11+ Best Low Calorie Cereals for 2024 (+ Recipe!) (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

This low calorie cereal clocks in at under 100 calories per serving and is VERY low in fat. Perfect on its own or combined with yogurt or oatmeal, we’ve also included a guide to the BEST low calorie cereals for 2024.

11+ Best Low Calorie Cereals for 2024 (+ Recipe!) (1)

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and for good reason.

I’ve never been someone who skips breakfast, regardless of what diet I follow. Since starting a lower-calorie diet, some of my meals have changed, but I’ve still been enjoying cereal and other low calorie favorites (like low calorie cookies and low calorie banana bread) on a regular basis.

Table of Contents
  1. Can you eat cereal on a low calorie diet?
  2. What cereal is best for weight loss?
  3. How do you make low calorie cereal?
  4. Storing and freezing instructions
  5. Lowest calorie cereals (Tried and tested!)
  6. More cereal recipes to try
  7. Frequently Asked Questions
  8. Low Calorie Cereal (100 calories) (Recipe Card)

Can you eat cereal on a low calorie diet?

Cereal is a fantastic food to include on a low calorie diet, provided you choose ones that are not calorie dense. Many flavored cereals contain loads of sugar and unhealthy fats, especially granolas and muesli.

Luckily, there are plenty of low calorie options.

What cereal is best for weight loss?

Any cereal that has a good mix of protein and fiber is guaranteed to keep you satisfied and energised. I love making my own because I can control the ingredients and adjust the sweetness level.

Why this is the best low calorie cereal-

  • No artificial ingredients. This cereal only uses wholesome and healthy ingredients that you probably have in your pantry right now.
  • Ready in 30 minutes. All you do is mix everything together then bake it and Voila- you are done!
  • Makes loads of cereal! This is not a small batch recipe AND you can double or triple the ingredients to have breakfast cereal that lasts for months!
  • No refined sugar or wheat. This cereal is 100% naturally sweetened, only using a dash of maple syrup. It also has no wheat or wheat based flour.

Thetexture is crispy, crunchy, and with small clusters throughout.The cereal is pleasantly sweet and with a subtle maple flavor, and easily customizable!

How do you make low calorie cereal?

The Ingredients

  • Rolled oats- old fashioned oats. If you’d like this cereal to be gluten free, be sure to use certified gluten free rolled oats.
  • Oat flour-Avoid buying expensive pre-made ones and simplymake your own!
  • Cinnamon- Just a pinch to give some lovely cinnamon flavor throughout.
  • Shredded coconut-Reduced fat and unsweetened shredded coconut. Use finely shredded coconut if you’d like chunkier granola.
  • Granulated sweetener of choice- I used a brown sugar substitute, but any sweetener works.
  • Coconut oil- Refined coconut oil that has been melted.
  • Maple syrup- Holds the granola together and adds extra sweetness. To cut the sugar, try a sugar free maple syrup.
  • Mix ins- optional, but add dried fruits, nuts, chocolate, etc. This can be added after the granola has been baked.

The Instructions

Start by adding the dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Next, add the coconut oil and maple syrup and mix very well, until combined.

Transfer the mixture onto a lined baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, removing the pan halfway through and mixing it around so the middle part cooks evenly. Remove the granola from the oven.

Now, let the cereal cool completely. Once cooled, break it apart. If adding mix-ins, stir them through at the end.

11+ Best Low Calorie Cereals for 2024 (+ Recipe!) (2)

Storing and freezing instructions

  • To store: Low calorie granola should be stored at room temperature, in a sealed container. Granola will keep well for up to 4 weeks.
  • To freeze: Place the cereal in a ziplock bag and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Lowest calorie cereals (Tried and tested!)

Here are the 11 best cereals that are both lowest in calories and easy to find at grocery stores and health food shops. They range from 90 to 150 calories per serving, and most have virtually no added sugar. They are also fortified with plenty of nutrients and fiber.

Enjoy a bowl with some skim milk and pair it with some peanut butter toast for a filling and nutritious breakfast.

11+ Best Low Calorie Cereals for 2024 (+ Recipe!) (3)

Cheerios:90 calories per cup serving. 3 grams fiber, 1 gram sugar, 2 grams protein.

Bran flakes:100 calories per cup serving. 4 grams fiber, 2 grams sugar, 1 gram protein.

Rice Chex:110 calories per cup serving. 1 gram fiber, 1 gram sugar, 1 gram protein.

Fiber one:90 calories per 3/4 cup serving. 18 grams fiber, 0 grams sugar, 3 grams protein.

Forager grain free cereal:110 calories per cup, 4 grams fiber, 4 grams sugar, 4 grams protein.

Barbara’s original puffins:90 calories per 3/4 cup serving. 5 grams of fiber, 5 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.

Nature’s path flax plus flakes:150 calories per 3/4 cup serving, 7 grams fiber, 5 grams sugar, and 5 grams protein.

One degree sprouted O’s:110 calories per 3/4 cup serving, 3 grams fiber, 2 grams sugar, 2 grams protein.

More cereal recipes to try

  • Protein granola
  • Healthy granola
  • Protein cereal
  • Keto cereal
  • Keto granola
11+ Best Low Calorie Cereals for 2024 (+ Recipe!) (4)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the lowest calorie cereal?

The lowest calorie cereal is fiber one original cereal. It contains just 60 calories per half cup and over 12 grams of fiber. Pair it with one cup of non-fat Greek yogurt and a tablespoon of peanut butter for a healthy breakfast under 300 calories.

Is low calorie cereal healthy?

Not necessarily. Just because a cereal is low in calories does NOT mean it is healthy. Many of the lower calorie options use artificial sweeteners and fillers to compensate. Refer to the list above for the best options.

Is cornflakes healthy for weight loss?

Kellogg’s cornflakes provide around 100 calories per one cup serving. It’s void of any fiber or protein, so pair it with some wholewheat toast and nut butter for a balanced meal.

11+ Best Low Calorie Cereals for 2024 (+ Recipe!) (5)

Low Calorie Cereal (100 calories)

5 from 35 votes

This low calorie cereal clocks in at under 100 calories per serving and is VERY low in fat. Perfect on its own or combined with yogurt or oatmeal, we've also included a guide to the BEST low calorie cereals for 2022.

Servings: 16 servings

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 30 minutes mins

Total: 35 minutes mins

Rate This Recipe

Print

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup oat flour
  • 1/2 cup reduced fat shredded coconut
  • 3 tablespoon granulated sweetener of choice
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 4 tablespoon coconut oil melted
  • 6 tablespoon maple syrup

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line a large baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine your dry ingredients and mix well, until combined. Add the wet ingredients and mix well, until completely combined.

  • Transfer the cereal mixture onto the lined baking dish and bake for 30 minutes, mixing and stirring halfway through.

  • Remove the cereal from the oven and let it cool completely, before breaking it apart.

Notes

TO STORE: Low calorie granola should be stored at room temperature, in a sealed container. Granola will keep well for up to 4 weeks.

TO FREEZE: Place the granola in a ziplock bag and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 98kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSodium: 3mgPotassium: 93mgFiber: 2gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 1mgNET CARBS: 14g

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Author: Arman Liew

Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

11+ Best Low Calorie Cereals for 2024 (+ Recipe!) (2024)

FAQs

What cereal can I eat on Weight Watchers? ›

Seek out whole grain wheat cereal, whole grain oats, or steel cut oats. Top with fruit such as blueberries, bananas, or fresh dates (all of which have zero SmartPoints values) and you'll be feeling full all morning.

What is the number 1 unhealthiest cereal? ›

12 Unhealthiest Cereals — Ranked by Sugar Content
  • honey smacks cereal.
  • kelloggs smart start breakfast cereal.
  • Fruity Pebbles.
  • honey ohs! cereal.
  • Kelloggs raisin bran crunch.
  • Golden Crisp Cereal.
  • Malt-O-Meal Golden Puffs.
  • Chocolate Marshmallow Mateys.

Is Special K good for weight loss? ›

If you're looking to drop a few pounds fast, the Special K diet may help you achieve quick results. But, it's not the best option if you're looking for a diet to follow for longer than two weeks. By jump-starting your weight loss, the Special K diet can motivate you to keep shedding pounds.

Are Cheerios OK for weight loss? ›

Eating Cheerios alone may not be a comprehensive or sustainable weight loss strategy, but they can be part of a balanced diet and a healthy approach to weight management. Here are some tips to consider if you want to incorporate Cheerios into your weight loss plan: Portion control: Be mindful of your portion sizes.

Which cereal is good for flat tummy? ›

7 of the Best Cereals for Weight Loss
  • Shredded Wheat (Post) ...
  • Bran Flakes (Post) ...
  • Grape-Nuts Original (Post) ...
  • Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Crunchy Cereal (Food for Life) ...
  • Uncle Sam Original (Attune Foods) ...
  • Flax Plus Multibran Flakes (Nature's Path Foods) ...
  • Kashi 7 Whole Grain Nuggets Cereal (Kashi Company)

Can I eat cereal if I'm trying to lose weight? ›

As any dietitian will tell you, if you cut enough calories, virtually any diet can lead to weight loss — at least in the short-term. And by eating a low-calorie bowl of cereal such as Special K, plain Corn Flakes, Shredded Wheat, plain Cheerios, or Rice Krispies, you most likely will lose weight.

What is the healthiest cereal in the grocery store? ›

All of the best healthy cereals listed below are low in sugar, but cereals with no sugar include plain oatmeal / rolled oats, One Degree Foods Organic Sprouted O's, Three Wishes Grain-Free Unsweetened Cereal, Nature's Path Organic Puffed Kamut, and Uncle Sam Toasted Whole Wheat Berry Flakes & Flaxseed.

What is the lowest calorie cereal on the market? ›

Along with General Mills Original Cheerios, Kellogg's Corn Flakes is the lowest calorie cereal per cup on this list. One cup contains 100 calories and zero fat and cholesterol. That same serving also contains 1 gram of fiber, 2 grams of protein and 3 grams of sugar.

Is Special K cereal good for you? ›

Kellogg's Special K Protein is one of the cereals that patients ask about when looking for healthy options. Although this cereal is higher in protein than the average cereal, which is good to help maintain body mass, it is still fairly high in carbohydrates.

What is the lowest fat and sugar cereal? ›

Shredded whole wheat cereal

Shredded whole wheat cereal with low-fat milk is the best choice of conventional breakfast cereals, because it doesn't contain any added sugar or salt, and is high in fibre.

What cereal has the lowest WW points? ›

The lowest point cereal on weight watchers is Puffed Wheat– Only 1 point per cup, making it one of the best cereal on weight watchers plan.

What popcorn can you eat on Weight Watchers? ›

Ready for some really good news? Air-fried popcorn is zero points in Weight Watchers! To really enjoy this favorite WW snack, make sure you aren't adding any butter, oil, or sugar to the mix. Instead, you can use herbs and spices of your choice to add some flavor, and just make sure to watch the portions.

Which cereal has the least amount of calories? ›

Along with General Mills Original Cheerios, Kellogg's Corn Flakes is the lowest calorie cereal per cup on this list. One cup contains 100 calories and zero fat and cholesterol. That same serving also contains 1 gram of fiber, 2 grams of protein and 3 grams of sugar.

What cereal can I eat on a calorie deficit? ›

7 of the Best Cereals for Weight Loss
  • Shredded Wheat (Post) ...
  • Bran Flakes (Post) ...
  • Grape-Nuts Original (Post) ...
  • Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Crunchy Cereal (Food for Life) ...
  • Uncle Sam Original (Attune Foods) ...
  • Flax Plus Multibran Flakes (Nature's Path Foods) ...
  • Kashi 7 Whole Grain Nuggets Cereal (Kashi Company)

What cereals have the least amount of sugar? ›

Here are a few cereals that are lower in sugar to keep an eye out for on your next grocery shop:
  • Multi Grain Cheerios (8g sugar)
  • Original Cheerios (2g sugar)
  • Kix (4g sugar)
  • Rice Chex (3g sugar)
  • Kashi Whole Wheat Biscuits, Autumn Wheat (7g sugar)
  • Nature's Path Heritage Flakes (5g sugar)
Feb 23, 2023

Is Special K cereal low calorie? ›

Special K products are all low in fat and calories. It's also easy to follow. Like a meal replacement diet plan, the Special K Challenge eliminates the guesswork for all snacks and most meals. The freedom to self-select a third meal makes the Challenge more acceptable to most dieters.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Nicola Considine CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 6013

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (49 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nicola Considine CPA

Birthday: 1993-02-26

Address: 3809 Clinton Inlet, East Aleisha, UT 46318-2392

Phone: +2681424145499

Job: Government Technician

Hobby: Calligraphy, Lego building, Worldbuilding, Shooting, Bird watching, Shopping, Cooking

Introduction: My name is Nicola Considine CPA, I am a determined, witty, powerful, brainy, open, smiling, proud person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.