Great Grains Raisins, Dates & Pecans Cereal — ENGINEERED

Munch or Dump rates Great Grains Raisins, Dates & Pecans Cereal by Post ENGINEERED — score 31/90.

Real whole grains and fruit up front, but three separate sugar sources stacked in plus BHT preservative tip it into engineered territory.

Why this verdict

• Three separate added sweeteners: cane sugar (#3 ingredient), rice syrup, and molasses
• Raisins and dates pile on more concentrated sugar beyond the added sugar
• BHT synthetic preservative, restricted in the EU/Japan, added to extend shelf life
• Whole grain wheat is real, but the sugar stacking dominates the formula
• Refined wheat flour and rice flour dilute the whole-grain story

Ingredients (17)

• Whole Grain Wheat (safe) — Genuine whole grain; source of fiber and the reason this beats most frosted cereals.
• raisins (safe) — Dried grapes; naturally sweet, no added sugar in the raisin itself.
• Cane Sugar (moderate) — Added sugar in the breadcrumb — one of two distinct sweeteners in the list.
• Whole grain rolled oats (safe) — Genuine whole grain and the one wholesome anchor of the list.
• Dates (safe) — Whole dried fruit — the binder and sole sugar source, bringing fiber and potassium along with the sweetness.
• wheat flour (moderate) — Thickening agent, not harmful but adds processing.
• Malted Barley Flour (safe) — Traditional dough conditioner; contains gluten.
• rice flour (moderate) — Refined starch that completes the fast-carb triad.
• pecans (safe) — Antioxidant-rich, high in monounsaturated fat.
• expeller pressed canola oil (moderate) — Refined oil contributing additional fat and calories.
• Salt (moderate) — Used in moderation, might exceed necessary amount.
• rice syrup (caution) — Refined high-glycemic glucose syrup, third sweetener.
• molasses (moderate) — A second sweetener for color and flavor. Minor, but it stacks on top of the sugar.
• BHT (caution) — Synthetic antioxidant preservative added to protect freshness; a processing-signal additive.
• reduced iron (safe) — Standard fortification iron.
• folic acid (safe) — Added folate.
• vitamin D3 (safe) — Routine fortification that aids calcium absorption. Beneficial, not a red flag.

Healthier alternatives

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