Is Magic Spoon cereal healthy? This Magic Spoon dietitian review will help you decide if Magic Spoon is a healthy choice to add to your grocery cart. Read on for our dietitian review of taste, nutritional properties, ingredients, use, and cost before you buy.
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Is Magic Spoon Cereal Healthy?
Magic Spoon cereal is high in protein and a source of unsaturated fats but is low in fiber. Compared to other sweet cereals such as Fruit Loops or Fruity Pebbles, Magic Spoon is a healthier option. Compared to these cereals, it is much lower in sugar, higher in protein, and free from artificial colors and flavors.
It’s important to note that Magic Spoon only achieves its sweet flavor and low sugar status with the help of the non-calorie sweeteners Allulose and Monk Fruit. While non-calorie sweeteners are not harmful in moderate amounts, reducing your intake of both sugar and non-sugar sweeteners is recommended. For this reason, an alternative low-sugar cereal free from non-sugar sweeteners is an ideal choice. Check out our list of the Best High Fibre Low Sugar Cereals here.
Bottom line: If you love sweet-tasting cereals and consume them often, Magic Spoon is a great alternative that is lower in sugar and contains a source of protein. Just be sure to serve with some added fiber, such as whole fruit, chia seeds, or ground flax. Otherwise, we suggest choosing a high-fiber cereal with a low sugar content, such as these cereals.
About Magic Spoon
Magic Spoon is a high protein, sugar-free, keto-friendly cereal that claims to be a healthier alternative to traditional sugar-sweetened cereal, such as Fruit Loops and Frosted Flakes. Magic Spoon is available in eight flavors: fruity, peanut butter, cocoa, frosted, birthday cake, cinnamon roll, blueberry muffin, and chocolate chip cookie.
Taste & Texture
I sampled the Magic Spoon Fruity flavour for the purpose of this review. It had a sweet taste and a fruity flavour. It was crisp in texture. The non-caloric sweeteners in this cereal do not have an aftertaste like some other sweeteners. Though I didn’t think this cereal tasted the same as Fruit Loops or other high-sugar fruity cereals, it did resemble the flavor.
Magic Spoon Ingredients
| Flavour | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Fruity | Milk protein blend (casein, whey protein concentrate), sweetener blend (allulose, monk fruit extract), oil blend (high oleic sunflower oil, avocado oil), tapioca starch, inulin, natural flavor, salt, turmeric extract, spirulina extract, vegetable juice (for color). |
| Peanut butter | Milk protein blend (casein, whey protein concentrate), sweetener blend (allulose, monk fruit extract), oil blend (high oleic sunflower oil, avocado oil), tapioca starch, peanut oil, inulin, peanut flour, peanut extract, natural flavor, salt. |
| Cocoa | Milk protein blend (casein, whey protein concentrate), sweetener blend (allulose, monk fruit extract), oil blend (high oleic sunflower oil, avocado oil), tapioca starch, cocoa powder, inulin, natural flavor, salt. |
| Frosted | Milk protein blend (casein, whey protein concentrate), sweetener blend (allulose, monk fruit extract), oil blend (high oleic sunflower oil), avocado oil, tapioca starch, inulin, natural flavor, salt. |
| Birthday cake | Milk protein blend (casein, whey protein concentrate), sweetener blend (allulose, monk fruit extract), oil blend (high oleic sunflower oil, avocado oil, tapioca starch, inulin, natural flavor, edible glitter (gub arabic, spirulina extract, radish extract, turmeric extract, salt. |
| Cinnamon roll | Milk protein blend (casein, whey protein concentrate), sweetener blend (allulose, monk fruit extract), oil blend (high oleic sunflower oil, avocado oil), tapioca starch, inulin, cinnamon, salt. |
| Blueberry muffin | Milk protein blend (casein, whey protein concentrate), sweetener blend (allulose, monk fruit extract), oil blend (high oleic sunflower oil, avocado oil), tapioca starch, inulin, natural flavor, blueberry, fruit and vegetable juice (for color), salt. |
| Chocolate chip cookie | Milk protein blend (casein, whey protein concentrate), sweetener blend (allulose, monk fruit extract), oil blend (high oleic sunflower oil, avocado oil), tapioca starch, inulin, natural flavor, fruit and vegetable juice (for color), edible glitter (sodium alginate, alkalized cocoa powder, gum arabic), salt. |
Milk Protein blend: made from casein and whey protein concentrate, two proteins found in milk.
Allulose: Allulose is a natural sugar found in small amounts in some fruit. Since it is naturally occurring in small quantities, it is most often manufactured from fructose for use in the food industry. When consumed, 70% of allulose is absorbed through the small intestine and the remaining 30% is excreted. The absorbed allulose is not metabolized by the body, so it is considered a zero-calorie sweetener (0.4 calories per gram) and can act as a sugar substitute in foods. It has recently been approved for use by the FDA in foods in America but has not yet been approved for use in Canada.
Monk fruit extract: a sugar substitute and low-calorie sweetener. To produce monk fruit extract, monk fruits are boiled and the extract is removed and then purified to produce the final sugar substitute.
High oleic sunflower oil: sunflower oil that is high in monounsaturated fats. It has a neutral flavor that is stable when used in food products.
Avocado oil: oil rich in monounsaturated fats.
Tapioca starch: a gluten-free flour used as a binder.
Inulin: a type of soluble fiber added to this product to boost the fiber content. As a fiber supplement, inulin is flavorless and blends well into food products.
Natural flavor: a blanket term for any combination of extracts from plant or animal products. Check out our blog post, What are Natural Flavours and Should you Avoid them, for more information on natural flavors.
Salt: added source of sodium used for flavor and preserving.
Turmeric extract, spirulina extract, and vegetable juice: added for color.
Priority Allergens: contains milk. Manufactured in a facility that also processes wheat, soy, tree nuts, and sesame.
Is Magic Spoon Cereal Healthy?
Magic Spoon Nutrition Facts
| Fruity | Peanut Butter | Cocoa | Frosted | Birthday Cake | Cinnamon Roll | Blueberry Muffin | Chocolate Chip Cookie | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 150 | 170 | 140 | 140 | 150 | 140 | 150 | 140 |
| Fat (g) | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 |
| Saturated (g) | 1 | 1.5 | 1 | 0.5 | 1 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.5 |
| Sodium (mg) | 160 | 210 | 160 | 210 | 270 | 150 | 160 | 210 |
| Carbohydrate (g) | 15 | 10 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
| Fiber (g) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sugar (g) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Added sugar (g) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Protein (g) | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
| Vitamin D (mcg) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Calcium (mg) | 19 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 24 | 35 | 19 | 30 |
| Iron (mg) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Potassium (mg) | 19 | 40 | 105 | 19 | 27 | 25 | 19 | 23 |
Nutrition per 1 cup serving
Calories: 140-170 calories, depending on the flavor
Fat: 7-8g, coming from sunflower and avocado oils.
Saturated: 0.5-1.5g, coming from the oil blend.
Sodium: 150-270mg, coming from added salt.
Carbohydrate: 10-15g, coming from tapioca starch and allulose.
Fiber: 1-2g, coming from inulin
Sugar: 0g
Protein: 12-14g, coming from casein and whey protein.
Micronutrients: 2mg iron, 19-35mg calcium, 19-105mg potassium per 1 cup serving, depending on the flavor.
Cost
Magic Spoon is available for $39 per 4-pack, or $9.99 per box. Buy Magic Spoon Cereal here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Magic Spoon Cereal made of?
Magic Spoon cereal is made from a combination of milk protein, vegetable oil, non-caloric sweeteners. starch and extracts.
Is Magic Spoon Cereal Gluten-Free?
Magic Spoon cereal does not contain wheat but it is manufactured in a facility that processed wheat products. Always check the nutrition label for up-to-date nutrition and ingredient information before consuming.
Is Magic Spoon Cereal Vegan?
No, Magic Spoon cereal contains milk protein and is not considered vegan.
Is Magic Spoon Cereal Good for Diabetics?
Magic Spoon cereal is low in sugar and overall carbohydrate, and a source of protein and unsaturated fats. This will lead to a lower glycemic response compared to other sugar-sweetened cereals.
Is Magic Spoon Cereal Keto Friendly?
Yes, Magic Spoon cereal is considered keto-friendly as it has a low net-carbohydrate content.
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- Is Raisin Bran cereal healthy? Dietitian Review
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- Best Sugar-Free Protein Bars You Can Buy at the Grocery Store
Sources:
- Magic Spoon (viewed August 18, 2023)
- Biproduction of D-allulose: Properties, applications, purifications, and future perspectives. Comprehensive Review in Food Science and Food Safety (2021). DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.12859.
- Research Advances of d-allulose: An Overview of Physiological Functions, Enzymatic Biotransformation Technologies, and Production Process. Foods (2021). DOI: 10.3390/foods10092186
- United States Food and Drug Administration. Guidance for Industry: The Declaration of Allulose and Calories from Allulose on Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels (2020).
- Food and Drug Administration. GRAS Notice D-Allulose (2021).
- Food and Drug Administration. GRAS Notice Monk Fruit (2017).
