Cookie Crisp

by General Mills

Cookie Crisp is a heavily processed children's cereal that's essentially candy masquerading as breakfast. With sugar as the second ingredient and multiple sugar sources totaling over 9g per serving, it creates blood sugar spikes and promotes addiction-like eating patterns in children.

• whole grain corn – safe · Whole grain provides fiber and nutrients, though heavily processed into flour form loses much nutritional value.
• sugar – controversial · Second ingredient by weight, contributing to high sugar content that promotes blood sugar spikes and dental issues in children.
• corn meal – safe · Processed corn used as filler and texture agent, nutritionally inferior to whole corn.
• canola oil – controversial · Highly processed seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids that can promote inflammation when consumed regularly.
• yellow corn flour – safe · Refined corn flour used for texture and color, stripped of most nutrients during processing.
• cocoa processed with alkali – safe · Dutch-processed cocoa that's been alkalized, reducing natural antioxidants but creating milder flavor.
• corn syrup – controversial · Highly processed liquid sweetener that rapidly raises blood glucose and contributes to metabolic dysfunction.
• salt – safe · Added for flavor enhancement, amount is moderate and not concerning in this product.
• brown sugar syrup – controversial · Third sugar source in the product, adding to the high total sugar content and blood sugar impact.
• caramel color – controversial · Artificial coloring that may contain 4-methylimidazole, a potential carcinogen formed during manufacturing process.
• baking soda – safe · Sodium bicarbonate used as a leavening agent, completely safe in food applications.
• natural flavor – safe · Undefined flavoring compounds derived from natural sources, generally safe but lacks transparency.
• calcium carbonate – beneficial · Added calcium for bone health, especially important since many children don't get adequate calcium.
• tricalcium phosphate – safe · Additional calcium and phosphorus source, safe and contributes to bone health.
• zinc – beneficial · Essential mineral for immune function and growth, beneficial fortification especially for children.
• iron – beneficial · Critical mineral for preventing anemia, particularly important for growing children.
• vitamin c – beneficial · Antioxidant vitamin that supports immune function, beneficial addition to processed cereal.
• niacinamide – beneficial · Vitamin B3 essential for energy metabolism and nervous system function.
• vitamin b6 – beneficial · Important for brain development and function, particularly critical for children.
• riboflavin – beneficial · Vitamin B2 necessary for energy production and cellular function.
• thiamin mononitrate – beneficial · Vitamin B1 essential for nervous system function and energy metabolism.
• vitamin a palmitate – beneficial · Important for vision and immune function, beneficial fortification.
• folic acid – beneficial · B vitamin crucial for DNA synthesis and cell division, especially important for growing children.
• vitamin b12 – beneficial · Essential for nervous system function and red blood cell formation.
• vitamin d3 – beneficial · Critical for bone health and immune function, beneficial addition since many children are deficient.

Fortified with essential vitamins and minerals

Contains whole grain corn as primary ingredient

Provides some fiber content

Extremely high sugar content (9g per serving)

Contains inflammatory seed oils

Ultra-processed with artificial additives

Marketed to children as healthy breakfast

Multiple sugar sources create addiction-like response

May contain carcinogenic caramel color compounds