Weetabix is one of the UK’s most recognisable brands and has been providing the nation with a tasty start to the day since 1932. For over eighty years it has been the go-to cereal for families who rely on a fast, yet filling, breakfast before beginning a busy day, but is Weetabix a healthy choice?
From the iconic original Weetabix biscuit to the convenient Weetabix On The Go breakfast drink there are so many ways to start your day. Here, we investigate the nutritional values of the popular cereal and discover just how good Weetabix really is for you.
Is Weetabix healthy? – A quick answer
Although Weetabix cereal contains some added sugar, they are still beneficial for health since they contain whole grains, fibre and added vitamins and minerals. It can be particularly beneficial for older people. The sugar content is very low compared to some other popular cereals.
To learn more about Weetabix and just how healthy they are, read the rest of the post.
Weetabix Cereal Ingredients
The classic Weetabix has relatively few ingredients:
- Wholegrain Wheat (95%)
- Malted Barley Extract
- Sugar
- Salt
The good news is that wholegrain wheat is packed with vitamins, nutrients and minerals. Whole grains are also high in fibre and antioxidants.
The malted barley extract is a sweet flavouring added to the breakfast cereal, along with small amounts of sugar and salt.
Weetabix also produce a chocolate version of their cereal for a more indulgent breakfast. This contains more ingredients, including 7% plain chocolate and reduced-fat cocoa powder for a sweeter taste.
Nutritional Values Of Weetabix
It’s recommended that a serving of their cereal should contain two biscuits. Let’s break down the nutritional values of the recommended serving size and discover exactly what Weetabix gives your body in terms of nourishment.
| Flavour | Carbs | Sugar | Fibre | Protein | Calories |
| Classic | 26g | 1.9g | 3.8g | 4.5g | 136 cals |
| Chocolate | 31g | 8.1g | 4.5g | 4.5g | 166 cals |
| Banana | 31g | 6.6g | 4.3g | 4.4g | 157 cals |
Carbs In Weetabix
Carbohydrates are a great source of fuel for your body, which is why many cereals contain lots of carbs to kick-start your day.
The classic Weetabix will give you 26g of carbohydrates, of which just 1.9g are sugar.
The wholewheat grains in the cereal are classed as ‘healthy carbs’ which are more satisfying and could help to control your appetite making you less likely to snack between meals.
According to the Eatwell Guide, carbs should make up one-third of our daily diet, and we need to make more healthy carb choices, including whole grains, which makes Weetabix a sensible choice to help reach this target.
Sugar In Weetabix
Thinking of sugar in terms of grams can be tricky, but when you calculate that an average teaspoon of sugar equates to 6g, then you can start to understand the sugar content of your food more easily.
Classic Weetabix contains only 1.9g of sugar, which is very low when compared to some other cereals.
Frosties, for example, contain 11g of sugar in a 30g serving and Crunchy Honey & Nut Clusters has 12g of sugar.
Even by choosing the Chocolate Weetabix with 8.1g of sugar, you’ll still be consuming less sugar than with most other popular cereals.
Fibre In Weetabix
Depending on the flavour of Weetabix you choose, it contains between 3.8g – 4.5g of fibre per portion.
Fibre is found in foods that come from plants and has a positive impact on our health and well-being. The average adult should aim to consume at least 30g of fibre a day.
Compared to other popular cereals, Weetabix contains more fibre. For example, a similar-sized bowl of Kellogg’s Cornflakes contains just 0.9g of fibre.
Weetabix will give you a head-start with your fibre intake, but for an added fibre boost our tip would be to add a handful of chopped red berries and nuts to your Weetabix.
Eating plenty of fibre aids digestion and helps to maintain healthy bowels. Fibre has also been associated with lowering the risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes and bowel cancer.
Protein In Weetabix
Protein-rich foods are more filling, so it stands to reason that by eating a breakfast cereal that’s packed with protein, you’ll be less likely to want a mid-morning snack. This will reduce your calorie intake and help you to maintain a healthy weight.
Traditional Weetabix provides you with 4.5g of protein per serving, but we’ve discovered a Weetabix product that offers 7.6g of protein for the same serving size.
Weetabix Protein is a modern take on the classic Weetabix recipe, produced using wheat protein and wheat crispies, to start your day off feeling satisfied and ready for anything!
Calories In Weetabix
Here’s a quick guide to help you decide how many calories are in a bowl of Weetabix. Remember, if you add 125ml of semi-skimmed milk to the cereal, this will add 64 calories to your breakfast.
| Flavour | Calories in 1 Weetabix | Calories in 2 Weetabix | Calories in 3 Weetabix |
| Classic | 68 | 136 | 204 |
| Chocolate | 83 | 166 | 249 |
| Banana | 79 | 157 | 235 |
Vitamins & Minerals In Weetabix
All the flavours of Weetabix we’ve looked at in this article contain high amounts of added vitamins and minerals, with 85% of your RI of Thiamin (B1), 86% of Riboflavin (B2), 88% of Niacin, 85% Folic Acid and 86% Iron in each serving of all the flavours.
B vitamins help to promote a healthy nervous system and release the energy from the food we consume while iron is important for reducing fatigue (if you are deficient) and helps to keep your immune system strong and body temperature regulated.
Quick FAQs About Weetabix
Does Weetabix have any health benefits?
Yes, consuming Weetabix comes with certain health benefits as this cereal contains a wide range of vitamins and minerals.
So it helps to keep your energy levels high and contributes to a healthy immune system. It’s also a good source of fibre and helps your digestive system stay healthy.
What’s more, it will help you meet the daily recommended protein intake, keeping you fuller for longer and helping you maintain your weight.
To reap all the benefits, just make sure you buy the Classic Weetabix, not the flavoured one which has more sugar.
Is chocolate Weetabix healthy?
Weetabix with chocolate contains 84% wholegrain wheat, sugar, plain chocolate and Fat Reduced Cocoa Powder.
Just like the Classic Weetabix, it also contains Malted Barley Extract and salt. It also has added B vitamins and iron.
The sugar content in chocolate Weetabix stands at 17g per 100g. This is 7.7g of sugar per serving (2 biscuits) which equals almost 2 teaspoons of sugar.
Chocolate Weetabix does come with some health benefits as it contains whole grains, a good amount of fibre and added vitamins. However, it’s not the healthiest breakfast due to its relatively high sugar content but it’s also not the worst and better than many sugary cereals out there.
If you are trying to lose weight, there are better breakfast options than chocolate Weetabix.
Choose low-sugar, high-protein foods such as scrambled eggs and a piece of fruit to stay full for longer.
Is porridge better than Weetabix?
I’m a big believer in a bowl of porridge to start my day. However, depending on your personal taste or whether you have the time to make a bowl of porridge, Weetabix is a good alternative that provides a great start to your day.
Is 2 Weetabix enough for breakfast?
Yes! The average adult will find two Weetabix enough to keep them feeling full until lunchtime.
If you are very active, or like a big breakfast, then why not have a banana with your Weetabix and bag one of your five-a-day?
Is Weetabix On The Go healthy?
For a more nutritionally balanced breakfast, Weetabix cereal is best. But for those odd occasions when time is against you, it’s OK to ‘grab and go’.
Just remember the sugar count of a Vanilla Weetabix On The Go drink is 12g with 4.8g of fat, so it’s not something we would recommend on a regular basis.
Is Weetabix good for weight loss?
We believe so. It contributes in many ways to feeling fuller for longer and the classic variety contains no fat.
It’s especially beneficial for those switching from high-sugar cereals to healthier alternatives as it’s relatively low in sugar.
But eating Weetabix every day in a hope that it will help you lose weight won’t really work. This has to be done in a combination with a calorie-controlled diet and active lifestyle as there is much more to losing weight than just switching to a healthier cereal.
Can babies eat Weetabix?
Weetabix is not suitable for infants under six months. If you do choose to give a toddler Weetabix once weaning has been established, the Department Of Health recommends all family foods are mashed up where possible. My own son loved Weetabix with warm milk when he was a toddler and, nine years later, he still does.
Is Weetabix gluten-free?
All the Weetabix cereal range contain gluten. Have a look at Weetabix’s ingredient information for more details on the gluten in each product.
Is Weetabix healthy at night?
Yes, as long as you have a single portion. We often have Weetabix as a family supper – it’s nutritious and delicious at any time of the day.
So… What’s the Verdict? Is Weetabix Healthy?
Weetabix gets a resounding thumbs-up from us. The classic biscuits contain wholewheat grains, low sugar and almost no fat, plus they provide the carbs, proteins and fibre needed to keep us going in a busy world.
Its long-standing heritage and ability to adapt in modern times with new flavours and ready-to-drink options will ensure Weetabix remains a family favourite for many years to come.
Other cereals we investigated:
Special K Cereal
Kellogg’s All-Bran Cereal
Bran Flakes
Shreddies
Author Bio
Kerry passionately believes that eating a healthy and nutritious breakfast provides a head-start to reaching your nutritional requirements for the day. She encourages everyone to make time for breakfast which will lead to you feeling fully-fuelled to face the day and encourage more healthy food choices overall.
