Is Wheaties Protein Maple Almond Safe? Ingredient Analysis
General Mills
Wheaties Protein Maple Almond is a cereal from General Mills. It has a Zerotox safety score of 70/100, which means it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The main ingredients worth reviewing are Soy Protein Isolate, Natural Flavor.
70 / 100
Why score is 70
The composition includes whole grain wheat and almonds, which are beneficial, but also contains soy protein isolate and added vitamins. The presence of refined ingredients like coconut oil and natural flavor raises concerns about processing and quality, leading to a moderate rating.
Main concern
Soy protein isolate is a highly processed ingredient, raising concerns about the quality of protein sources.
Why it matters: This ingredient is flagged in our analysis based on regulatory and scientific sources. Check the Ingredients section for details and see Data sources for methodology.
Regulation status: Ingredient safety is assessed from EU/EPA/CIR and similar databases; formulations may vary. Always read the product label.
Pros
- Whole grain wheat provides dietary fiber and essential nutrients, supporting overall health.
- Almonds contribute healthy fats and protein, enhancing the nutritional profile of the cereal.
Concerns
- Soy protein isolate is a highly processed ingredient, raising concerns about the quality of protein sources.
- Coconut oil, while a source of fat, is refined and may not align with health-conscious choices.
Who should avoid this product?
This cereal may not be the best fit for:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
Ingredients breakdown
Each ingredient below is explained in the context of this cereal so the page answers more than a simple label list.
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Is Whole Grain Wheat safe in this cereal?
Good
Whole Grain Wheat is used here as base. Whole grain wheat serves as the primary ingredient, providing dietary fiber and essential nutrients that contribute positively to the overall health benefits of the cereal.
Role in formula: base
Original: Whole Grain Wheat
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Is Vital Wheat Gluten safe in this cereal?
Medium
Vital Wheat Gluten is used here as base. Vital wheat gluten is a concentrated protein derived from wheat, used to enhance texture and protein content. While it adds protein, it is a processed ingredient that may not be suitable for all diets.
Role in formula: base
Original: Vital Wheat Gluten
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Is Almonds safe in this cereal?
Good
Almonds is used here as base. Almonds are a source of healthy fats, protein, and various vitamins and minerals, contributing positively to the nutritional value of the cereal.
Role in formula: base
Original: Almonds
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Is Maple Syrup safe in this cereal?
Medium
Maple Syrup is used here as sweetener. Maple syrup is a natural sweetener that adds flavor but is still a form of sugar, which can raise concerns about excessive sugar intake in the diet.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Maple Syrup
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Is Soy Protein Isolate safe in this cereal?
Bad
Soy Protein Isolate is used here as base. Soy protein isolate is a highly processed form of protein that may raise concerns regarding its health implications and the quality of protein sources in the product.
Role in formula: base
Original: Soy Protein Isolate
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Is Coconut Oil safe in this cereal?
Medium
Coconut Oil is used here as base. Coconut oil is a source of saturated fat and is often refined, which may not align with health-conscious dietary choices, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: Coconut Oil
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Is Pumpkin Seeds safe in this cereal?
Good
Pumpkin Seeds is used here as base. Pumpkin seeds are nutrient-dense, providing healthy fats, protein, and minerals, which enhance the overall nutritional profile of the cereal.
Role in formula: base
Original: Pumpkin Seeds
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Is Wheat Bran safe in this cereal?
Good
Wheat Bran is used here as base. Wheat bran is a source of dietary fiber, promoting digestive health and contributing positively to the overall nutritional value of the cereal.
Role in formula: base
Original: Wheat Bran
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Is Inulin safe in this cereal?
Medium
Inulin is used here as stabilizer. Inulin is a type of soluble fiber that acts as a prebiotic, supporting gut health, but it is also a processed ingredient that may not be suitable for all consumers.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: Inulin
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Is Salt safe in this cereal?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt is used to enhance flavor but should be consumed in moderation. Its presence raises concerns about sodium intake in the diet.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Salt
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Is Malted Barley Extract safe in this cereal?
Medium
Malted Barley Extract is used here as flavor. Malted barley extract adds flavor and sweetness but is a processed ingredient that may not align with health-conscious choices.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Malted Barley Extract
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Is Natural Flavor safe in this cereal?
Bad
Natural Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural flavor is a vague term that can encompass various additives, raising concerns about transparency and the quality of ingredients used in the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Natural Flavor
-
Is Vitamin E Mixed Tocopherols safe in this cereal?
Good
Vitamin E Mixed Tocopherols is used here as antioxidant. Vitamin E is added as a natural antioxidant to preserve freshness, contributing positively to the product's quality and shelf life.
Role in formula: antioxidant
Original: Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) Added to Preserve Freshness.
Read the full ingredient profile for Vitamin E Mixed Tocopherols
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Is Calcium Carbonate safe in this cereal?
Medium
Calcium Carbonate is used here as fortificant. Calcium carbonate is used to fortify the product with calcium, which is beneficial for bone health, but it is a synthetic form of calcium that may not be as bioavailable as natural sources.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: Calcium Carbonate
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Is Iron And Zinc safe in this cereal?
Medium
Iron And Zinc is used here as fortificant. Iron and zinc are added as mineral nutrients to enhance the product's nutritional profile, but their synthetic forms may raise concerns about absorption and bioavailability.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: Iron and Zinc (mineral nutrients)
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Is Vitamin C Sodium Ascorbate safe in this cereal?
Medium
Vitamin C Sodium Ascorbate is used here as fortificant. Vitamin C is included as a fortificant to enhance nutritional value, but sodium ascorbate is a synthetic form that may not be as effective as natural sources.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: Vitamin C (sodium ascorbate)
Read the full ingredient profile for Vitamin C Sodium Ascorbate
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Is Niacinamide safe in this cereal?
Medium
Niacinamide is used here as fortificant. Niacinamide is a B vitamin added for fortification, contributing to the product's nutritional profile, but its synthetic nature raises questions about quality.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: A B Vitamin (niacinamide)
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Is Pyridoxine Hydrochloride safe in this cereal?
Medium
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride is used here as fortificant. Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a synthetic form of vitamin B6 used for fortification, which may not be as beneficial as natural sources.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride)
Read the full ingredient profile for Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
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Is Thiamin Mononitrate safe in this cereal?
Medium
Thiamin Mononitrate is used here as fortificant. Thiamin mononitrate is a synthetic form of vitamin B1 added for fortification, raising concerns about the quality of vitamin sources in the product.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: Vitamin B1 (thiamin mononitrate)
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Is Palmitate safe in this cereal?
Medium
Palmitate is used here as fortificant. Vitamin A palmitate is a synthetic form of vitamin A used for fortification, which may not provide the same benefits as natural sources.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: Vitamin A (palmitate)
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Is Riboflavin safe in this cereal?
Medium
Riboflavin is used here as fortificant. Riboflavin is a B vitamin added for fortification, contributing to the product's nutritional profile, but its synthetic form raises questions about quality.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
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Is Folic Acid safe in this cereal?
Medium
Folic Acid is used here as fortificant. Folic acid is a synthetic form of vitamin B added for fortification, which may not be as effective as natural sources.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: A B Vitamin (folic acid)
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Is Vitamin B12 safe in this cereal?
Medium
Vitamin B12 is used here as fortificant. Vitamin B12 is included for fortification, enhancing the product's nutritional profile, but its synthetic form raises concerns about quality.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: Vitamin B12
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Is Vitamin D3 safe in this cereal?
Medium
Vitamin D3 is used here as fortificant. Vitamin D3 is added for fortification, contributing to the product's nutritional value, but its synthetic nature raises questions about quality.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: Vitamin D3
How we score
Our safety scores and ingredient breakdowns are based on regulatory and scientific sources. See Data sources & methodology and How Zerotox works for full details.
Product info
Product ID: 2380093
More from this brand: General Mills products in Zerotox
Similar products: cereal in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: almond , wheat , soy
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.