Reduced-Sugar Cereals Not At All Healthier

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Reduced-Sugar Cereals Not At All Healthier

POSTED: 8:38 am EST March 21, 2005

Cereal makers are touting the latest reduced-sugar versions of their

popular breakfast fare -- but experts say the cereals aren't any

healthier than the originals.

Experts reviewed the lower-sugar versions of six major brands of

sweetened cereals at the request of The Associated Press. They found

they have no significant nutritional advantages over their full-sugar

counterparts.

Nutrition scientists at five universities found the new cereals do

have less sugar. But the calories, carbohydrates, fat, fiber and

other nutrients are almost identical to the full-sugar cereals.

That's because sugar has been replaced with refined carbohydrates to

preserve the crunch.

Cereal company officials they are merely responding to parents'

demands for products with less sugar and that they aren't claiming

these cereals are any healthier.

The cereals reviewed by the experts were lower-sugar versions of

General Mills' Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Kellogg's Frosted Flakes and

Froot Loops; General Mills' Cocoa Puffs and Trix; and Post's Fruity

Pebbles. Only the Cinnamon Toast Crunch saw a true calorie reduction,

dropping from 130 calories to 120 per three-fourths cup serving.

The experts said the other cereals all had the same number of

calories per serving as their more sugary counterparts.

The cereal makers were unable to explain why the new cereals would be

a healthier choice. Scientists say they won't even help people with

diabetes, because the refined carbohydrates act exactly the same as

sugar in the body.

Summary

WHAT EXPERTS SAY: Experts who reviewed new lower-sugar versions of

six major brands of sweetened cereals found they have no significant

nutritional advantages over their full-sugar counterparts.

WHAT THE CEREALS CONTAIN: The new cereals have less sugar, but they

still contain nearly the same calories, carbohydrates, fat, fiber and

other nutrients as regular cereals. Cereal makers replaced sugar with

refined carbohydrates to preserve the crunch.

WHAT THE COMPANIES SAY: Officials at General Mills, Kellogg's and

Post were unable to explain why the new cereals are a better choice,

but noted they give consumers more options about how much sugar they

eat.

Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This

material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.