What's in Your Oatmeal Cup?

Check for Added Sugars
The amount of added sugars in your cup matters more than the type of sugar it contains. Coconut sugar, brown sugar, cane sugar, or maple sugar may sound healthier than plain table sugar, but they offer no health advantages. And 10 of the 24 oatmeal cups we looked at had a whopping 10 to 18 grams of added sugars—that’s 2½ to 4½ teaspoons. Three of the cups contained no added sugars (such as the Mush and RXBar RX A.M. cups shown below). But if you like a little sweetness, pick a cup that has no more than 9 grams per serving.

Scrutinize the Ingredients List
Think twice about picking a product with pea protein, soy protein isolate, or chicory root fiber. Those are highly processed ingredients, and it’s better to get nutrients from whole foods. Instead, check the label for healthy boosts such as additional whole grains. For instance, Purely Elizabeth's cup contains amaranth and quinoa, as well as nuts and seeds, which add fiber, and healthy fats.

Below are the oatmeal cups we evaluated, divided into "healthier choices" and "others in our tests," and listed alphabetically by product name within each category.