Key findings
- 1The raisins are coated with sugar syrup, glycerin, and oil; they are not simply dried fruit
- 2A serving can contain 17-19 grams of total sugar, rivaling many overtly sweetened cereals
- 3The bran flake base is whole grain wheat, placing it above many refined flour cereals in grain quality
Why is Raisin Bran Level 3 on average?
The bran flakes themselves are made from whole grain wheat, which is a positive base ingredient. However, the raisins are coated in a sugar syrup (sugar, glycerin, and sunflower oil) to prevent clumping, and additional sugar is added to the bran flakes. A single serving can contain 17-19 grams of sugar, which is high for a bran cereal. The processing is less extreme than cereals with artificial colors or modified starches. In our analysis, Raisin Bran products average a Processing Score of 6.0, which is Level 3.
How 185 raisin bran products break down
Share of products at each processing level, in our analysis.
Raisin Bran brand comparison
From least to most processed in our database.
How to read a raisin bran label
- 1
Check the sugar content per serving; it is often higher than expected, typically 17-19 grams including the raisin coating
- 2
Look for the raisin ingredients specifically, which usually include sugar, glycerin, and sunflower oil as a coating
- 3
Note whether the whole grain wheat is listed first, indicating it is the primary ingredient by weight
- 4
Compare the sugar content to other "healthy" cereals to put the numbers in context
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Frequently asked questions
Is Raisin Bran ultra-processed?
In our analysis, Raisin Bran products average a Processing Score of 6.0, which is Level 3. It avoids the artificial colors and modified starches found in many cereals, but its sugar content, especially from the sugar-coated raisins, pushes it beyond basic processing.
Why is Raisin Bran so high in sugar?
Much of the sugar comes from the raisin coating, which includes sugar, glycerin, and sunflower oil. Additional sugar is added to the bran flakes themselves. Combined, a serving can deliver 17-19 grams of sugar.
Is Raisin Bran actually healthy?
Raisin Bran provides whole grain wheat, dietary fiber, and raisins with naturally occurring nutrients. However, its sugar content per serving is comparable to many sweetened cereals, so checking the label for your preferred serving size is important.
What are the ingredients in Raisin Bran?
The main ingredients are whole grain wheat, raisins (with sugar, glycerin, and sunflower oil coating), wheat bran, sugar, brown sugar syrup, salt, and added vitamins and minerals.