Why is Crunchy Cinnamon Squares Cereal classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The cereal combines refined whole‑wheat flour, rice flour, added sugars (cane sugar and fructose), and a vitamin‑mineral blend, which are hallmarks of ultra‑processed foods; the only listed additive is trisodium phosphate (E339), used as an acidity regulator, along with calcium carbonate as a mineral source.

How does the high sugar and salt content in this cereal affect people with diabetes or hypertension?

With 30 g of sugars per 100 g, the cereal can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes, making it unsuitable for strict diabetic control, while its 1.6 g of salt per 100 g contributes to sodium intake that may raise blood pressure, posing a concern for those managing hypertension.

Is Crunchy Cinnamon Squares Cereal suitable for gluten‑free, vegan, or keto diets?

No, the product contains gluten from whole‑wheat flour, so it is not gluten‑free; although most ingredients are plant‑based, the vitamin‑D3 (cholecalciferol) may be animal‑derived, making its vegan status uncertain, and its high carbohydrate (30 g sugars) and moderate fat content render it unsuitable for keto diets.

Trader Joe's • 12.2 Oz

Crunchy Cinnamon Squares Cereal

Cereals And Potatoes

Product Insights

Crunchy Cinnamon Squares Cereal from Trader Joe's is a whole‑grain wheat and rice square dusted with cinnamon and sugar, marketed as a breakfast cereal. It belongs to the cereals and potatoes group, carries a Nutri‑Score of D and is classified as NOVA 4 ultra‑processed, delivering 30 g of sugars, 8.8 g of fat and 1.6 g of salt per 100 g, which places its sugar content well above the average for breakfast cereals. The product contains gluten, added sugars, and the additive trisodium phosphate (E339), along with a vitamin‑mineral premix, factors that contribute to its lower nutritional rating.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

high

Salt

high

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal400 kcal

Iron20 mg

Zinc16 mg

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the typical breakfast‑cereal profile (average 14.1 g sugars, 9.0 g fat and 1.8 g salt per 100 g), this cereal supplies roughly double the sugar while its fat and salt levels are close to the sector averages.

Ingredients

WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR, CANE SUGAR, RICE BRAN OIL. FRUCTOSE, RICE FLOUR, SALT, CINNAMON, CALCIUM CARBONATE, SUNFLOWER LECITHIN POWDER, VITAMIN AND MINERAL BLEND (SODIUM ASCORBATE, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, NIACIN, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE, CHOLECALCIFEROL [VITAMIN D3], RIBOFLAVIN [VITAMIN B2], FOLIC ACID, TRISODIUM PHOSPHATE, FERROUS FUMARATE, ZINC OXIDE, VITAMIN B12 [CYANOCOBALAMIN])

84%

35%

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