Sugary cereals: Which are the 10 "worst?" (2024)

Parents might think they're keeping their kids healthy by saying no to sugary candy and cookies - but what about breakfast? Many children's cereals contain loads of sugar, even more than some desserts, according to a new study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). The public health watchdog group reviewed 84 popular brands of kids' breakfast cereals and found that one cup of any of 44 cereals contained more sugar than three Chips Ahoy! cookies. Which cereals pack the most sugar? Keep clicking to see the 10 children's cereals the EWG dubbed the "worst"...

10. Kellogg's Froot Loops Original

Froot Loops kick off the list of top 10 most sugary cereals. When measured by weight, 41.4 percent of the cereal is sugar.

9. Quaker Oats Cap'n Crunch's Crunch Berries

Percentage sugar: 42.3

8. Kellogg's Apple Jacks

Percentage sugar: 42.9

7. Kellogg's Smorz

Percentage sugar: 43.3

6. Quaker Oats Oh!s

Percentage sugar: 44.4

6. Quaker Oats Cap'n Crunch Original

Percentage sugar: 44.4

4. Quaker Oats Cap'n Crunch's OOPS! All Berries

Percentage sugar: 46.9

3. Kellogg's Froot Loops Marshmallow

Percentage sugar: 48.3

2. Post Golden Crisp

Percentage sugar: 51.9

1. Kellogg's Honey Smacks

What's the sugariest cereal of them all? According to the Environmental Working Group, it's Kellogg's Honey Smacks. The cereal is described as "sweetened puffed wheat cereal," which doesn't quite let on to the fact that 55.6 percent of the stuff is sugar.

A one-cup serving of Honey Smacks packs more sugar than a Hostess Twinkie, says the EWG.