(Image source: Kellogg's)

BY LAUREN ZIMA

A new study shows that some popular kids’ cereals contain more sugar than Chips Ahoy cookies -- and others, more than Twinkies.

A new report from the Environmental Working Group looks at 84 cereals -- several that are marketed to kids, and found many have sugar levels above government guidelines. Honey Smacks is the worst -- the cereal is 55.6 percent sugar by weight -- more than a Twinkie. Close behind it, Post Golden Crisp are 51.9 percent sugar, and Kellogg’s Froot Loops Marshmallow are 48.3.

And The Los Angeles Times says the cereals had more problems than being too sweet.

“Sugar wasn't the only problem found [in the cereals] … Others were found to exceed proposed government nutrition guidelines: 10 cereals had more than 210 milligrams of sodium and at least 26 cereals were not predominantly whole grain.”

The study found only one in four cereals met government guidelines laid out by Congress’ Interagency Working Group panel. The Daily Mail has an opinion from a food health expert, who says people don’t realize just how dangerous sugar is.

“Dr Andrew Weil … believes the shocking findings 'should cause national outrage. 50 years of nutrition research has confirmed that sugar is actually the single most health-destructive component of the standard American diet.'”

The study comes as the IWG wants food industries to limit sodium, fats and sugar in products advertised to kids ages 2 to 17 -- citing epidemic obesity rates. But The Washington Post says food companies are against the new limitations, which would take effect in 2016.

“Food companies say the guidelines are back-door regulations that would effectively ban food advertising to youth because they are so severe. … Many cereal makers say [this] study is misleading on several fronts. For starters, only two cereals on the group’s ‘10 worst’ list are marketed to kids, industry advocates said. … Even the sugary cereals, they said, are of nutritional value because they contain vitamins and minerals.”

Health experts recommend sugar-free cereal, but anchors on Fox’s WTXF say sugar may be unavoidable.

“Who doesn’t put sugar on Rice Krispies? Do you?”
“Yeah, I do. I put it on there.”
“You sprinkle sugar across the top. So, you buy the healthier cereal, but I’ll probably end up putting more sugar on the top of it than I would if you just give me Froot Loops."