Raisin Bran Cereal. What's the deal?

amandavictoria80
amandavictoria80 Posts: 734 Member
edited September 27 in Food and Nutrition
I am really confused about eating Raisin Bran cereal. I assumed that it was healthy, and in fact, good for me. Bran. Raisins. Good for you right? Well, I am not so sure now that I have read the nutritional information.
Serving size is the same as most cereals at 1 cup. The carbohydrates are unbelievably high at 43g. That amount of carbs honestly scares me and I don't even have that many carbs to spare. The calories are also pretty high at 180. Sugar is high because the raisins are "coated with sugar" (why?) and that is 13g. That is a lot more sugar than I like in my cereal. I didn't even buy cereals that have lots of sugar before I started eating better. The problem was that I didn't read nutritional labels on the box then. I seriously just assumed raisin bran was good for me because it had bran. I think I may have been very wrong.
The fat content is low at 2%, which would be great if it weren't for the calories, carbs and sugars. Does it even matter that the fat content is low when you take all the other things into consideration.

I would love to know your opinions about this. :)

Replies

  • jencoz04
    jencoz04 Posts: 67 Member
    maybe find a plain bran cereal & add raisins (non sugar coated) separate
  • b00b0084
    b00b0084 Posts: 729 Member
    There is one type of Raisin Brand that isnt too bad, you just have to look at all the different types.
  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    Yeah, I wouldn't necessarily call it healthy - although it's better than some.

    IMO, Kashi cereals are MUCH better for a cereal - decent protein (especially for a cereal), good fats from nuts, and ok on carbs.
  • FitPhysique
    FitPhysique Posts: 284 Member
    It's not. It's one of those "fake" healthy stuff. You are better off eating kashi go lean. It's high in Fiber and proteins without all the added sugar. Now if I can only convince my brother to stop eating it.
  • cawood2
    cawood2 Posts: 177 Member
    Some things that look healthy just aren't upon closer examination. It is all about the labels and reading ingredients. :P Or as one poster said, assemble your own. I hate that things can look good for you, but are loaded with sugar, or fat, or sodium. Have to be an educated and aware consumer these days.
  • kimmerroze
    kimmerroze Posts: 1,330 Member
    that right there is why I check the labels on everything. even things that seem "healthy"

    The names are soo misleading sometimes
  • poustotah
    poustotah Posts: 1,121 Member
    IMO, cereals in general suck. 180 calories, in retrospect, isn't that much except who eats a cup of cereal? Most people eat 2 cups and while 180 calories isn't that big of a deal, 360 calories for cereal IS a much bigger deal. Then you double your carbs, your sugar and everything else and it's really not all that great. Now let's add milk to that mix now. More sugar, more calories, etc. As far as 'healthy' well, Raisin Bran is VERY healthy - if you compare it to Fruity Pebbles.

    I prefer the Kashi cereals which are a bit better and I limit myself to a cup and a half at most and I only do that once in a great while. If I want raisins, well, I never want raisins.
  • scubacat
    scubacat Posts: 346 Member
    Most cereals will be higher in carbs but 43g carbs wouldn't be desireable for me either. My Kashi Go Lean Cereal runs about 34 carbs but I don't have it everyday. I figure if you go higher carb, then morning is the best time to do it. I loved Raisin Bran though. Cascadian Farms Organic Raisin Bran doesn't have the sugar coating but is more expensive and I can't remember what the carbs are. One option would be to buy a heathier bran cereal and add your own raisins. Prior to joining MFP, I never realized how many carbs I was supposed to allow myself, and its pretty scary to think of how many I was consuming prior to MFP. Its been eye-opening for sure.
  • saltorian
    saltorian Posts: 192 Member
    I understand your confusion! Just trying to figure out what's "good for you" to eat seems to require a degree in nutritional science and a big magnifying glass... But here are a few of my thoughts:

    If carbs "scare" you, then maybe eating cereal for breakfast isn't your thing in the first place. All cereals are going to be high in carbs because, well, they're grains. Choosing eggs instead will give you less of that. If you aren't on a "low carb" style diet and you choose high fiber, whole grains, though, I wouldn't let it bother you.

    As for the sugar, it's not just the coating. Raisins themselves are a pretty high source of sugar because they're like all dried fruits -- with the water taken out, the sugar is more concentrated. Perhaps you could choose a plainer cereal and add fresh fruit to it instead of the raisins. (I understand that it's less convenient and more expensive -- but also worth it, IMO, if it's something you can do!)

    Anyway, just my two cents! Hope you figure out something that works for you!
  • danibee41989
    danibee41989 Posts: 222 Member
    I read in "What Not to Eat" that Raisin bran cereal is not one of the best cereals to eat because of the amount of sugar. It was in the cereals not to eat. I was a little disappointed. It's one of my favorite
  • Mad_Dog_Muscle
    Mad_Dog_Muscle Posts: 1,251 Member
    maybe find a plain bran cereal & add raisins (non sugar coated) separate

    I agree with this option.... sometimes we have to be creative if we want to eat healthier.
  • rachrach66
    rachrach66 Posts: 271 Member
    I loved Raisin Bran Crunch! I was like yummy this has to be healthy right?! Wrong! It's better than most kids cereals like Trix and Honey Smacks but it's not the healthiest. Here is a guide that helped me chose better when I wanted the best cereal. Hope it helps!:smile:

    http://eatthis.menshealth.com/blog/24-best-and-worst-cereals
  • aflane
    aflane Posts: 625 Member
    I prefer Barbara's Bakery Cinnamon Puffins. Serving size is 2/3 cup - 90 cals, 26 g carbs, 6 g fiber, 6 g sugar. AND tastes yummy!
  • AshleyLauren589
    AshleyLauren589 Posts: 139 Member
    I'm a big special k fan, especially with all of the new flavors they have (chocolate... Yum!) but even those aren't the best for you. Gotta stick to the plain stuff. Original cherrios aren't too bad either, but a little boring :cry:
  • HolleeERL
    HolleeERL Posts: 313 Member
    I don't buy Raisin Bran because they put too many raisins in it! I buy just bran flakes with whole grain and add Sun Maid raisins to it. Much less sugar and better ratio of bran to raisins!! :o)
  • bcpie
    bcpie Posts: 89
    I just started trying to lower my carbs. I have lost faith in cereal )':
  • amandavictoria80
    amandavictoria80 Posts: 734 Member
    Thanks. I actually just read an article that mentioned Kashi. I am going to take a look.
  • amandavictoria80
    amandavictoria80 Posts: 734 Member
    Thanks! :)
    I am the same way. I can not believe the things I was eating. And more so, the things I was eating that I actually thought were good for me. If only I had been counting all along. I wish I had found this me along time ago. :) lol
  • amandavictoria80
    amandavictoria80 Posts: 734 Member
    Thanks for the website! I'll check it out.
  • amandavictoria80
    amandavictoria80 Posts: 734 Member
    I read in "What Not to Eat" that Raisin bran cereal is not one of the best cereals to eat because of the amount of sugar. It was in the cereals not to eat. I was a little disappointed. It's one of my favorite

    I know how you feel. It is so disappointing. I love Raisin Bran. I can't imagine what the nutrition label says about some of my other favorite cereals. lol
  • amandavictoria80
    amandavictoria80 Posts: 734 Member
    I understand your confusion! Just trying to figure out what's "good for you" to eat seems to require a degree in nutritional science and a big magnifying glass... But here are a few of my thoughts:

    If carbs "scare" you, then maybe eating cereal for breakfast isn't your thing in the first place. All cereals are going to be high in carbs because, well, they're grains. Choosing eggs instead will give you less of that. If you aren't on a "low carb" style diet and you choose high fiber, whole grains, though, I wouldn't let it bother you.

    As for the sugar, it's not just the coating. Raisins themselves are a pretty high source of sugar because they're like all dried fruits -- with the water taken out, the sugar is more concentrated. Perhaps you could choose a plainer cereal and add fresh fruit to it instead of the raisins. (I understand that it's less convenient and more expensive -- but also worth it, IMO, if it's something you can do!)

    Anyway, just my two cents! Hope you figure out something that works for you!

    Thanks so much for the info! I really appreciate it. :)
  • jmruef
    jmruef Posts: 824 Member
    I eat Raisin Bran but I do measure. One cup isn't a lot! :noway: However, I eat slower and pay attention (more or less) when I eat, so it does fill me up.

    It isn't necessarily the healthiest option, but - *shrug*. It's not the worst in the world either.
  • tmacs
    tmacs Posts: 60
    Don't forget about the vitamins! Vitamins are healthy :). Total Raisin Bran is probably the best health wise.
  • ATT949
    ATT949 Posts: 1,245 Member
    I was under the same impression for quite some time.

    I bought "organic" raisin bran ("oooh organic!!") and then added almonds ("almonds are a good source of calories and good fats") and raisins ("fruit is good for you")

    That was one of the things that helped make me within 0.5 pounds of being morbidly obese!

    Never again.

    One of the greatest lessons I've learned is how little food I actually need compared to how much food I want.

    And raisin bran is no where in the "foods I need" category.
  • lovinmamaxo
    lovinmamaxo Posts: 368 Member
    Does anyone know how 5 grain cheerios ranks? That is my favorite. My old favorites are on the "bad list" no surprise with lucky charms and fruit loops lol
  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    Does anyone know how 5 grain cheerios ranks? That is my favorite. My old favorites are on the "bad list" no surprise with lucky charms and fruit loops lol

    Regular cheerios aren't too bad, IMO. Some fiber, not too much sugar. If you add some fresh fruit, even better.
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