Ratings of 18 High-Fiber Cereals Reveals 7 Flavorful Choices

Oct 09 Cover (Newsstand) YONKERS, NY — Consumer Reports evaluated 18 high-fiber cereals and found seven especially flavorful choices. The report notes that most Americans can stand to double their intake of fiber which can help control appetite and weight, and might help lower the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Consumer Reports’ trained tasters noted that high-fiber cereals have come a long way from those of over a decade ago when testers said these cereals tasted “more like straw than grain.”

Per serving, the cereals that Consumer Reports tested have 25 to 50 percent of the dietary guideline for a 2,000-calorie diet, which is 28 grams. Here are the seven standouts from the tests:

Kirkland Signature Spiced Pecan (Costco) cereal topped Consumer Reports’ list with a blend of toasted grains, fresh nuts, and seeds, with a big cinnamon-and-nutmeg flavor. It costs just 33 cents per serving.
Kashi GoLean Crunchy Fiber Twigs, Soy Protein Grahams and Honey Puffs rated Very Good for nutritional value, have 10 grams of fiber, and a lightly sweetened, nutty grain flavor that stayed crunchy even in milk. Although Kashi GoLean costs 13 cents more per serving than Kirkland Signature, it has a ¼ cup more cereal per serving.
Archer Farms (Target) High Fiber has a sweet, crunchy, toasted grain and big cinnamon flavor with 10 grams of fiber per serving.
Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Extra! has a lot of flavor and texture from tender raisins and cranberries, almonds, sweet clusters, and nutty wheat flakes with 7 grams of fiber per serving.
Post Shredded Wheat Spoon Size Wheat ‘n Bran, has simple, unsweetened toasted-wheat “pillows” with a nutty grain flavor and 8 grams of fiber per serving.
Great Value Raisin Bran (Walmart) is a good choice for raisin-bran purists.
Barbara’s Bakery Ultimate Organic tastes lightly sweetened and scored Very Good for Nutrition and Taste.

Consumer Reports’ nutrition scores are based on calories per gram of food, as well as the amount of fats, sodium, sugars, iron, calcium, and fiber the samples contain. The report notes that cereals with dried fruit tend to have more sugar than those without because of fruit’s natural sugars. All cereals tested provide a good amount of fiber. The complete report is available on www.ConsumerReports.org.

DID YOU KNOW? Cereals can be labeled with one to three serving sizes, depending on their density. A serving of most of the Consumer Reports tested cereals is about 55 grams: ¾ to 1¼ cups.

About Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports is a nonprofit membership organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. For 80 years, CR has provided evidence-based product testing and ratings, rigorous research, hard-hitting investigative journalism, public education, and steadfast policy action on behalf of consumers’ interests. Unconstrained by advertising or other commercial influences, CR has exposed landmark public health and safety issues and strives to be a catalyst for pro-consumer changes in the marketplace. From championing responsible auto safety standards, to winning food and water protections, to enhancing healthcare quality, to fighting back against predatory lenders in the financial markets, Consumer Reports has always been on the front lines, raising the voices of consumers.

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