Are Rice Krispies Healthy?

You might think all grains are bad grains if you’re an IBS sufferer.

You may be flummoxed by the high wheat and sugar content on some of your favourite brands (think Kellogg’s Frosties!) and immediately run a country mile. But it is possible to find a health, low-sugar cereal for those mornings where a quick get-up-and-go is in dire need.

So we chose some of our favourites for you guys with IBS… let me know if any of these are already staples in your home 🙂 I’ve had to do it in installments as there’s too many to choose from! First off – Rice Krispies (my favourite!)..

Related: Top Tips For Choosing a Healthy Breakfast Cereal

Rice Krispies

The top brand

Kellogg’s Rice Krispies

Kellogg’s lead the way in homely crispy rice cereal which kids love. That snap, crackle and pop is something kids die for – but if you’re not careful you could be out of pocket and tipping over the scales with your ricey experience tomorrow morning.

The leading brand’s ingredients are:

• Rice (71%)
• Sugar
• Salt
• Barley Malt Flavouring
• Vitamins & Minerals: Niacin, Iron, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B1 (Thiamin), Vitamin D, Vitamin B12 – added in just so the branding can take off.
• Folic Acid

While the Food Standards Agency has recommended folic acid fortification, and wheat flour is fortified with iron, folic acid fortification of wheat flour is allowed voluntarily rather than required. (see here for more info about fortification of flours)

Related: What’s the difference between soy milk & cow’s dairy milk?

The value range

Everyday Value Rice Snaps

You might be surprised to know that there is 18% more rice at the root of this recipe – although this is rice flour and not pure rice like Kellogg’s version. Other ingredients, in order, are:

• Rice flour (89%)
• Sugar
• Barley Malt Extract
• Caramelised Sugar Syrup

You can refer to Glucose-Fructose syrup if you need a reference… and we know how bad that stuff is..

• Paprika Extract
• Iron
• Niacin
• Pantothenic Acid
• Riboflavin
• Thiamin
• Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12
• Folic Acid

The healthiest choice

Kallo’s Puffed Rice Cereal

Although Kellogg’s would like you to believe their Rice Krispies Multigrain cereal is the healthy response to the sugar-laden original, you’d be wrong.

Unfortunately, the rice is simply swapped with rice and oat flour (26%) and maize, and more vitamins and minerals along with many more flavourings and colourings) are added to the mix.

Instead, opt for something like Kallo Organic Puffed Rice Cereal which is exactly what it says it is … puffed rice and nothing else. No additives or colourings, and are sure to keep you fuller for longer and are an obvious healthy rice krispie alternative.

Can’t find it in your local supermarket? Take a look here instead.