8 Cereals That Made Me Stop Buying Cheerios

Cheerios has been a breakfast staple for decades, and it is easy to see why. Between the classic original, Honey Nut Cheerios, Apple Cinnamon Cheerios, and newer varieties like protein and oat crunch options, the brand has a flavor for almost every kind of cereal eater. It is simple, familiar, and easy to keep in the pantry for quick breakfasts or snacks.

Still, even a longtime favorite can start to feel repetitive. Some Cheerios flavors have come and gone over the years, and not every new variety is easy to find in every store. After buying Cheerios for years, I started trying other cereals that offered different flavors, textures, ingredients, or more satisfying breakfast options for my family.

This list looks at eight cereals I now buy instead of Cheerios. Some are better for people who like simple oat-based cereals, while others offer more crunch, protein, fiber, or flavor variety. If you usually reach for Cheerios but want something new in the breakfast rotation, these are the alternatives worth considering.

Honey Bunches of Oats is a cereal made by Post. They have a variety of flavors including Honey Roasted, Vanilla, Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds, and Cinnamon Bunches. Post also came out with a Honey Bunches of Oats Granola that comes in French Vanilla Almond or Honey Roasted.

What makes Honey Bunches of Oats so delicious is the combination of crispy cereal flakes and the signature oat clusters. The Honey Roasted variety was the original Honey Bunches of Oats flavor and is still one of the most popular. The cereal is sweetened with honey but one serving of the cereal only has 9 grams of sugar without milk.

Chex is a cereal made by General Mills, although the original name of the cereal was Shredded Ralston. The original cereal was the variety we now know as Wheat Chex, but General Mills has released numerous other flavors including Honey Nut Chex, Rice Chex, Chocolate Chex, and Peanut Butter Chex.

Chex has always been one of my favorite cereals. Even though I do have a sweet tooth, I have always loved some of the plain varieties like Corn Chex and Wheat Chex. No matter what type of Chex you choose, it goes well with milk and tastes good on its own as well. As an added bonus, you can make your own Chex Mix when you have this cereal in the house.

Great Grains is another cereal made by Post. This cereal comes in varieties such as Banana Nut Crunch, Raisins, Dates & Pecans, Red Berry Almond Crunch, and Cranberry Almond Crunch. Each of the flavors has a combination of flakes, nuts, and other filling ingredients.

Great Grains Cereal is always one of my go-to breakfast cereals. Although I've never been disappointed with any of the varieties, the Banana Nut Crunch is my favorite and it's a cereal I've loved since I was a kid. Great Grains Cereal is more filling than most other cereals and has plenty of whole grains.

Life is a cereal made by Quaker Oats that comes in Original, Chocolate, Vanilla, and Cinnamon. These crunchy squares are made out of corn flour, whole wheat flour, and whole grain oat flour. The oats give them a slightly nutty flavor.

This multigrain cereal has the right amount of crunch without being too hard. Out of all the varieties, I enjoy the cinnamon the most. The nutty flavor of the oat cereal pairs perfectly with the taste of cinnamon. Additionally, each serving of Life has 24 grams of whole grains.

Grape-Nuts Cereal is a breakfast cereal made by Post. This cereal is made of whole-grain wheat and barley, making it a healthy way to start your morning. Grape-Nuts now comes in two varieties: the original Grape-Nuts and Grape-Nuts Flakes.

If you're looking for a cereal with whole grains and a healthy dose of fiber, Grape-Nuts is the way to go. Just a half cup of Grape-Nuts has 7 grams of fiber. Compared to many other breakfast cereals, this one will help you feel the most full throughout the morning.

Special K is another breakfast cereal made by Kellogg's. Although this cereal has been marketed as a breakfast option for those trying to lose weight, it's not much different than other cereals when it comes to nutrition. Special K comes in a handful of flavors such as Special K Red Berries, Fruit & Yogurt, Chocolatey Delight, and Vanilla Almond.

Eating Special K isn't necessarily going to help you lose weight, but it is a good alternative to eating a pastry for breakfast. The Chocolatey Delight Cereal is great for those who have a sweet tooth but are trying to avoid eating too much sugar. One serving of the chocolate Special K has 12 grams of sugar.

Another popular cereal made by Kellogg's is Frosted Mini Wheats. Frosted Mini Wheats is a shredded wheat cereal sweetened with a layer of frosting. There are several varieties of Frosted Mini Wheats, including Little Bites, Golden Honey, Strawberry, and Cinnamon Roll.

Frosted Mini Wheats have the perfect amount of sweetness but aren't too sweet. Nothing beats the original flavor. However, seasonal flavors like the Pumpkin Pie Spice Frosted Mini Wheats can be a fun way to mix it up. Frosted Mini Wheats certainly don't have as much fiber as cereals like Grape-Nuts, but there are 3 grams of fiber in one serving.

Rice Krispies is the original crisped rice cereal made by Kellogg's. This cereal is made by cooking rice along with malt flavoring, sugar, and a bit of salt. The signature snap, crackle, and pop sounds that happen when you pour milk into the cereal are due to the air inside the puffed rice.

Even though Rice Krispies do have added sugar, they're not as sweet as many other cereals. One serving of Rice Krispies only has 2 grams of sugar. Rice Krispies make a good breakfast, but if you're looking for something sweet, you can also use them to make Rice Krispies Treats at home with just a few ingredients.