Healthy Food Guideby KarbCoach

Healthy Food Guide by KarbCoach

Key Food Sugar Frosted Flakes: Food Integrity analysis

Updated 2026-10-17 · Key Food

Quick answer

Mixed integrity

Key Food sugar frosted flakes received a Food Integrity Score of 68 out of 100 (mixed integrity). This reflects highly processed and moderate additive load. This is a fortified, sugar-forward corn cereal rather than a whole-grain one. The label is short and fairly recognizable, but the refined corn meal, sugar, and malt extract do most of the work, and the vitamin stack signals formulation. It fits best as an occasional breakfast rather than a daily staple. Main considerations include sugar and malt extract add concentrated sweetness, refined degermed corn meal as the base, and heavy vitamin fortification signals a formulated product. Simpler options: Choose whole-grain cereals with less added sugar; pair with fresh fruit or plain yogurt to lower sweetness.

Food Integrity Score 68/100

What stood out on the label?

  • Highly processed
  • Moderate additive load
  • Transparency: High

What to watch?

  • Sugar and malt extract add concentrated sweetness
  • Refined degermed corn meal as the base
  • Heavy vitamin fortification signals a formulated product

Simpler options to consider

  • Choose whole-grain cereals with less added sugar
  • Pair with fresh fruit or plain yogurt to lower sweetness

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
Key Food Sugar Frosted Flakes
Category
Breakfast & Cereal (source: Cereal)
GTIN / UPC
00073296057065
Serving size
31 g (0.75 cup)
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

Sugar Frosted Flakes

Key Food

Mixed integrity

Warning Signs

Sugar sits second on the list, and malt extract adds another sweet layer to a cereal already built on refined corn meal.

Consider This

Vitamin-fortified degermed corn meal plus sugar and malt extract is the classic profile of a factory-formulated breakfast cereal.

Good Substitutes

Plain rolled oats or whole-grain cereal with fresh fruit and a sprinkle of cinnamon keeps the crunch without the sugar load.

Overall Assessment

Mixed integrity

This is a fortified, sugar-forward corn cereal rather than a whole-grain one. The label is short and fairly recognizable, but the refined corn meal, sugar, and malt extract do most of the work, and the vitamin stack signals formulation. It fits best as an occasional breakfast rather than a daily staple.

Key Highlights

Higher Concern Ingredient Count0

What stood out

  • Sugar and malt extract add concentrated sweetness
  • Refined degermed corn meal as the base
  • Heavy vitamin fortification signals a formulated product

Family Watchlist

Ingredients some users may personally want to know about.

  • Sugar — Refined sweetener many users want to track
  • Malt Extract — Concentrated sweetener adding to sugar load

Highest concern ingredients

  • Sugar (4/10) — Refined sweetener and major sugar source
  • Malt Extract (4/10) — Concentrated sweetener adding to total sugar
  • Degermed Yellow Corn Meal (3/10) — Refined grain with the germ and bran removed

Better choice tips

  • Choose whole-grain cereals with less added sugar
  • Pair with fresh fruit or plain yogurt to lower sweetness

Ingredients

Ingredient list

DEGERMED YELLOW CORN MEAL, SUGAR, SALT, MALT EXTRACT, VITAMIN C (SODIUM ASCORBATE, ASCORBIC ACID), IRON (FERROUS FUMARATE), VITAMIN A (PALMITATE), NIACINAMIDE, VITAMIN B1 (THIAMINE MONONITRATE), VITAMIN B6 (PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE), VITAMIN B2 (RIBOFLAVIN), VITAMIN D (CHOLECALCIFEROL), FOLIC ACID, VITAMIN B12 (CYANOCOBALAMIN).

Formulations can vary — check the package label for the final word.

Highest-concern ingredients first. Expand an item for notes.

  1. SugarConcern 4/10 — Mild concernSweetenerWatchlist

    What this is

    Sweetener

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Family Watchlist

    Why it matters

    Added sugar is a common reason users want to track cereal choices.

    Additional note

    Refined sweetener and a major contributor to sugar content.

    Family watchlist

    Refined sweetener commonly flagged by users.

  2. Malt ExtractConcern 4/10 — Mild concernSweetenerWatchlist

    What this is

    Sweetener

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Ingredient concern

    Why it matters

    Adds another concentrated sweet ingredient on top of sugar.

    Additional note

    Barley-derived sweet syrup adding extra sugar and processing.

    Family watchlist

    Concentrated sweetener adding to sugar load.

  3. Degermed Yellow Corn MealConcern 3/10 — Mild concernRefined grain

    What this is

    Refined grain

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Ingredient concern

    Why it matters

    Refined corn has less of the original grain structure than whole corn.

    Additional note

    Degermed corn meal removes the germ and bran, leaving refined starch.

  4. Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbate, Ascorbic Acid)Concern 2/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificantAdditive

    What this is

    Vitamin fortificant

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Added vitamins signal a fortified, formulated product.

    Additional note

    Added vitamin used for fortification and stability.

View all 14 ingredient assessments
  1. Iron (Ferrous Fumarate)Concern 2/10 — Very low concernMineral fortificantAdditive

    What this is

    Mineral fortificant

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Mineral fortification adds to the formulated nature of the product.

    Additional note

    Added mineral used to fortify the cereal.

  2. Vitamin A (Palmitate)Concern 2/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificantAdditive

    What this is

    Vitamin fortificant

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Added vitamins signal a fortified, formulated product.

    Additional note

    Added vitamin used for fortification.

  3. NiacinamideConcern 2/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificantAdditive

    What this is

    Vitamin fortificant

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Added B vitamins signal a fortified, formulated product.

    Additional note

    Added B vitamin used for fortification.

  4. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine Mononitrate)Concern 2/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificantAdditive

    What this is

    Vitamin fortificant

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Added B vitamins signal a fortified, formulated product.

    Additional note

    Added B vitamin used for fortification.

  5. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride)Concern 2/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificantAdditive

    What this is

    Vitamin fortificant

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Added B vitamins signal a fortified, formulated product.

    Additional note

    Added B vitamin used for fortification.

  6. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)Concern 2/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificantAdditive

    What this is

    Vitamin fortificant

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Added B vitamins signal a fortified, formulated product.

    Additional note

    Added B vitamin used for fortification and color.

  7. Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol)Concern 2/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificantAdditive

    What this is

    Vitamin fortificant

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Added vitamins signal a fortified, formulated product.

    Additional note

    Added vitamin used for fortification.

  8. Folic AcidConcern 2/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificantAdditive

    What this is

    Vitamin fortificant

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Added B vitamins signal a fortified, formulated product.

    Additional note

    Added B vitamin used for fortification.

  9. Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)Concern 2/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificantAdditive

    What this is

    Vitamin fortificant

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Added B vitamins signal a fortified, formulated product.

    Additional note

    Added B vitamin used for fortification.

  10. SaltConcern 1/10 — Very low concernSeasoning

    What this is

    Seasoning

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Why it matters

    Simple seasoning with low concern at this level.

    Additional note

    Common seasoning used in small amounts.

This Food Integrity score estimates how close a food appears to a simple, recognizable ingredient profile. It is not a medical safety rating or nutritional advice. 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-outs

    Metabolic 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.

    See more for this goal

  • GLP-1 Eating Support

    Watch-outs

    Metabolic 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.)

    See more for this goal

  • Low Sugar Lifestyle

    Watch-outs

    Metabolic 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.

    See more for this goal

  • Appetite & Portion Awareness

    Watch-outs

    Metabolic 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.)

    See more for this goal

  • Low-Carb Lifestyle

    Watch-outs

    Dietary 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 "sugar". See ingredients for details.)

    This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.

    See more for this goal

  • Keto-Style Eating

    Watch-outs

    Dietary 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 "sugar". See ingredients for details.)

    This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.

    See more for this goal

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.

Personalize this analysis

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 Key Food Sugar Frosted Flakes highly processed?

Food Integrity lists processing level as Highly processed. That reflects formulation and processing signals from the ingredient analysis — not a medical or regulatory classification.

Why are the Longevity and Food Integrity scores different?

Longevity emphasizes nutrition per serving and longer-term dietary alignment. Food Integrity emphasizes ingredients, additives, processing, and label transparency. The same product can score differently on those lenses.

How much fiber is in one serving?

Key Food Sugar Frosted Flakes shows about 0.99g of fiber per labeled serving in the Longevity nutrition facts.

Does it contain added sugar?

Key Food Sugar Frosted Flakes: 13g added sugar per serving; sweetener signals include Sugar, Malt extract. Confirm the current package Nutrition Facts and ingredient list.

What helped the Longevity Score?

Key positives called out in the analysis include: Fortified with several vitamins and iron; Very low saturated fat; Low sodium for a cereal.

What prevented a perfect Longevity Score?

Key concerns noted include: Sugar is a top ingredient; high added sugar per serving; Degermed corn meal is refined with low fiber; Ultra-processed, fortified cereal format.

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.

Other published analyses in Breakfast & Cereal, selected from the same Healthy Food Guide catalog.

Source data and Healthy Food Guide analysis

  1. Public label databases (including USDA FoodData Central and Open Food Facts) — Possible sources for package ingredients and nutrition.
  2. Healthy Food Guide analysis (Longevity and Food Integrity) — Independent Longevity and Food Integrity scorecards.
  3. How the Longevity Score is calculated
  4. How the Food Integrity Score is calculated
  5. Scoring models: KarbCoach Longevity and Food Integrity.
  6. Independent analysis. No manufacturer affiliation.
  7. 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.

Sources, citations & safety

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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