Quick answer
Cheerios is slightly less processed with fewer ingredients and significantly less sugar (1g vs 8g per serving). Both are Level 4 extruded cereals, but Cheerios has a shorter ingredient list and avoids some of the added sugars that Life includes. Neither is minimally processed.
Processing levels can vary significantly between brands and specific products within each category. Always check the ingredient list of the specific product you are considering. Use our product search to look up exact processing scores. These comparisons evaluate processing level and ingredient composition only. They do not account for taste, price, convenience, cultural significance, or individual dietary needs.
How do they compare by the numbers?
Sample products from each
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Frequently asked questions
Is Life cereal made by General Mills?
No. Life is a Quaker Oats cereal, and Quaker is owned by PepsiCo. Cheerios is the General Mills cereal in this comparison. Both are oat-based and both are extruded, which is why they are so often compared.
Is Life Cereal a healthy choice?
Life Cereal has 8g of sugar per serving, better than Frosted Flakes (12g) but much more than Cheerios (1g). It uses whole grain oat flour as its base but also includes sugar, corn flour, and oat fiber. It is a Level 4 extruded cereal, comparable in processing to most mainstream cereals.