Corn Flakes — TREAT

Munch or Dump rates Corn Flakes by Kellogg's TREAT — score 45/90.

Refined corn with sugar as the second ingredient, then fortified with vitamins to patch what milling stripped out. Simple list, but it's essentially sweetened refined starch that spikes your blood sugar.

Why this verdict

• Sugar is the #2 ingredient, right behind the corn
• Refined, de-germed corn spikes blood sugar with little fiber
• Nutrition comes from added synthetic vitamins, not the food itself
• Simple, additive-free list keeps it out of engineered territory

Ingredients (5)

• Corn (moderate) — Refined milled corn base; fried, so it becomes a fast-digesting starch with little fiber left.
• Sugar (concerning) — Added sugar, third by weight, feeds yeast and adds sweetness with no nutritional benefit.
• Barley malt flavor (safe) — Natural flavoring from malted barley for that toasty taste; harmless but contains gluten.
• Salt (moderate) — Added for taste and mild preservation. Fine in small amounts but adds to daily sodium.
• Added vitamins and minerals (B3, B6, B2, B1, B9, D, B12, iron) (safe) — Synthetic fortification added back to replace nutrients lost in refining; useful but a sign of a stripped-down base grain.

Healthier alternatives

• Cascadian Farm Organic Blueberry Almond Crunch Cereal
• Grape-Nuts Cereal
• Mesa Sunrise Gluten Free Cereal Flakes