*Our crew independently evaluates and critiques merchandise for the OA group. In the event you click on on the hyperlinks offered, we might obtain compensation which helps to maintain the lights on. Study extra.
Basic Mills claims that Cheerios are not produced with genetically modified elements, as acknowledged on the label, however that raised eyebrows lately when it was found that Cheerios had been contaminated with glyphosate. This, btw, is stunning as a result of GMOs are genetically engineered to be immune to glyphosate, aka, farmers can goal weeds whereas leaving the resistant crops unaffected. Thus, why the necessity for glyphosate?
What the Heck is Glyphosate?
Along with being present in weed killers, glyphosate can be the lively ingredient within the common Monsanto herbicide Roundup.1 Trigger for concern? Completely. Glyphosate is most frequently used with GMO crops. It’s not one thing we should always fear about when in search of wholesome cereal choices to feed our households.
(Psst…it’s not simply Basic Mills. Glyphosate was present in a number of common processed meals when present process testing by Meals Democracy Now!)
The Well being Dangers of Glyphosate in Your Meals
Glyphosate is an undesirable ingredient to seek out in cereal for various causes. First, glyphosate was discovered to be a “possible human carcinogen” by the World Well being Group again in 2015, and has been linked to most cancers — probably not one thing you need floating round in your youngsters’ breakfast bowls.2
In keeping with the Environmental Working Group (EWG), new human research counsel that publicity to this chemical throughout being pregnant could also be related to dangers corresponding to decrease start weight, shorter being pregnant, and located kids uncovered to glyphosate are at greater dangers for metabolic and liver illness.2
The Environmental Dangers of Glyphosate
Glyphosate additionally has some equally scary results on the setting. It has been linked to pollinator dying, together with inhabitants decline amongst Monarch butterflies. To not point out hurt to the spatial studying and reminiscence of honeybees, impairing their capability to pollinate crops and discover meals sources.
While you select GMO-free meals for your loved ones, you’re not purported to have to fret about glyphosate: in spite of everything, GMO-free meals usually are not “Roundup prepared” and don’t resist glyphosate.
Nevertheless, Monsanto has inspired farmers to spray glyphosate on sure crops, together with oats — the primary ingredient in Cheerios and lots of breakfast cereals — with the intention to dry them down earlier than processing.
In different phrases, your favourite breakfast cereals could also be GMO-free and nonetheless comprise glyphosate.
Would you like the excellent news first, or the unhealthy information?
The Good Information
The excellent news is that lately, glyphosate charges have decreased in some handy snack and breakfast merchandise corresponding to cereals, granola, oatmeal, and snack bars discovered in lots of grocery shops.2 That is nice information as a result of oats are confirmed to decrease levels of cholesterol and help coronary heart well being.5 And oat seedlings have been linked with neuroprotective results, which implies oats might help mind well being as nicely!6
The EWG states “Our newest spherical of exams confirmed concentrations of glyphosate above our well being benchmark in just below a 3rd of typical samples.”
That is higher, however we aren’t within the clear but, as glyphosate remains to be being detected, with the very best quantities present in Quaker merchandise.
The Dangerous Information – There’s a New Pesticide Creeping in Your Meals
Now for some unhealthy information– chlormequat, a pesticide discovered to hurt improvement and reproductive methods in animals, has been creeping into oat-based merchandise. Actually, it was detected in 12 of 13 non-organic lab-tested, oat-based merchandise.3 Out of the 12 detected to have chlormequat, 11 had been discovered to have ranges greater than we deem to be secure for kids’s consumption.
Whereas chlormequat is not accepted for meals merchandise grown within the US, imported oats are allowed to have residue on them, a regulation permitted by the EPA in 2018. One thing to remember whereas strolling the cereal aisle!
Right here’s How We Discovered Our Checklist of Cereals With out Glyphosate
At Natural Authority, we predict cancer-causing chemical compounds don’t have any place in meals. With this in thoughts, how are you supposed to seek out cereal manufacturers which are clear, sustainable, and healthful?
We took our cue from the Cornucopia Institute, the natural business watchdog group recognized for its egg scorecard and work on carrageenan elimination from natural merchandise.
The group has created an identical cereal scorecard, rating manufacturers based mostly on seven standards, together with the natural standing of the model, GMO coverage, and firm coverage on harmful chemical compounds like glyphosate. This helps to chop by deceptive advertising and well being claims. The highest manufacturers in grocery shops have a five-wheat rating (and common cereals and types like Basic Mills earn a measly one-wheat score).
“We are able to take the regulation into our personal palms and reward the easiest firms and shield our household concurrently,” explains Cornucopia co-founder Mark Kastel.
He recommends selecting solely licensed natural meals to be sure that we don’t get tripped up by nasty GMOs, however there’s extra to good meals than hunting down the unhealthy.
When you’re at it, you could wish to contemplate additional defending your youngster by guaranteeing their intestine well being, which is confirmed to help immunity and extra. Each fiber-rich meals (prebiotics), like natural cereals, and probiotics might assist (learn extra on probiotics for youths right here).
“We try to distinguish between the true heroes on this business, complying with the spirit and the letter of the regulation, and main manufacturers we contemplate ‘scofflaws,’” explains Kastel.
With that in thoughts, listed here are only a few cereal manufacturers you possibly can actually belief.
Listed below are 8 Wholesome Cereal Options to Cheerios
Chilly Cereals
1. Nature’s Path
Nature’s Path will get a five-wheat score from the Cornucopia Institute due to its long-time dedication to natural meals.
“Our aim is to be a trusted title for high quality natural meals in each residence – socially accountable, environmentally sustainable and financially viable,” the corporate notes on its web site.
They’re USDA licensed natural, licensed gluten free, and every little thing is produced and grown utilizing non-chemical agriculture. And did we point out, they’re scrumptious?
This firm’s line of chilly breakfast cereals actually provides one thing for everybody, with greater than 50 varieties. The Q’ia line of flakes is made with sprouted grains and add-ins like honest commerce cocoa powder or chia seeds. Crispy rice and corn flakes, will remind you of basic common cereal favorites (with out the pesky herbicides).
The Envirokidz line is scrumptious and makes an influence. With each buy, Nature’s Path donates 1% of the proceeds to environmental training and conservation initiatives that assist save endangered animals. So, whereas your youngsters (and also you!) munch on a scrumptious wholesome different to most retailer purchased cereals marketed to youngsters, you may be saving animals in want!
Combine it up with their Corn Puffs, Crisp Chocolate, Peanut Butter & Chocolate, and Strawberry & Chocolate, made with healthful elements and with out the yucky stuff like tapioca syrup or synthetic colours.
$30.15 for six bins
2. Cascadian Farm
Whereas this natural model is owned by Basic Mills, the producer of Cheerios, Cascadian Farm’s natural cereals are a horse of a special shade solely, they usually’re undoubtedly a more sensible choice than many different manufacturers. What’s extra, since they’re owned by an even bigger firm, they are usually pretty simple to seek out.
Cascadian Farm makes various complete grain cereals you possibly can be ok with feeding your youngsters, together with gluten-free Berry Vanilla Puffs that keep away from the technicolor hues of another youngsters’ cereal, and Cinnamon Crunch, Honey Nut O’s (the proper different to Honey Nut Cheerios), and Raisin Bran to rival even the preferred breakfast cereal manufacturers. In the event you suppose you’ll miss plain Cheerios, attempt their Purely O’s — we love that the primary ingredient is natural complete grain oats.
100% of this model’s cereal is USDA licensed natural, they usually’re given 100 factors (out of 100) on Cornucopia for his or her model’s GMO coverage.
As a lot as we love basic cereals like Fruit Loops (c’mon, I’m certain you keep in mind how good a bowl of these neon-fruit-rings had been on a Saturday morning), we don’t love all of the components. Comprised of complete grain yellow corn meal, Fruitful O’s hold breakfast enjoyable whereas ditching synthetic colours and flavors.
$3.79
3. Annie’s Homegrown
We’ve been long-time followers of Annie’s after falling in love with their scrumptious, natural mac and cheese merchandise. And, we’re joyful to announce that their packaged cereals stay as much as their tasty legacy!
Cocoa Bunnies are excellent for many who like a little bit of chocolate very first thing within the morning, and since they comprise 13 grams of complete grains and honest commerce cocoa, you possibly can be ok with serving them to your little ones.
Berry Bunnies’ enjoyable shapes and pure shade are rather more palatable than technicolor fruit cereals that you might have grown up with (critically, there’s no means one thing that brilliant could be good for you). Their scrumptious Cinnamon Roll Cereal is of course gluten-free, and, because it says on their field, made with goodness (which to us, means natural, non-GMO elements).
$4.99
Granolas and Clusters
4. Go Uncooked – Gluten Free Granola and Extra
Attempting to interrupt up with added sugar? Strive Go Uncooked. As its title suggests, is a uncooked meals firm providing bars, cookies, crisps, and a gluten-free granola in 4 flavors: Apple Cinnamon, Raisin Crunch, Tremendous Easy, and Coco Crunch. The usage of sprouted seeds provides a crunchy different to milled grain cereals.
“We wish to provide shoppers extra ‘free-from’ choices that don’t sacrifice on taste,” writes rep Lindsay Lea. “Our clients can really feel assured that they’re consuming a granola that isn’t full of junk simply to make it ‘style’ good.”
Their Licensed Gluten-Free, 0g-added sugar per serving, and nut-free apple cinnamon taste is sort of a blast of fall that you would be able to get pleasure from all yr spherical. The primary ingredient listed is dates (which is a significantly better possibility than brown rice syrup or cane sugar), giving it an unbeatable, naturally candy taste, and with simply 11 elements — it’s an entire meals breakfast you possibly can be ok with. Their gluten-free Coco Crunch is one other favourite.
With elements sourced domestically when potential to make sure adherence to strict natural tips and an open-door coverage when shoppers have questions on a selected ingredient, Go Uncooked provides transparency, assured high quality, and a scrumptious wholesome cereal.
$23.99 for a pack of three
5. Grandy Organics
Grandy Organics is a granola, path combine, and scorching cereal firm based on “hippie heritage” and friendship. The co-owners of the corporate started working collectively in April of 2000 after bonding over being the one two guys of their school class that drove VW buses.
Immediately, the parents behind Grandy Organics name themselves “actual granolas,” each for his or her actual meals cereal, made with out preservatives and refined added sugars (like cane sugar), and their “crunchy granola” mindset.
The corporate produces a variety of granolas and wholesome cereal choices, together with a grain-free granola made with natural nuts, offering wholesome fat, coconut flakes, and seeds that’s paleo-friendly, and ever since 2015, these merchandise have been made in a net-zero bakery — the primary within the nation — operated in a one hundred pc solar-powered facility, which is a big deal.
Regardless of their tremendous clear, “granola” rules, the founders nonetheless don’t wish to put down the competitors, even when their cereals and merchandise are much less healthful than Grandy Organics.
“We select to remain constructive and concentrate on our ethos,” says Chief Granola Officer Aaron Anker.” So just a few years in the past, we got here up with ‘Granola Wisdoms.’”
These embrace “You don’t should be associated to have a household enterprise,” and “Ripped denims are cool. Spliced genes usually are not.” They’re nice methods to make selecting wholesome cereal much more enjoyable.
Their Basic granola recipe, made with pumpkin seeds, walnuts, cashews, and calmly sweetened with wildflower honey, has been the identical recipe since 1979 (as a result of when one thing is that excellent, why trouble altering it?). And if you happen to’re involved concerning the sugar content material, Grandy Organics is a a lot more healthy model of the main granola with 50% much less sugar per serving.
However they don’t cease there, Grandy Organics provides a honey-nut granola with complete grains (significantly better than Honey Nut Cheerios), made with gluten free oats, in addition to a grain-free “coconola”, their coconut-based natural granola loaded with pecans, cashews, seeds, and coconut chips.
$21.84 for 3 12 oz luggage
6. Pure Bliss Organics
Jon Morgan and Antonio Da Costa first bought into the granola enterprise in 2005, and ever since, they’ve been making a wholesome cereal that jives with their love of individuals, Bhakti yoga, and the planet.
Pure Bliss produces natural granola (and scrumptious granola bars for on-the-go use) utilizing sustainable elements and high quality merchandise.
“From our distributors to our workers, together with our cooks who put together our merchandise, and to [the consumer] — every little thing we do is finished with good intention,” they are saying. “We use minimally processed licensed natural elements, with NO FUNNY STUFF added.”
Their granola choices embrace plant protein-packed cashew butter granola, 4 flavors sweetened with coconut sugar, and even gluten-free choices.
Their French Almond Vanilla taste, affectionately named “my fav,” packs a candy and wholesome punch within the morning. Made with easy, natural, non-GMO elements (elements you possibly can really pronounce, in contrast to lots of granolas in the marketplace), this granola pairs completely along with your morning espresso and a heaping spoonful of natural Greek yogurt (or simply pour milk proper on high, if that’s your factor)!
$24.97 for 3 11 oz luggage
Natural Sizzling Cereal and Oatmeal
7. Farm to Desk Meals
Farm to Desk is an natural oatmeal producer creating wholesome cereal blends that dispose of extreme processing and spotlight the pure goodness within the grains.
This firm’s story begins with a household: Martin Canellakis’ four-year-old daughter had develop into fairly choosy, as four-year-olds typically are, and, he recollects, “One of many few issues I may get her to eat was oatmeal.”
“I observed that it was very troublesome to get my palms on something however both common rolled oats or steel-cut oats, and if by likelihood there was a mix of grains obtainable, it was often a random mix without any consideration for taste or texture,” he says. “Additionally, since natural is the value of entry in our home, my choices had been much more restricted. So I began experimenting.”
Since he created these first wholesome cereal blends at residence, Farm to Desk has grown in leaps and bounds. Immediately, it sells a number of blends together with an historical grain mix of spelt, Kamut, barley, rye, and flax seeds, a few of that are served at Mercer Kitchen, Casa Lever, and even the Waldorf Astoria.
Whereas this firm has seen appreciable success, Canellakis does every little thing he can to maintain the small-batch feeling of the corporate in tact, and which means working carefully with farmers (and even profiling them on the corporate web site.)
“Guaranteeing high quality is all about beginning on the proper supply,” he says, and for Farm to Desk, that begins with the farmer.
“We solely take care of folks we all know and belief,” he says. “This has been a hindrance to our progress, however we’re additionally not so certain that greater is best.”
Farm to Desk’s Historical Tremendous Grain is critically one thing to put in writing residence about. Having roots in Mesopotamia, Historical Grain has by no means been hybridized or modified to adapt to fashionable agricultural strategies.
This nutritive grain is packed filled with complete meals elements like rolled oats with superb antioxidant properties, and with 6 grams of protein per serving and no added sugar, it’s the proper breakfast to maintain you full, sustained, and joyful all morning lengthy. Strive having it in a bowl with some maple syrup or, if you happen to’re seeking to elevate your breakfast recreation, in some baked berry oatmeal.
$23.74 for 3 14 oz luggage
8. Nice River Natural Milling, Multi-Grain Cereal
Nice River Natural Milling is, as its title suggests, a milling firm promoting flours (together with complete grain wheat flour), complete grains, pancake mixes, and a line of 4 scorching cereals, starting from the highland medley that includes complete grain oats, barley, and rice, to the multi-grain combine, a mix of wheat, brown rice, corn, rye, millet, and barley.
The corporate takes pleasure within the relationships that it has developed with its farmers, about 90 % of whom are based mostly within the northern plains of the USA.
“We attempt to work every time potential straight with the farmers,” explains rep Craig Adams. “We’re a small firm ourselves, so we actually wish to have these relationships and have the sort of provide chain that’s safe, and you may be on first-name phrases.”
As the corporate grows, it stays dedicated to sustaining these relationships and avoiding going by grain brokers in any respect prices. This ensures that the corporate can proceed to supply the sort of transparency it prides itself on.
Nice River is all the time keen to go the additional mile, whether or not which means certifying its natural corn with the non-GMO Challenge as nicely, or answering a buyer query about who farmed the rolled oats in her oatmeal.
“That’s how this enterprise was based in 1975, that’s the mannequin that they established then. And the proprietor that purchased this enterprise again in 2003 has continued with that ethos and ethics, in order that’s merely what we wish to proceed with,” explains Adams.
Whether or not topped with contemporary fruit, nuts, unsweetened almond milk (or milk of your selection), dried fruit or maple syrup, with 5 grams of protein per serving and completely no added sugar, this hearty scorching cereal is assured to maintain you satiated and feeling good till lunch.
You possibly can actually style the love and care that goes into making this breakfast, and the pleasure Nice River Natural Milling takes of their merchandise. This multigrain combine is all natural and all that you must begin your break day proper.
$36.64* 24 Oz (Pack Of 4)
Selecting a cereal from this checklist is unquestionably a great place to start out, nevertheless it’s not the one means to assist guarantee clear cereals earn extra shelf area.
In the USA, acceptable ranges of hint toxins and chemical compounds, together with glyphosate, are set by the EPA, with affect from various legislative our bodies, together with the U.S. Home Committee on Agriculture and the Senate Agriculture Committee.
Different congressional committees, such because the US Home Committee on Oversight and Authorities Reform and the U.S. Home of Representatives Committee on Science, Area and Expertise have lately begun analyzing a number of the extra high-profile parts of those choices inside the EPA.
Foyer teams such because the Glyphosate Activity Pressure, which unites Monsanto, Dow Agrosciences, Syngenta, and Barclay Chemical substances, the Large Meals Foyer, and commerce affiliation CropLife America put monumental strain on authorities our bodies to manage in favor of enormous agrochemical teams, thus making it much more troublesome to supply healthful meals for your loved ones.
To proceed the combat in opposition to Large Ag, you possibly can:
- Boycott manufacturers which are on the mistaken aspect of the foyer, corresponding to ConAgra, Kellogg’s, and Basic Mills, all of whom are related to Monsanto seeds. Use an app like Buycott to be sure to know what you’re shopping for.
- Learn labels, and be cautious of the time period “pure” on packaging. Kastel notes that one of many predominant targets of the cereal scorecard was “exposing the duplicity of some main ‘pure’ manufacturers that had been charging greater than some licensed natural cereal for what was, tantamount, the identical as typical merchandise.”
- Name your congressional consultant and allow them to know that this subject issues to you: we wish meals devoid of any pesticides, even “hint” quantities.
- Signal a petition to ban systemic pesticide use within the US.
- Keep knowledgeable! Examine in with us right here at Natural Authority or with different respected sources of knowledge, together with the Environmental Working Group, the Cornucopia Institute, and the Pesticide Motion Community for updates and information on the state of pesticides in American meals.
P.S. Do you know? Natural Authority has its personal diet and wellness store to satisfy your wants and make it easier to take management of your well being. Store clear dietary supplements for vitality, sleep, interior magnificence for pores and skin help, protein, exercises, pantry objects and extra. Store The Natural Authority Store now.
Associated on Natural Authority
U.S. Honey Tainted with Twice the Authorized E.U. Restrict for Glyphosate, FDA Paperwork Present
Breakfast with Monsanto: Glyphosate Present in Almost Half of Breakfast Meals, Examine Finds
EU Reapproves the Controversial Glyphosate Herbicide for the Subsequent 7 Years
*Our crew independently evaluates and critiques merchandise for the OA group. In the event you click on on the hyperlinks offered, we might obtain compensation which helps to maintain the lights on. Study extra.
Sources:
- https://www.well being.com/diet/pesticides-in-oatmeal#:~:textual content=Glyphosatepercent2Cpercent20anpercent20ingredientpercent20foundpercent20in,amountpercent20establishedpercent20bypercent20thepercent20EPA.
- https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/information/2023/04/going-going-gone-ewg-finds-glyphosate-levels-drop-oat-based-products
- https://www.ewg.org/analysis/ewg-investigation-dangerous-agricultural-chemical-chlormequat-found-popular-oat-based
- https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/information/2024/02/ewg-finds-little-known-toxic-chemical-four-out-five-people-tested
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5885279/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9571310/
