The Most Nostalgic Meal Of The Day

Breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, but lots of kids (and parents) were happy to opt for sugary and convenient cereals. After all, who can blame them when most of these cereals are absolutely incredible? With that in mind, here are some of the best and the worst cereals we can’t help but remember.

1. Raisin Bran Crunch

It’s clear to see why kids despise this cereal. The texture of grainy dryness paired with chewy raisins, which for the record, most kids don’t even like. It’s clearly marketed towards parents pushing for health, but is still loaded with way too much sugar.

2. Oreo O’s

Most people adore Oreos, so much so that the cookie is now a cake, an ice cream, and even a cereal. However, the cereal is sickly sweet and even had a vanilla glaze that is just way too much. Instead of tasting like Oreos, it just tastes like sugary dust.

3. Cap’n Crunch Crunch Berries

While some people adore Cap’n Crunch, the Crunch Berries variation is mostly disliked. This is because of the use of artificial berry flavor on top of already artificial corn puffs, which altogether has an overwhelmingly synthetic taste.

4. Honey Maid S’mores

While s’mores are a perfect campsite treat, they really don’t have a place in cereal. The marshmallow chunks come off a bit too hard, and the graham bits just make the cereal both bland and sticky. It really misses the mark as far as s’mores go.

5. Honey Smacks

Most honey fans know to go for Cheerios or Honey Bunches, but that didn’t stop Honey Smacks from trying their luck. The puffed wheat cereal is known to be sickeningly sweet, and even has a bizarre aftertaste that most dislike.

6. Corn Pops

While some people enjoy the simplicity of Corn Pops, they are clearly outdated. A product of the 90s, now they come across as bland and boring, and also leave a weird waxy aftertaste in your mouth.

7. Krave

This cereal was every parent’s worst nightmare, as it was essentially a chocolate pastry masquerading as a cereal. It was just far too indulgent, filled with what tasted like cheap fudge, and the texture got way too soggy fast.

8. Chips Ahoy

Similar to Oreos, Chips Ahoy also entered the cereal game offering essentially cookies in milk. Despite the novelty, it didn’t taste much like an actual cookie, and got far too crumbly when mixed with milk.

9. Cap’n Crunch

Cap’n Crunch is another iconic cereal, but unfortunately it is a product of its time. Now it’s more so a reference on the internet than an actual marketable product, mostly due to its outdated look and simple (but extremely sweet) flavor.

10. Franken Berry

While certain spooky cereals are incredible, Franken Berry always falls to the bottom of the list. Some people compare the flavor to Tums-like, and the retro Halloween appeal just doesn’t work today. Not to mention, it has barely any nutritional value.

Now that we have talked about cereals people despise, here are 10 still going strong!

1. Cinnamon Toast Crunch

One of the most popular cereals around, the unique flavor and simple branding makes this a cult classic. Blending cinnamon with sweetness, it’s essentially dessert for breakfast. Not to mention the leftover milk is considered a delicacy.

2. Frosted Flakes

Also on the simpler side, Frosted Flakes are considered a staple not just for their taste, but also for their mascot. The world still loves Tony the Tiger, with new generations catching on to trends and inside jokes.

3. Honey Nut Cheerios

For a simpler but honey-centric taste, this cereal almost looks healthy. It has a light honey-themed sweetness and while still sugary, is healthier than other brands, making it an easy pick for parents.

4. Rice Krispies

This is another mild cereal that simply feels nostalgic and comforting. Thanks to the popularity of their mascots, Snap, Crackle, and Pop, it’s clear to see why they’re so memorable. Not to mention, their association with Rice Krispies snacks and everyday baking certainly helps.

5. Fruity Pebbles

When it comes to cereals, there is certainly a war going on between Fruity Pebbles and Froot Loops. The Pebbles are like crunchy confetti, leveraging Flintstones branding to appeal to kids despite how sugary they can be.

6. Froot Loops

Meanwhile, Froot Loops also has popular mascots in the form of Toucan Sam, and offers smooth crunches and sweetness that retain their shape even in milk. Plus, the flavor is so nostalgic, you can probably taste it now as you think of it.

7. Lucky Charms

Lucky Charms broke the mold when they introduced marshmallows into cereals. While the cereal itself is a mild oat variant, the marshmallows come in all sorts of colors and shapes and are super appealing to creative kids.

8. Cocoa Pebbles

The cousin to Fruity Pebbles, these chocolate variants essentially turn milk into chocolate milk. It’s a rice-based cereal layered with that deep cocoa taste and was the go-to for many kids growing up.

9. Honey Bunches of Oats

Probably one of the healthier-looking cereals on this list, Honey Bunches offered granola clusters and crispy flakes, making parents feel guilt-free as they picked it up for their kids. Plus, they deliver on the promised crunch.

10. Apple Jacks

This more versatile flavor quickly got a cult following for its cool edge. After all, the mascots were CinnaMon and Bad Apple, and the flavor mix was actually pretty good and unique, and even worked as a great dry snack.