Wheaties

Wheaties
Seed oil free Bioengineered Lab tested
19 Poor

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The Real Cereal Co. Organic Rice Crisps The Real Cereal Co. · 3 pack 95 View on Amazon See all Cereal, ranked

At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 3
Harmful ingredients 2
Owned by General Mills
Category Cereal
Summary

Wheaties scores 19/100. Food Democracy Now / The Detox Project 2016 testing (Anresco Laboratories) confirmed positive for glyphosate. The base is whole grain wheat — a meaningful positive — but the deck adds both sugar and honey, and the herbicide residue contamination drags the score down significantly from where a clean whole-wheat cereal would land.

Contaminants 1

Source: Anresco Laboratories

Glyphosate
Detected
High

Detected at a high level — at or above health-based exposure limits. Regular exposure at this level is a genuine health concern. Glyphosate is classified as a probable human carcinogen by IARC.

Food Democracy Now / The Detox Project 2016 testing (Anresco Laboratories, FDA-registered, LC-MS/MS) confirmed positive for glyphosate.

Key ingredients 11

Sugar
Bad

Refined sugar is a source of empty calories with no essential nutrients. Excessive consumption can lead to weight gain and increased risk of metabolic diseases. It is often added to enhance sweetness in processed foods.

Risks

High intake of sugar can contribute to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and dental cavities.

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Corn syrup
Bad

Corn syrup is a sweetener that provides calories without essential nutrients. It is often used in processed foods to enhance sweetness and texture. High consumption can contribute to metabolic disorders.

Risks

May lead to increased risk of obesity and insulin resistance when consumed in large amounts.

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Salt
Neutral

Salt is used to enhance flavor and preserve food. It is a source of sodium, which is essential for fluid balance and nerve function. However, excessive intake can lead to health issues.

Risks

High sodium intake is associated with increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

Benefits

Provides essential sodium needed for various bodily functions, including nerve transmission and muscle contraction.

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Vitamin E
Neutral

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from oxidative damage. It is often added to foods to enhance nutritional value. The form used in foods is typically synthetic.

Benefits

Acts as an antioxidant, supporting immune function and skin health.

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Iron
Neutral

Iron is an essential mineral important for oxygen transport in the blood. It is often added to foods to prevent deficiencies. The bioavailability of iron can vary depending on its form.

Risks

Excessive iron intake can lead to toxicity, especially in individuals with hemochromatosis.

Benefits

Supports the formation of hemoglobin and myoglobin, crucial for oxygen transport and muscle function.

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Vitamin C
Neutral

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that supports immune health and collagen synthesis. It is often added to foods to prevent deficiencies. The form used in foods is typically synthetic.

Benefits

Enhances iron absorption and supports immune function.

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Vitamin B6
Neutral

Vitamin B6 is important for protein metabolism and cognitive development. It is often added to foods to enhance nutritional value. It is water-soluble and plays a role in neurotransmitter synthesis.

Benefits

Supports brain health and aids in the production of neurotransmitters.

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Vitamin B2
Neutral

Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, is essential for energy production and cellular function. It is often added to foods to prevent deficiencies. It is water-soluble and helps convert food into energy.

Benefits

Supports energy metabolism and helps maintain healthy skin and eyes.

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Whole grain wheat
Good

Whole grain wheat is a source of dietary fiber and essential nutrients. It is minimally processed, retaining its bran and germ, which provide vitamins and minerals. Consuming whole grains is associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases.

Risks

May contain gluten, which can be a concern for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Benefits

Rich in dietary fiber, which supports digestive health and helps maintain stable blood sugar levels. Provides essential nutrients like B vitamins and iron.

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Zinc
Good

Beneficial ingredient — whole-food or functional value in this product class.

Risks

Excessive zinc intake can interfere with copper absorption and lead to toxicity.

Benefits

Supports immune function, DNA synthesis, and cell division.

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Niacinamide
Good

Vitamin B3 — evidence-backed skin and metabolic benefits.

Benefits

Supports energy production and helps maintain healthy skin.

See more about Niacinamide →

Processing

Group 4 · Ultra-processed

Ultra-Processed Foods

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Wheaties

Common questions

Is Wheaties healthy?

Wheaties scores 19/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — one of the lower scores in Scout's catalog. Food Democracy Now / The Detox Project 2016 testing (Anresco Laboratories) confirmed positive for glyphosate.

Does Wheaties contain seed oils?

No — Scout's ingredient analysis marks Wheaties as seed-oil free.

Has Wheaties been lab-tested?

Yes. Wheaties carries an independent laboratory panel from Anresco Laboratories covering 1 contaminant (including Glyphosate) — the full results are on this page.

How processed is Wheaties?

Wheaties is NOVA Group 4: Ultra-Processed Foods.

How does Wheaties compare to other cereals?

Wheaties ranks #20 of 35 cereals in Scout's independent rankings. The current top score in the category is The Real Cereal Co. Organic Rice Crisps at 95/100.

Which ingredients drive Wheaties' score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Whole grain wheat, Zinc, Niacinamide count in its favor; Sugar, Corn syrup are flagged as ingredients of concern. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

Healthy alternatives

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