Honey Nut Chex is a popular cereal made by General Mills. It consists of toasted whole grain wheat and corn squares coated with a honey and almond flavoring. The combination of crunchy cereal pieces and sweet honey taste makes it a beloved breakfast choice for both kids and adults.
Ingredients List
The main ingredients in Honey Nut Chex are:
- Whole grain wheat
- Whole grain corn
- Sugar
- Brown sugar
- Honey
- Salt
- Malt flavoring
- BHT for freshness
It also contains smaller amounts of other ingredients such as wheat bran, corn bran, molasses, soy lecithin, and various natural and artificial flavors. The specific nutrition and ingredient information can be found on the side panel of the cereal box.
Whole Grains
The main ingredient in Honey Nut Chex is whole grain wheat and whole grain corn. Whole grains contain the entire grain kernel ― the bran, germ, and endosperm. This provides more nutrients like fiber, iron, magnesium, vitamin B, and phytonutrients than refined grains which have the bran and germ removed.
The whole grain wheat and corn make up about 90% of the cereal’s weight. They give the cereal its crunchy texture and grainy flavor. The whole grains also make Honey Nut Chex a high fiber cereal. A 1 cup serving contains 3 grams of fiber, which is 11% of the daily value.
Sugars
Honey Nut Chex contains two main sweetening agents ― sugar and brown sugar. Sugar is the 2nd highest ingredient on the list. Table sugar adds sweetness and enhances the honey flavor. Brown sugar also provides a sweet taste along with subtle molasses notes.
In addition to white and brown sugar, Honey Nut Chex gets flavor from honey. Honey gives the cereal its signature golden color and mild floral honey taste. These sugars together contribute to the cereal’s mildly sweet flavor that balances against the hearty whole grain taste.
Salt
Salt may seem like a surprising ingredient in sweet breakfast cereal. But it serves an important purpose. Salt enhances flavor and balances out the sweetness. The touch of salt intensifies the toasted nutty flavor of the wheat and corn.
Salt also amplifies the sweet taste of the sugars and honey. It helps all the flavors pop so they are not one-dimensional. The salt rounds out the overall flavor profile.
Natural and Artificial Flavors
Honey Nut Chex includes both natural and artificial flavors to help create its signature taste.
The natural flavors provide real honey taste along with floral, fruity, and cinnamon notes. They are extracted from edible plants, spices, fruits, vegetables, roots, and other natural food sources.
The artificial flavors enhance the sweet honey aroma and taste. They are formulated in labs from chemical compounds. Artificial flavors are used in very small amounts to boost the natural flavors.
Together, the natural and artificial honey flavors help give Honey Nut Chex its distinctive honey nut cereal flavor.
BHT Preservative
BHT, or butylated hydroxytoluene, is an antioxidant preservative used to maintain freshness. It prevents the oils in the cereal from becoming rancid and developing an off taste.
BHT keeps the cereal tasting fresh for months after the box is opened. Without BHT or a similar preservative, the cereal would quickly become stale and take on undesirable flavors.
Some consumers have concerns about BHT since it is an artificial preservative. But it is approved for use in foods and extensively tested for safety.
Vitamins and Minerals
In addition to the main ingredients, Honey Nut Chex is enriched and fortified with vitamins and minerals. These include:
- Vitamin C – Provides immune support
- Vitamin B6 – Supports metabolism
- Vitamin B12 – Needed for healthy blood cells
- Vitamin D – For strong bones
- Thiamin – Converts food into energy
- Riboflavin – Supports growth and body functions
- Niacin – Metabolizes carbs, fats, and proteins
- Folate – Needed for new cell production
- Iron – Transports oxygen in the blood
- Zinc – Boosts immune function
These added vitamins and minerals increase the nutritional value of the cereal. They help make up for any nutrients lost during processing and provide extra nourishment.
Full Ingredients List
Here is the complete listed ingredients for Honey Nut Chex cereal:
Whole grain wheat, whole grain corn, sugar, brown sugar, honey, salt, malt flavoring (contains barley), BHT for freshness, vitamin C (sodium ascorbate and ascorbic acid), reduced iron, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B1 (thiamin hydrochloride), vitamin A (palmitate), vitamin D, vitamin B12, folic acid.
Contains wheat and soy ingredients.
Nutrition Facts
Here are the nutrition facts for a 1 cup (28g) serving of Honey Nut Chex:
| Amount | Daily Value |
|---|---|
| Calories | 110 |
| Total Fat | 1g |
| Saturated Fat 0g | 0% |
| Trans Fat 0g | – |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 190mg | 8% |
| Total Carbohydrate 24g | 9% |
| Dietary Fiber 3g | 11% |
| Total Sugars 9g | – |
| Protein 2g | |
| Vitamin D 25% | – |
| Calcium 0% | – |
| Iron 8% | – |
| Potassium 0% | – |
Micronutrients
Some of the key vitamins and minerals in a serving of Honey Nut Chex include:
- 25% DV vitamin D – Promotes bone health
- 11% DV fiber – Improves digestion
- 8% DV iron – Oxygenates blood
- 8% DV sodium – Regulates fluid balance
It also contains around 9% DV carbohydrates for energy. Plus 2 grams of protein per serving.
Macronutrients
The macronutrient breakdown per serving is:
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 9g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 1g
This shows the cereal provides mostly carbohydrates for energy, plus some fiber, sugar, protein and fat.
Calories
A 1 cup serving of Honey Nut Chex contains around 110 calories. This makes it a low-calorie breakfast or snack option.
The calorie count comes mostly from the carbohydrates and sugar. Fiber and protein contribute only minimal calories.
For kids ages 4-8, Honey Nut Chex provides about 5% of daily calorie needs per serving. For adults, it provides 5-6% of the recommended 2000 daily calories.
Sugar Content
Honey Nut Chex contains 9g total sugars per serving. This sugar content includes:
- 5g Added Sugars
- 4g Natural Sugars from honey and molasses
The added sugars make up 42% of the total sugars.
9g of sugar is considered low compared to many breakfast cereals. But health experts recommend limiting added sugars to 25g or less per day.
Parents can reduce kids’ sugar intake by combining Honey Nut Chex with fresh fruit or serving it plain instead of with honey.
Allergy Information
Honey Nut Chex contains wheat, corn and soy-based ingredients. So it is not suitable for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
It is processed in facilities that handle milk ingredients. So there is a small chance of dairy cross-contamination.
Those with corn allergies should also avoid this cereal due to the corn content.
Overall, Honey Nut Chex is not the best choice for those with food allergies. Check the label carefully if food allergies are a concern.
Cereal Ratings
Honey Nut Chex scores a 73 out of 100 on the Cereal Scorecard by Environmental Working Group. This indicates it has lower amounts of sugars and artificial ingredients than many leading cereals.
It gets an average Health Star Rating of 3 out of 5 stars. This reflect is its better-for-you nutrition profile compared to other sugary kids’ cereals.
How to Enjoy
There are many tasty ways to enjoy your bowl of Honey Nut Chex:
- With milk – cold, warm, skim, dairy, etc.
- With yogurt – vanilla, berry, or plain
- As cereal bars or trail mix
- In parfaits with fruit and granola
- As a crispy cereal coating for chicken, fish, etc.
- Stirred into cookie or muffin batters
- As croutons in soups and salads
- In creative snack mixes with nuts, seeds, pretzels, etc.
Kids will love the sweet honey-almond taste of Honey Nut Chex. And parents can feel good about the whole grain nutrition it provides to start the day right.
Buying Tips
When purchasing Honey Nut Chex cereal, here are some useful tips:
- Compare prices between sizes to find the best deal
- Look on upper and lower shelves for better deals
- Check the expiration or best-by date
- Inspect the box for damage
- Buy extra boxes when on sale or with coupons
- Make sure the seal is intact
- Store in a cool, dry pantry
- Keep well-sealed after opening to stay fresh
Buying in bulk or on sale and proper storage can help you save money on this popular cereal.
Generic and Store Brands
Generic and store brands provide a cheaper alternative to name brand Honey Nut Chex. Options include:
- Honey Nut Toasted Oats (Aldi)
- Honey Nut Os (Walmart)
- Toasted Honey Nut Scoops (Target)
- Nature’s Nuts & Honey Crunch (Costco)
The store brand cereals have similar crunchy texture and sweet honey almond taste. But flavor and quality may vary compared to the original.
FAQs
Is Honey Nut Chex gluten free?
No, Honey Nut Chex contains wheat and barley so it is not gluten free.
Is Honey Nut Chex vegan?
No, Honey Nut Chex contains vitamin D3 which is derived from wool, so it is not considered vegan.
Is there real honey in Honey Nut Chex?
Yes, the third ingredient listed is honey, so there is real honey in Honey Nut Chex.
Is Honey Nut Chex healthy?
Compared to many kids’ cereals, Honey Nut Chex can be a healthier option due to its whole grain content, fiber, and lower sugar.
The Bottom Line
Honey Nut Chex is a sweetened whole grain cereal made from corn and wheat. Its signature taste comes from honey, brown sugar and natural flavors. While not the most nutritious choice, it delivers more fiber and less sugar than many leading brands. Overall, Honey Nut Chex can provide a tasty way to get whole grains in your diet when consumed in moderation.