crunch cereal with 250ml of cow milk can provide 11 to 14g of protein, which is decent.
Can you use Harvest Crunch cereal for muscle building? Yes, when combined with milk, Harvest Crunch cereal can be a decent source to support your daily protein need.
Here’s the table showing the protein content of all Harvest Crunch cereal flavors.
| Flavor | Protein(g) |
|---|---|
| Original | 5 |
| Light & crisp honey nut | 4 |
| Raisin almond | 4 |
| Apple crumble | 4 |
| Dark chocolate, cranberry & almond | 6 |
| Canadian maple | 6 |
How much fiber is in Harvest Crunch cereal?
Harvest Crunch cereal contains 3 to 4g of fiber per serving(45g), depending on the flavor.
That’s about 12 to 16% of the daily recommended fiber(25g) for adults.
Again that’s not a very high fiber amount, but it can be considered decent.
Fiber is essential as it helps you feel satisfied, promotes healthy digestion, and regulates blood sugar levels.
If compared, Harvest Crunch cereal has more fiber than Reese’s Puffs, Froot Loops, Frosted Flakes, and Rice Krispies.
Here’s the table showing the fiber content of all Harvest Crunch cereal flavors.
| Flavor | Fiber(g) |
|---|---|
| Original | 4 |
| Light & crisp honey nut | 3 |
| Raisin almond | 3 |
| Apple crumble | 4 |
| Dark chocolate, cranberry & almond | 4 |
| Canadian maple | 5 |
How much sodium is in Harvest Crunch cereal?
Harvest Crunch cereal is low in sodium containing 25 to 55mg per serving(45g), depending on the flavor.
That’s not even 5% of the daily ideal sodium limit(1500mg) set by the American Heart Association.
Sodium is an essential part of the diet, but too much of it can result in heart-related issues.
The low sodium in Harvest Crunch cereal might be a downside for those having no problem with sodium.
However, if you limiting sodium in your diet due to high blood pressure or heart health concerns, Harvest Crunch cereal can be a great option.
Here’s the table showing the sodium content of all Harvest Crunch cereal flavors.
| Flavor | Sodium(mg) |
|---|---|
| Original | 35 |
| Light & crisp honey nut | 55 |
| Raisin almond | 30 |
| Apple crumble | 25 |
| Dark chocolate, cranberry & almond | 40 |
| Canadian maple | 45 |
Is Harvest Crunch cereal good for weight loss?
Harvest Crunch cereal is not good for weight loss as it is high in added sugar.
It’s also moderately high in calories, with 200 to 230 per serving. That, too, without milk.
When paired with milk, the calorie content can increase up to 300, which is high, especially when looking to lose weight.
For weight loss, occasionally consume Harvest Crunch cereal or look for low-sugar alternatives.
Note that weight loss depends not only on one food but overall diet and lifestyle.
Is Harvest Crunch cereal gluten-free?
Harvest Crunch cereal is not gluten-free as it is made with rolled whole wheat as the second main ingredient.
Additionally, flavors like Dark chocolate, cranberry & almond, and Raisin almond contain soy lecithin. These flavors are not suitable for those with soy allergy.
Is Harvest Crunch cereal vegan?
Harvest Crunch cereal is not vegan as it contains modified milk ingredients.
Final words
After looking at the ingredients and nutritional value of the Harvest Crunch cereal, it can be concluded that it is healthy for you.
There are various reasons for this, such as:
- It is made from 100% whole-grain rolled oats and whole wheat.
- It is a decent source of protein and fiber.
- It is low in sodium.
- It is free from artificial additives.
The only concern with Harvest Crunch cereal is its double digit grams of added sugar.
Therefore, it’s crucial to consume it in moderation.
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