Many of us grew up eating Weetabix. Unlike the "nice" breakfast cereals full of chocolate and sugar, Weetabix always seemed reassuringly bland. Marketed as "good food you can trust", it certainly looks and tastes that wayhealthy has to be good to you?
But the recent focus on ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has raised questions about how healthy Weetabix really is. After all, it's difficult - but not impossible - to make your own wheat biscuits at home, as they're (minimally) processed foods.
To make matters even more complicated, you can now choose from a variety of Weetabix varieties, designed to suit all tastes and dietary preferences, from high-protein, organic recipes to crunchy flakes, minis with added fruit and nuts, and even chocolate-flavoured biscuits. The one thing they all have in common is that they tend to turn to cement if you forget to rinse your bowl. This is due to their high starch content, which causes Weetabix to turn into a sticky paste when mixed with water, similar to the process used to make paper. While that doesn't sound very appetising, you don't need to worry about the same thing happening to your digestive system.
"Remember, your stomach and intestines break down food with the help of digestive enzymes and bacteria, so it doesn't sit around and dry out like it does in the bowl," says Emma Shafquat, a pediatric dietitian.
If you want to avoid ultra-processed foods (UPFs), you may be wary of foods that contain ingredients you won't find in your kitchen cupboards.
Rhiannon Lambert, a certified nutritionist and author of The science of plant-based nutrition and founder of Rhitrition and Rhitrition Plus clinics, says this isn't always a cause for concern. "People often see words like 'niacin', 'riboflavin', 'folic acid' on the back of cereal packets and worry that they are added chemicals that are unnatural or harmful. However, these nutrients are vital to our health and are added to foods like Weetabix to ensure a balanced intake."
Shafquat agrees. She says: "For many children, especially fussy eaters, and adults, especially women, fortified cereals can be a great way to get extra iron. Folic acid can also reduce the risk of neural tube defects in pregnancy, so I think it's positive that Weetabix is fortified with extra nutrients."
Five Reasons Why Weetabix Can Be Considered Healthy
According to experts, Weetabix can be considered healthy for the following reasons:
1. It contains little sugar
"The sugar content in Weetabix is minimal, which helps to regulate blood sugar levels. This is very important for energy, and especially relevant for children. If you send your child to school after a bowl of sugary cereal, their blood sugar will rise quickly and then drop dramatically, leaving them hungry and likely unable to concentrate," says Lambert.
2. It contains a lot of fiber
"This is good for your digestion and keeps you feeling fuller longer," says Shafquat.
3. It is reinforced
"We know that the main source of iron in our diet comes from fortified cereals like Weetabix," says Lambert. "But here in the UK, a product labelled 'organic' is not allowed to be fortified with nutrients like vitamins and minerals."
Surprisingly, this gives the original Weetabix an edge over the organic version in terms of nutritional value.
4. It contains little salt
"There's only 0.10g of salt in two biscuits," says Shafquat. In the UK, the advice is for adults to consume less than 6g of salt a day, so this won't have much impact.
5. It is convenient
"Weetabix can be quickly made with milk or a plant-based alternative and topped with fruit for added nutrition and variety," says Lambert. "This ease of preparation makes it a great choice for busy mornings when time is limited."
But is Weetabix a UPF?
When was the last time you added malted barley extract to your grocery list? It's not an ingredient commonly used by home cooks, and it's the main reason Weetabix is technically UPF.
Lambert explains: "Despite the relatively simple ingredients list, Weetabix falls into the category [of UPFs] due to the presence of added sugars and certain processed ingredients such as malted barley extract. However, not all UPFs are created equal. For example, original Weetabix varieties provide a good source of whole grains, fibre and essential vitamins and minerals, which contribute positively to a balanced diet. This distinction highlights why we should not label all UPFs as unhealthy."
Shafquat agrees: "Weetabix is low on my list of foods to avoid because they contain UPF."
Verdict: Is Weetabix healthy?
Just look at the nutritional information. The original Weetbix meets all the requirements for healthy eating and has all the green lights, according to the traffic light system.
However, not all Weetabix are created equal - and some varieties are a lot healthier than others. For example, flavoured Weetabix, such as the chocolate, banana and fruit & nut minis, have a much higher sugar content (up to 8.1g for the chocolate flavoured biscuits). Surprisingly, even healthy-sounding options like Weetabix Protein can't quite match the originals.
"These cereals are a great way to get a large portion of your daily protein intake through breakfast, but they do come with the downside of being slightly higher in sugar than original Weetabix," explains Lambert.
Our experts agree that a bowl of Weetabix is a healthy way to start the day - but only if you opt for the original varieties.
Lambert concludes: "I would opt for original Weetabix or Oatibix as they offer a balanced nutritional profile with minimal added sugars, making them a great breakfast choice for most people. This also gives you the freedom to combine your regular biscuits with healthy toppings of your choice."
How to Boost Your Weetabix Bowl
Yes, Weetabix can be a bit bland, but Lambert has the following suggestions to make it tastier - and more nutritious.
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Add a spoonful of nut butter: " Try almond or peanut butter to increase the unsaturated fat content. Together with the high fibre content in Weetabix, this helps to slow the digestion and absorption of sugar, resulting in a more gradual blood glucose response, keeping you feeling fuller for longer."
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Sprinkle some nuts on top: "Nuts are rich in polyphenols and antioxidants, which can help protect your body from oxidative stress and support overall health."
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Garnish with fresh fruit: "Berries, bananas or apples add natural sweetness, vitamins and fibre, which improves the nutritional profile of your breakfast. Pairing Weetabix with a fresh orange is especially beneficial as oranges are high in vitamin C. Weetabix is fortified with iron, which can help improve its absorption."
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Add it to yogurt: "Try crushing Weetabix and sprinkling it over a bowl of yoghurt. This will add extra protein to your meal, helping you feel fuller for longer."