General Mills makes Cheerios cereals, including sweetened Fruity Cheerios for children. Like all cereals from General Mills, Fruity Cheerios contains whole grains. If you're looking for a fortified cold cereal for your children's breakfast, consider the nutritional data such as calories, vitamins, minerals and sugars. The nutritional information for Fruity Cheerios is for a serving of three-quarters cup, or 27 g.
Nutritional Summary
A serving of Fruity Cheerios has 100 calories and 1.5 g total fat with no saturated fat, trans fat or cholesterol. It has 1 g protein and 23 g carbohydrate, including 2 g dietary fiber and 9 g sugars from sources such as sugar, corn syrup and pear puree. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services state that most Americans should decrease sodium and increase potassium. This cereal has 135 mg sodium and 60 mg potassium.
Iron
Your red blood cells carry oxygen to the different cells throughout your body, and iron-deficiency anemia can occur if you don't get enough dietary iron to allow your blood cells to develop properly. According Kids Health, symptoms of anemia include fatigue and weakness. Sources of iron include red meat, leafy green vegetables, beans and fortified grains. A serving of Fruity Cheerios provides 25 percent of the daily value for iron and for vitamin C, which helps your body absorb iron.
Bone Health
Calcium is an essential mineral for growing and maintaining strong bones, and vitamin D helps your body absorb and use calcium. According to the 2005 Dietary Guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, many children may not get enough calcium and are at risk of developing weak bones. A serving of Fruity Cheerios provides 10 percent of the daily value for calcium and for vitamin D. Having your cereal with a half cup of skim milk would add an extra 15 percent of each of these nutrients.
Other Micronutrients
Fruity Cheerios has 10 percent of the daily value for vitamin A and 25 percent for zinc. Kids Health states that these two nutrients are essential for a healthy immune system and normal growth, and vitamin A supports healthy vision. Thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin B6 help your body metabolize food to get energy, and the cereal has 25 percent of the daily value for each of these vitamins as well as for vitamin B12. It also has 50 percent of daily value for folic acid.
Balanced Breakfast
Fruity Cheerios provides whole grain servings from the starch or carbohydrate group, and despite the fruit flavor, it does not provide a serving of fruit. You can build a balanced breakfast around Fruity Cheerios by eating it with fruit and dairy. Many kinds of fruit such as blueberries or melon are high in fiber, vitamin C and vitamin A. A serving of reduced-fat or fat-free milk or yogurt would add calcium, potassium and protein to your breakfast.
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