These cereals will keep you full and work to aid in your training and performance needs.
We all love cereal. Whether it be in the morning, a midday snack, or breakfast for dinner, cereal is that quick fix we all know and love. There are endless brands of cereal to choose from and we all know our favorites. The ones packed with sugar and the other added goodies really hit the spot, especially after a long day. But cereal can work against us when we start to abuse it and snack away to oblivion.
Finding the right cereal can be challenging, but since the market is so saturated, it means there is a good one out there for you. Looking at macronutrients in the cereals, such as protein, fat, and carbs, as well as the added ones like fiber and the amount of sugar are all of equal importance as you look to find a good cereal to help boost muscle growth and recovery, something we all strive for.
We’ve put together a list of the Best Cereals For Muscles, Gains, & Taste to help you find the best options for you. You won’t be disappointed by these results.
Best Cereal for Muscle & Taste Ranked
- Best Cereal Overall: Magic Spoon
- Best Cereal for Bodybuilding: Magic Spoon
- Best For Weight Loss: Kashi Go Lean
- Best High In Fiber: Kellogg’s All Bran
- Best Gluten Free: Arrowhead Mills Organic Maple Buckwheat
- Best For Men & Women In Fitness: Kellogg’s Special K Protein Plus
Cereal That is Best Overall
A good cereal will work to offer a great boost for your morning routine or whatever time of day you eat it. With protein and a good balance of macros, the ingredients should reflect your healthy lifestyle overall.
Magic Spoon
Magic Spoon is everything you want out of your cereal in terms of taste and texture. With 11g protein, this low carb cereal has 0g sugar to provide a healthy option.
First off our top choice overall is Magic Spoon. This is everything you want out of your fitness cereal as it tastes like all your favorites. Packed with 13g protein per serving, this cereal is perfect for breakfast or a post-workout meal. Having only 5g of net carbs, you also have 0g sugar per serving. This cereal conducive to virtually all diets. Being a gluten-free option with no added sugars, as well as being free from anything artificial, you know exactly what is in your cereal so as to not ruin a great product. A hit amongst athletes and critics alike, you can’t go wrong with Magic Spoon Cereal.
Pros
- Great ingredients with no artificial sweeteners, coloring, or preservatives
- Conducive to most diets with only 5g of net carbs
- Good amount of protein
- Tastes great with good reviews all around
Cons
- May not be enough protein for some (only 13 grams)
Price: $39.99 per case (4 boxes total)
Read our full review of Magic Spoon.
Cereal Best for Bodybuilding
Another thing to consider is for bodybuilding. Bodybuilders don’t always like to eat chicken and rice, sometimes they like to switch it up! As stated before, cereal can be great for pre or post workout fuel. So, as a bodybuilder what is the best cereal for bodybuilders?
Magic Spoon
Magic Spoon is everything you want out of your cereal in terms of taste and texture. With 11g protein, this low carb cereal has 0g sugar to provide a healthy option.
Making the list again, this time as the best bodybuilding cereal is Magic Spoon. Dieting as a bodybuilder is hard, and sometimes you get those cravings that you feel the absolute need to consume junk food or a cheat meal, but you know it can hinder your progress. Magic Spoon helps curb those cravings and satisfy your sweet tooth, all while having great macros that won’t ruin your bodybuilding progress.
It tastes like your favorites and is packed with 13g protein per serving, this cereal is perfect for breakfast, but can also be a snack or full on meal. It contains only 5g of net carbs, you also have 0g sugar per serving. This cereal conducive to virtually all diets, and can even be a great food to get through prep (if you can spare the macros). Magic Spoon is gluten-free with no added sugars, as well as being free from anything artificial, you know exactly what is in your cereal so as to not ruin a great product.
Pros
- Great ingredients with no artificial sweeteners, coloring, or preservatives
- Conducive to most diets with only 5g of net carbs
- Good amount of protein
- Tastes great with good reviews all around
Cons
- May not be enough protein for some (only 13 grams)
Price: $39.99 per case (4 boxes total)
Read our full review of Magic Spoon
Something Best For Weight Loss
Another cereal we checked out is for those looking to capitalize on weight loss. People in this category should look for a cereal that reflects that. With fiber and plenty of protein, this can limit snacking and work to keep you full for longer.
Kashi Go Lean
Kashi Go Lean is a whole grain and nutritious cereal where one serving gives you your daily amount of fiber. With 12g protein, this pairs well with yogurt, milk, or whatever you choose.
Kashi Go Lean is your go-to for a whole grain and nutritious option when it comes to a meal. First off, this cereal consists of a lightly sweetened vegetarian medley including crunchy fiber twigs, crispy soy protein grahams, and honey-toasted whole grain puffs.
Something else to look at is the serving size. One serving will give you all you need for your daily amount of fiber. It also is great for protein!
Another thing to consider is pairing this option to yogurt, milk, nuts, and fruit. With 12g protein and 2g fat, this is a great cereal to keep you full and offer great nutritional benefits to your lifestyle.
Pros
- High in protein and low in fat with great sources of fiber
- Good medley of options included with the cereal
- Pairs nicely with other things like yogurt and fruit
Cons
- May be slightly high in sugar
- Some may not like the texture or taste
Price: $28.99/ 6 boxes
Best High In Fiber
Next on the list, the cereal that is best for the fiber. Fiber is beyond important and should be a key factor in your cereal. Able to help with gut health and keep you full, you want a cereal to work for you always.
Kellogg’s All Bran
Kellogg's All Bran is a great cereal option to pair with fruit or whatever you choose to use. With 5g protein and 12g fiber, this will keep you full and is a great way to start the day.
When looking for a great cereal high in fiber, Kellogg’s All Bran is a stellar option. This cereal goes well with fruit and milk or breakfast or whenever you want a meal during the day and is great with a variety of recipes or pairings. Made with natural wheat bran fiber, you will benefit greatly with extra fiber especially when it comes to helping with digestion and balancing those cholesterol levels. With 12g fiber and 5g protein, this relatively low calorie cereal can work to pack that punch you need most.
Pros
- High in fiber to aid in digestion, level out cholesterol, and a host of other benefits
- Great for pairing with other things or good as a stand alone
Cons
- Could have more protein and a better balance of macronutrients
Price: $4.98/box
Best Gluten Free
Next on the list is for those looking for gluten-free options, they absolutely do exist. A solid helping of whole grains while still being gluten-free can help with digestion and still give you great benefits.
Arrowhead Mills Organic Maple Buckwheat
Arrowhead Mills Organic Maple Buckwheat is made with regionally-sourced buckwheat and sweetened with sugar and maple syrup for a great taste. For those looking for a great gluten-free option, this is right for you.
Arrowhead Mills Organic Maple Buckwheat is made with regionally-sourced buckwheat and sweetened with sugar and maple syrup. With 33g of whole grains per servings, this cereal is low in fat and gluten-free, making it great for everyone. Decently low in calories, the low fat content is a plus, although the carb total is high and the protein is also quite low. For those looking for a gluten-free option however, you can’t go wrong with a high quality cereal designed to do so.
Pros
- Gluten-free
- Low in fat is perfect for those looking for that
- 33g of whole grains is great per serving
Cons
- Could have more protein to balance out the high carb count
Price: $41.32/ 6 boxes
A Cereal That is Best For Men & Women In Fitness
Onto a category for men and women involved with fitness, it is important to find a cereal that works for your goals. Giving you fuel to power any workout, you deserve the best to boost performance.
Kellogg’s Special K Protein
Kellogg's Special K Protein is a great source of protein to help with growth and recovery. With 15g protein and 11 vitamins and minerals, all the essentials are covered with this cereal.
Kellogg’s Special K Protein is the perfect cereal for men and women involved with regular fitness, as it pumps you with great protein to help with growth and recovery, as well as satiety. It is also a wholesome wheat, soy, and rice cereal combined with a taste of honey that offers a sweet, crunchy, and delicious bite with every spoonful. Special K Protein Cereal is also good source of fiber, it contains 11 vitamins and minerals and is a low fat cereal for all to enjoy. Finally, it has 15g of protein, anyone active and involved with fitness will benefit greatly from this.
Pros
- High in protein and low in fat makes this a great option for those involved with fitness
- Good source of fiber and offers vitamins and minerals as well
- Great texture and taste
Cons
- May be too high in sugar
- Texture may bother some
Price: $4.98/box
Benefits Of Quality Cereal
Something else we are going to discuss the benefits of finding a good quality cereal. This can really work wonders for you as you seek to build muscle and maximize all areas of your diet to improve training and performance. Benefits of a good cereal include:
- Aid in muscle growth: One thing quality cereal can do is aid in muscle growth. With so many high in protein and balanced well with carbs and fat, you give your body the necessary tools to boost growth and size.
- Pump you with nutrients: Next, quality cereal can work to give your body the proper nutrients. This is including things like protein, carbs, fat, vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients (1).
- Keep you full: Third, quality cereal can keep you full. With the right balance of macronutrients, a good cereal can keep you full and work to improve all of those gains while helping to manage weight.
- Enhance recovery: Finally, cereal can enhance recovery. It may work to replenish glycogen stores after workouts and fuel your muscle cells to bounce back faster (2).
What To Look For In A Quality Cereal
While there are many aspects of a good cereal to look into, we wanted to share some essentials to help get you started.
Fiber: First off, plenty of fiber is important for it will help your body with digestion and work to reduce cholesterol levels.
Low sugar: Next, sugar is something we know you want to avoid and too much can have negative effects like weight gain and inflammation.
Protein: Another thing is making sure there is enough protein. This is vital for it will keep you full and work to aid in that growth and recovery you want most.
Things to add: Something else to look at is things to add. If you are the type of person that likes to add things like fruit or other foods to your cereal, make sure it is a good cereal to do so with.
Taste: Finally, you want your cereal to taste good! It is possible to find a great cereal without all the added sugar.
How We Decide
Finally, how do we decide what to look for in a good cereal? For starters, we know you take your diet and nutrition plan seriously and finding the right cereal for you can be a challenge. In this, we look at some of the best brands to give you the best chance at optimizing training, performance, and finally, your health.
First, we look at the ingredients, as well as the balance of macronutrients included. Finding great products that aren’t filled with junk is key. We’ve done our best to include that in this list.
Next, for those looking at affordable options, we also focus on price because that is important to you. Eating healthy can be expensive but it doesn’t have to be. We’ve done the research on the best cereals so you don’t have to.
| Category | Product | Price |
| Best Protein Cereal Overall | Magic Spoon | $39.99/4 boxes |
| Best Cereal for Bodybuilding | Magic Spoon | $39.99/4 boxes |
| Best Cereal for Weight Loss | Kaishi Go Lean | $28.99/ 6 boxes |
| Best High in Fiber Option | Kellogg’s All Bran | $4.98/box |
| Best Gluten Free Cereal | Arrowhead Mills Organic Maple Buckwheat | $41.32/ 6 boxes |
| Best Option for Men and Women in Fitness | Kellogg’s Special K Protein Plus | $4.98/box |
FAQ Section
What is the best cereal for those involved in fitness?
Magic Spoon. This is everything you want out of your fitness cereal as it looks and tastes like all your favorites. It is packed with 12g protein per serving. This is perfect of breakfast or a post-workout meal. Again, it is only 5g of net carbs, and you have 0g sugar per serving. You can’t go wrong with this choice.
How do I choose the best cereal?
Another question you may have could be about choosing the best cereal. This can be hard, but not impossible. First, look for the amount of protein and fiber, as well as if there are any added sugars or other artificial nonsense you just don’t need. Also, definitely consider taste. Taste is big because you want to enjoy it!
What should I look for on the nutrition label?
Something else you may be wondering about is the nutrition label. This is important because you deserve to know what is in you are eating. Look for the balance of macronutrients and make sure there is enough protein. The amount of sugar is also important as is the amount of fiber. For those watching their weight, make sure the calorie count is low as well.
Wrap Up
Overall, cereal can work for our benefit in a number of ways. For those of us bodybuilders and fitness folks, finding a good one can work to boost our muscle growth and recovery. First off, cereal can give a great meal or snack as we progress with all our gains.
Something else to consider is a healthy balance of macronutrients mixed with something high in fiber and low in sugar can really work for our benefit as we seek the best out of our diet and nutrition goals.
Check out our list of the Best Cereals and see what these can do for you and your fitness goals.
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References
- Fayet-Moore, Flavia; McConnell, Andrew; Tuck, Kate; Petocz (2017). “Breakfast and Breakfast Cereal Choice and Its Impact on Nutrient and Sugar Intakes and Anthropometric Measures among a Nationally Representative Sample of Australian Children and Adolescents”. (source)
- Is cereal a healthy breakfast choice? Is Cereal Healthy? | Houston Methodist On Health. (n.d.). Retrieved November 1, 2022, from (source)
- Kammer, Lynne; Ding, Zhenping; Wang, Bei; Hara, Daiske; et al. (2009). “Cereal and nonfat milk support muscle recovery following exercise”. (source)
