Healthy Food Guide by KarbCoach
Apple Jacks Sweetened Three-Grain Cereal With Apple & Cinnamon: Food Integrity analysis
Quick answer
Lower integrity
Apple Jacks sweetened three-grain cereal with apple & cinnamon received a Food Integrity Score of 38 out of 100 (lower integrity). This reflects ultra-processed and high additive load. This is a heavily engineered sugar-coated cereal that leans on artificial dyes, hydrogenated fat, and several refined fractions to build color, flavor, and shelf life. It reads more like a food-engineering project than a simple breakfast, so it fits better as an occasional treat than an everyday staple. Main considerations include artificial colors red 40, yellow 6, and blue 1, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, and modified starch, bht, and vague natural flavor. Simpler options: Look for cereals colored with plant-based sources and no hydrogenated oils; choose plain whole-grain cereal and add cinnamon and fresh fruit.
Food Integrity Score 38/100
What stood out on the label?
- Ultra-processed
- High additive load
- Transparency: High
What to watch?
- Artificial colors Red 40, Yellow 6, and Blue 1
- Partially hydrogenated vegetable oil
- Modified starch, BHT, and vague natural flavor
Simpler options to consider
- Look for cereals colored with plant-based sources and no hydrogenated oils
- Choose plain whole-grain cereal and add cinnamon and fresh fruit
You are viewing ingredients and processing. Switch to Longevity for nutrition and longer-term eating pattern fit.
Source data, GTIN, and Healthy Food Guide analysis details
Product facts
- Product
- Apple Jacks Sweetened Three-Grain Cereal With Apple & Cinnamon
- Brand
- Apple Jacks
- Category
- Breakfast & Cereal (source: Cereal)
- GTIN / UPC
00038000114007- Serving size
- 25 g (1 pouch)
- Source data — ingredients
- Ingredient list from product label data (see Sources)
- Healthy Food Guide analysis
- Independent Longevity and Food Integrity scorecards. See methodology under Sources.
- Data last verified
Food Integrity results
Sweetened Three-Grain Cereal With Apple & Cinnamon
Apple Jacks
Lower integrity
Warning Signs
Partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, Red 40, Yellow 6, and Blue 1 pack this cereal with artificial colors and industrial fats.
Consider This
Modified corn starch, soluble corn fiber, BHT, and natural flavor signal a factory-formulated, ultra-processed cereal profile.
Good Substitutes
Plain rolled oats with cinnamon and diced dried apple, or unsweetened whole-grain cereal with fresh fruit.
Overall Assessment
Lower integrityThis is a heavily engineered sugar-coated cereal that leans on artificial dyes, hydrogenated fat, and several refined fractions to build color, flavor, and shelf life. It reads more like a food-engineering project than a simple breakfast, so it fits better as an occasional treat than an everyday staple.
Key Highlights
What stood out
- Artificial colors Red 40, Yellow 6, and Blue 1
- Partially hydrogenated vegetable oil
- Modified starch, BHT, and vague natural flavor
Family Watchlist
Ingredients some users may personally want to know about.
- Partially hydrogenated vegetable oil — Hydrogenated industrial fat
- Red 40 — Artificial color
- Yellow 6 — Artificial color
- Blue 1 — Artificial color
- Natural flavor — Vague flavor system
- BHT for freshness — Synthetic preservative
Highest concern ingredients
- Partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (8/10) — Industrial hydrogenated fat.
- Red 40 (8/10) — Artificial color.
- Yellow 6 (8/10) — Artificial color.
Better choice tips
- Look for cereals colored with plant-based sources and no hydrogenated oils.
- Choose plain whole-grain cereal and add cinnamon and fresh fruit.
Ingredients
Ingredient list
SUGAR, CORN FLOUR BLEND (WHOLE GRAIN YELLOW CORN FLOUR, DEGERMINATED YELLOW CORN FLOUR), WHEAT FLOUR, WHOLE GRAIN OAT FLOUR, OAT FIBER, SOLUBLE CORN FIBER CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL (COCONUT, SOYBEAN AND/OR COTTONSEED), SALT, MILLED CORN, DRIED APPLES, APPLE JUICE CONCENTRATE, CORNSTARCH, CINNAMON, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, YELLOW 6, BAKING SODA, TURMERIC COLOR, NATURAL FLAVOR, BLUE 1, RED 40, BHT FOR FRESHNESS. VITAMINS AND MINERALS: VITAMIN C (SODIUM ASCORBATE AND ASCORBIC ACID), NIACINAMIDE, REDUCED IRON, ZINC OXIDE, VITAMINS B6 (PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE), VITAMIN B2 (RIBOFLAVIN), VITAMIN B1 (THIAMIN HYDROCHLORIDE), VITAMIN A PALMITATE, FOLIC ACID, VITAMIN D, VITAMIN B12.
Formulations can vary — check the package label for the final word.
Highest-concern ingredients first. Expand an item for notes.
Partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (coconut, soybean and/or cottonseed)Concern 8/10 — Higher concernHydrogenated oilWatchlist · Higher concern
What this is
Hydrogenated oil
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Hydrogenated oils are industrial fats many users want to avoid.
Additional note
Hydrogenated oil, 2% or less.
Family watchlist
Partially hydrogenated oil many users track.
Yellow 6Concern 8/10 — Higher concernColor additiveWatchlist · Additive · Higher concern
What this is
Color additive
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Artificial dyes are a common family watchlist item.
Additional note
Artificial color.
Family watchlist
Artificial color many users prefer to avoid.
Blue 1Concern 8/10 — Higher concernColor additiveWatchlist · Additive · Higher concern
What this is
Color additive
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Artificial dyes are a common family watchlist item.
Additional note
Artificial color.
Family watchlist
Artificial color many users prefer to avoid.
Red 40Concern 8/10 — Higher concernColor additiveWatchlist · Additive · Higher concern
What this is
Color additive
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Artificial dyes are a common family watchlist item.
Additional note
Artificial color.
Family watchlist
Artificial color many users prefer to avoid.
View all 32 ingredient assessments
BHT for freshnessConcern 7/10 — Higher concernPreservativeWatchlist · Additive
What this is
Preservative
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
Synthetic preservatives are added to extend shelf life.
Additional note
Synthetic antioxidant preservative.
Family watchlist
Synthetic preservative many users track.
Soluble corn fiberConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernIsolated fiber
What this is
Isolated fiber
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Processing
Why it matters
Isolated fiber used to boost fiber claims in refined foods.
Additional note
Refined corn-derived isolated fiber.
Modified corn starchConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernModified starchWatchlist · Additive
What this is
Modified starch
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
Modified starches are texture engineering inputs.
Additional note
Chemically modified starch for texture.
Family watchlist
Modified starch often used for texture engineering.
Natural flavorConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernVague ingredientWatchlist · Additive · Vague label term
What this is
Vague ingredient
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Vague flavor systems hide specific sources and processing.
Additional note
Vague flavor system.
Family watchlist
Vague flavor system many users want to know about.
SugarConcern 4/10 — Mild concernSweetenerWatchlist
What this is
Sweetener
Processing category
Natural refined
Main concern area
Ingredient concern
Why it matters
Refined sugar is a leading ingredient in this cereal's sweetness.
Additional note
Refined sweetener, high in the list.
Family watchlist
Refined sweetener many users track.
Oat fiberConcern 4/10 — Mild concernIsolated fiber
What this is
Isolated fiber
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Processing
Why it matters
Isolated fibers are added to rebuild fiber content.
Additional note
Isolated fiber added for formulation.
Turmeric colorConcern 4/10 — Mild concernColor additiveAdditive
What this is
Color additive
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
Added for color rather than nutrition.
Additional note
Plant-derived color additive.
Wheat flourConcern 3/10 — Mild concernRefined grain
What this is
Refined grain
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Processing
Why it matters
Refined flour is common but less whole than whole-grain options.
Additional note
Refined wheat flour base.
Apple juice concentrateConcern 3/10 — Mild concernSweetener
What this is
Sweetener
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Ingredient concern
Why it matters
Concentrated juice adds sugar-driven sweetness.
Additional note
Concentrated juice adds sweetness.
CornstarchConcern 3/10 — Mild concernStarch
What this is
Starch
Processing category
Natural refined
Main concern area
Processing
Why it matters
Refined starch used for texture.
Additional note
Refined starch.
Corn flour blend (whole grain yellow corn flour, degerminated yellow corn flour)Concern 2/10 — Very low concernRefined grain
What this is
Refined grain
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Processing
Why it matters
Degermination separates parts of the grain, a mild refinement.
Additional note
Blend of corn flours, partly degerminated.
Milled cornConcern 2/10 — Very low concernMilled grain
What this is
Milled grain
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Processing
Why it matters
Milling is category-normal for cereal grains.
Additional note
Ground corn.
Baking sodaConcern 2/10 — Very low concernLeavening agentAdditive
What this is
Leavening agent
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
Common baking ingredient used for lift.
Additional note
Leavening agent.
Dried applesConcern 1/10 — Very low concernSimple food
What this is
Simple food
Processing category
Whole food
Why it matters
Recognizable fruit ingredient.
Additional note
Dried fruit pieces.
Vitamin C (sodium ascorbate and ascorbic acid)Concern 1/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificant
What this is
Vitamin fortificant
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Why it matters
Fortification ingredient, low concern on its own.
Additional note
Added vitamin.
NiacinamideConcern 1/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificant
What this is
Vitamin fortificant
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Why it matters
Fortification ingredient, low concern on its own.
Additional note
Added vitamin B3.
Reduced ironConcern 1/10 — Very low concernMineral fortificant
What this is
Mineral fortificant
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Why it matters
Fortification ingredient, low concern on its own.
Additional note
Added mineral.
Zinc oxideConcern 1/10 — Very low concernMineral fortificant
What this is
Mineral fortificant
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Why it matters
Fortification ingredient, low concern on its own.
Additional note
Added mineral.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride)Concern 1/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificant
What this is
Vitamin fortificant
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Why it matters
Fortification ingredient, low concern on its own.
Additional note
Added vitamin.
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)Concern 1/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificant
What this is
Vitamin fortificant
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Why it matters
Fortification ingredient, low concern on its own.
Additional note
Added vitamin.
Vitamin B1 (thiamin hydrochloride)Concern 1/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificant
What this is
Vitamin fortificant
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Why it matters
Fortification ingredient, low concern on its own.
Additional note
Added vitamin.
Vitamin A palmitateConcern 1/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificant
What this is
Vitamin fortificant
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Why it matters
Fortification ingredient, low concern on its own.
Additional note
Added vitamin.
Folic acidConcern 1/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificant
What this is
Vitamin fortificant
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Why it matters
Fortification ingredient, low concern on its own.
Additional note
Added vitamin.
Vitamin DConcern 1/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificant
What this is
Vitamin fortificant
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Why it matters
Fortification ingredient, low concern on its own.
Additional note
Added vitamin.
Vitamin B12Concern 1/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificant
What this is
Vitamin fortificant
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Why it matters
Fortification ingredient, low concern on its own.
Additional note
Added vitamin.
Whole grain oat flourConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernWhole grain
What this is
Whole grain
Processing category
Whole food
Why it matters
Whole grain adds recognizable integrity to the base.
Additional note
Whole grain oat flour.
SaltConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food
What this is
Simple food
Processing category
Whole food
Why it matters
Common and simple seasoning.
Additional note
Basic seasoning.
CinnamonConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food
What this is
Simple food
Processing category
Whole food
Why it matters
Recognizable spice with simple profile.
Additional note
Spice, recognizable.
KarbCoach Food Integrity is an ingredient-based estimate of how closely a food resembles a simple, recognizable profile. It is not a medical or safety rating. Formulations can vary by region, size, and packaging. Check the package label for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. Not medical advice — do not use this site or the KarbCoach mobile app for allergy or health decisions.
How this product may fit different goals
The same food can look different depending on what matters most to you. Here is a general preview of how this product may align with several common goals.
Low-Spike Stability
Watch-outsMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Low-Spike Stability, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Sweetener/sugar on watchlist (see Food Integrity)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
GLP-1 Eating Support
Watch-outsMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing GLP-1 Eating Support, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Sweetener/sugar ingredients (Mentions "sugar". See ingredients for details.)
Low Sugar Lifestyle
Watch-outsMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Low Sugar Lifestyle, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Sweetener/sugar on watchlist (see Food Integrity)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Appetite & Portion Awareness
Watch-outsMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Appetite & Portion Awareness, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Sweetener/sugar ingredients (Mentions "sugar". See ingredients for details.)
Vegetarian
SupportiveDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Vegetarian, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Plant-food ingredients (Mentions "oat", "apple". See ingredients for details.)
Vegan
SupportiveDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Vegan, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Plant-food ingredients (Mentions "oat", "apple". See ingredients for details.)
Plant-Based
SupportiveDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Plant-Based, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.
A supportive signal: Plant-food ingredients (Mentions "oat", "apple". See ingredients for details.)
Low-Carb Lifestyle
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Low-Carb Lifestyle, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Carb-dense ingredients (Mentions "flour", "wheat flour", "corn starch". See ingredients for details.)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Keto-Style Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Keto-Style Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Carb-dense ingredients (Mentions "flour", "wheat flour", "corn starch". See ingredients for details.)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Low Gluten Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Low Gluten Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Gluten-related ingredients (Mentions "wheat". See ingredients for details.)
Minimally Processed Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Minimally Processed Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Higher processing level (Ultra-processed)
This product has 3 additional signals for this goal.
Whole-Food Focused Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Whole-Food Focused Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Higher processing level (Ultra-processed)
This product has 3 additional signals for this goal.
Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Higher processing level (Ultra-processed)
This product has 3 additional signals for this goal.
Paleo-Style Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Paleo-Style Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Grain/legume ingredients (Mentions "wheat", "flour", "oat". See ingredients for details.)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Heart-Healthy Eating
NeutralMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Heart-Healthy Eating, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Athletic Fueling
NeutralAthletic Performance
For someone prioritizing Athletic Fueling, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Workout Recovery
NeutralAthletic Performance
For someone prioritizing Workout Recovery, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Strength & Protein Focus
NeutralAthletic Performance
For someone prioritizing Strength & Protein Focus, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Pescatarian
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Pescatarian, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Mediterranean-Style Eating
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Mediterranean-Style Eating, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Healthy Fat Focus
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Healthy Fat Focus, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
See how this product fits your goals
Choose what matters most to you and explore a more detailed interpretation of this product's nutrition, ingredients, and tradeoffs.
Understanding the Food Integrity analysis
What the Food Integrity analysis evaluates
The Food Integrity analysis focuses on how a packaged food is formulated and made. It examines processing level, ingredient quality, additives, oils, sweeteners, purity cues, and how clearly a label communicates what is in the product. The Food Integrity Score summarizes that formulation and transparency picture on a 0–100 scale. It is not a full nutrient report and it is not a personalized meal plan.
Why processing, ingredients, and transparency matter
Processing level and ingredient quality shape what you are actually eating beyond calories on the label. Additives, industrial oils, and intense sweeteners can change how clean or heavily engineered a product feels, even when the front of pack looks wholesome. Purity and transparency matter because incomplete or marketing-heavy labeling can hide tradeoffs that only show up when the full ingredient list is reviewed carefully.
Who may prioritize Food Integrity
Some people care mainly about Food Integrity because their dietary goals center on formulation rather than macros alone. Examples include checking vegetarian or vegan suitability, preferring simpler ingredient sources, avoiding certain additives or sweeteners, watching oil choices, or preferring less processed options. For those priorities, the Food Integrity Score can be the more practical first read.
How Food Integrity differs from Longevity
Food Integrity is the focused analysis of processing, ingredients, additives, purity, and transparency. Longevity is the broader analysis of nutritional composition, metabolic and dietary characteristics, processing, and ingredient quality together. Favorable nutrition values do not necessarily mean strong Food Integrity: a product can look balanced on macros yet still rely on heavy processing or additives that the Food Integrity analysis flags in more detail.
Why the two analyses overlap—and why to review Longevity too
The analyses overlap intentionally. Food Integrity–related characteristics contribute to Longevity, and Longevity still benefits from the same ingredient-quality lens. They are not competing verdicts; they answer different questions at different depths. Reviewing the Longevity analysis can add information about nutritional composition, metabolic characteristics, and dietary balance that Food Integrity alone does not emphasize. Looking at both usually gives the most complete understanding of tradeoffs.
Common questions about this product
Is Apple Jacks Sweetened Three-Grain Cereal With Apple & Cinnamon highly processed?
Food Integrity lists processing level as Ultra-processed. That reflects formulation and processing signals from the ingredient analysis — not a medical or regulatory classification.
How much fiber is in one serving?
Apple Jacks Sweetened Three-Grain Cereal With Apple & Cinnamon shows about 2g of fiber per labeled serving in the Longevity nutrition facts.
Does it contain added sugar?
Apple Jacks Sweetened Three-Grain Cereal With Apple & Cinnamon: 11g added sugar per serving; sweetener signals include Sugar, Apple juice concentrate. Confirm the current package Nutrition Facts and ingredient list.
What helped the Longevity Score?
Key positives called out in the analysis include: Contains whole grain oat and whole grain corn flour; Provides some fiber (2g per serving); Low saturated fat (0.5g).
What prevented a perfect Longevity Score?
Key concerns noted include: Sugar is the first ingredient; 11g sugar per serving; Artificial colors Yellow 6, Blue 1, Red 40; Partially hydrogenated oil and BHT preservative.
Who might evaluate this product differently?
People prioritizing different goals (for example lower carbs, higher protein, or minimally processed eating) may weigh the same breakfast & cereal differently. Use the goal preview on this page, then personalize in KarbCoach for your priorities.
Source data and Healthy Food Guide analysis
- Public label databases (including USDA FoodData Central and Open Food Facts) — Possible sources for package ingredients and nutrition.
- Healthy Food Guide analysis (Longevity and Food Integrity) — Independent Longevity and Food Integrity scorecards.
- How the Longevity Score is calculated
- How the Food Integrity Score is calculated
- Scoring models: KarbCoach Longevity and Food Integrity.
- Independent analysis. No manufacturer affiliation.
- Formulations can vary by region, size, and packaging. Check the package label for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. Not medical advice — do not use this site or the KarbCoach mobile app for allergy or health decisions. Full sources and safety details.
Label accuracy and safety information
Formulations can vary by region, size, and packaging. Check the package label for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. Not medical advice — do not use this site or the KarbCoach mobile app for allergy or health decisions.
See how this item lines up with your goals
Healthy Food Guide covers this product in detail. In KarbCoach, your goals shape what matters most for your meals.
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