I love Peanut Butter Puffins… like, a lot. When it comes to taste, they’re probably my favorite kind of cereal. So, when I discovered how low they score on the NuVal scale (24), I was a bit bummed. How could my beloved Peanut Butter Puffins score so low? I thought they were good for me!?!
I decided to ask Rachel Rodek, NuVal’s Nutrition Communications Manager and Registered Dietitian, what’s the deal with the low score for Peanut Butter Puffins.
Here’s what she said:
“Although you’d think that because a cereal is ‘all natural’ or ‘organic’ it would score high, but it turns out this isn’t the case. It all comes down to what’s in it – and sometimes, what’s not in it. Let’s measure Barbara’s Puffins against another all-natural yet higher scoring cereal for an even comparison. Bear Naked All Natural Peanut Butter Granola scores a 45 – now, why is this higher than Barbara’s? First, it has much less sodium (15mg) whereas Barbara’s has 230mg, bringing the score down like a lead weight. Second, Bear Naked has more omega-3 fatty acids from canola oil, while Barbara’s primary fat source is peanut butter – no omega-3s to be found. So while Barbara’s doesn’t really have any ‘bad’ ingredients in it, it simply doesn’t have many of the ‘good’ ingredients.”
While my Peanut Butter Puffins aren’t necessarily a “bad” cereal option, they’re definitely not the most nutritious one out there. I still enjoy Peanut Butter Puffins, but I recently traded-up with Uncle Sam’s Original High Fiber & Flaxseed Cereal (NuVal score: 59) and Kashi 7 Whole Grain Cereal Puffs (Nuval score: 90). As you can see, they’re much more nutritious!
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What are the cinnamon Puffins? Just curious. I love cereal, I try to make healthy choices, but I don’t eat cereal for breakfast, only dessert. So I am ok splurging a little. I do love Puffins:)
What about the honey rice (gluten free) variety? Thanks!
I’m with Maria – I eat cereal for dessert =)
@Maria: @Sarah: Cinnamon Puffins and Original Puffins both score a 29 due to more fiber. The Honey Rice variety scores a 25 because they have less fiber. Hope this helps!
I think as long as you throw puffins on top of something higher scoring, it all works out
I think the cinnamon ones are better for you…
Thanks for this post – it’s important to point out that things that ’seem’ healthy, aren’t always healthy in the end.
Thanks for this information! It’s a good reminder that a food’s health profile is as much about what’s NOT in it as it is about what IS. Too often we focus on which foods/ingredients we should avoid, rather than emphasizing which ones we should be getting more of.
Wow I never would have thought puffins would be that low!
I do like to snack on the PEANUT BUTTER PUFFINS. I guess i’ll try the BEAR NAKED ALL NATURAL.. :-}
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