The 12 Most Unhealthy Cereal Brands for Kids – and 3 Replacements

No matter how the world changes, one thing always remains constant: kids love to eat cereal for breakfast. There's nothing like sitting down with a heaping bowl of your favorite colorful concoction at the breakfast table or in front of the TV. However, not all cereals are created equal. There are many unhealthy cereal brands out there, and you need to be informed to set your kids up for success each day.

Yes, as you may imagine, many of the classic cereals we have enjoyed for decades are unhealthy. From Franken Berry to Lucky Charms, these cereals contain sugar, dyes, artificial flavors, and other unsavory ingredients. With artificial food dyes being such a hot topic lately, you might be looking for healthier options for your kids. To help you find the best options, we have this list of several unhealthy cereals and a few healthy alternatives.

This post was updated in March 2026 to include updated information about popular cereal brands and additional editorial enhancements.

If you value the health of your kids, you should avoid Franken Berry cereal. This is one of the most unhealthy cereal brands because it's loaded with sugar. Every serving that your kids eat has 11 grams of sugar. For reference, most medical experts recommend getting less than 36 grams of sugar in a day, so this is a lot for breakfast. On that note, you should also avoid Boo Berry cereal for the same reason.

Cookie Crisp is another cereal you and your kids should avoid. It's loaded with sugar and has 140 calories per serving. It also has a ton of sodium and not enough protein. There are a lot of downsides to this cereal, so be careful. That may be easier said than done since your kids will likely get excited about cookies for breakfast, but try your best.

Lucky Charms is one of the most famous of all children's cereals. It's also one of the most unhealthy cereal brands. Most cereals that are loaded with marshmallows are going to be unhealthy because they contain a lot of sugar and artificial flavors that aren't doing your kids any favors. Each serving also has 140 calories and a ton of sodium.

Froot Loops are another of the most famous but also most unhealthy cereal brands. One bowl of this cereal comes with 150 calories, 210 mg of sodium, and 34 g of carbs. Various artificial flavors and fruit dyes give the cereal its color, but they aren't exactly healthy. If you're going to let your kids eat Froot Loops, make it a small serving and pair it with some actual fruit.

A big trend that you'll see on this list is that many of the most unhealthy cereals are also the most colorful. Fruity Pebbles is another example. There's a ton of sugar in each bowl in addition to 150 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, and 31 grams of carbs. This is one of many cereals that use a food preservative called butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). While some early studies in rodents raised concerns, current regulatory agencies such as the FDA and EFSA consider BHT safe for consumption at the levels used in food.

The name alone will likely give you the impression that Frosted Flakes are not the healthiest cereal in the world. The cereal is known for its sweet taste, which is made possible due to a heaping serving of sugar per bowl. A whole bowl contains 14 grams of sugar, which is over a third of the recommended daily maximum. Additionally, Frosted Flakes contain a high amount of calories and carbs.

They say that Trix is for kids, but you may want to keep your children away from this unhealthy cereal. It's loaded with sugar, has 160 calories per serving, and two grams of fat per bowl. Plus, the cereal has many different artificial colors and flavors.

Reese's Puffs are easily one of the most unhealthy cereal brands you can find. It's essentially like eating an entire bowl of candy, and there's very little nutritional value involved. To start, each bowl has 12 grams of sugar, 220 mg of sodium, and 30 grams of carbs. However, the worst part is 4.5 grams of fat in every serving. That's more than any other cereal on this list so far. Be careful not to eat too much of this.

Don't be fooled just because there's a fruit in the title, because Apple Jacks are far from healthy. On the bright side, the cereal does have some grains as part of the ingredients, which provide some minerals and vitamins. However, the cereal is not really good for kids. It has a lot of sodium and 13 grams of sugar per serving, which is a big portion of your daily maximum.

Cocoa Puffs are all about chocolate, so it's not hard to imagine them not being super healthy. On the positive side, a serving of the cereal does provide a good amount of iron, but that's where it ends. Each serving also includes 12 grams of sugar and 130 mg of sodium. Plus, there is 0 grams of saturated fat per bowl, so it's not a good start to the morning. Plus, there are 3.3 grams of saturated fat in each bowl, so it's not a good start to the morning.

Corn Pops may seem innocent enough. They're not very colorful, and they have the word "corn" in the title. But don't be fooled. Corn Pops are one of the most unhealthy cereal brands. One serving contains a lot of sugar, 55 mg of sodium, and plenty of carbs. Plus, the cereal contains annatto extract, which adds the color. It is an element that has been added to allergic reactions.

Don't be fooled – the Captain does not have your child's best interest at heart. Each serving is loaded with sugar (16 grams), 150 calories, 2 grams of fat, 290 mg of sodium, and 33 grams of carbohydrates. Just like all of these bad cereals, stick to this one in moderation. This cereal also includes the preservative BHT, which, although there are some concerns about it, is considered safe for consumption by regulatory agencies such as the FDA and EFSA at the levels used in food.

Most varieties of Cheerios are among the healthiest cereals you or your kids can eat. They have little sugar, and they provide a good amount of protein, which a growing body needs. The best form of Cheerios from a health standpoint is the original version. However, if you want more flavor, go for multigrain. The cereal contains 8 grams of sugar, which is still less than many competitors, and it contains a good amount of protein.

If your kids want a tasty cereal but you're concerned about sugar content, try any of the versions of Chex. Whether it's Cinnamon, Honey Nut, or Chocolate Chex, you'll be in decent shape. Some Chex varieties contain up to 12 grams of sugar per serving. It's not ideal, but it's less than the competitors. Your kids will be fine if they eat it in moderation. 

They say that Kix is "kid-tested, parent-approved," and they're not wrong. This is one of the healthiest mainstream cereals on the market. The cereal only has three grams of sugar per serving, and it contains both fiber and protein, which are essential for growing bodies. The cereal also has enough flavor to keep kids interested.