Breakfast is frequently regarded as the most crucial meal of the day, and some Americans are often surprised by what is eaten for breakfast in various parts of the world.
The attachment to cereal often begins in childhood for many, becoming a staple of morning routines.
Whether it’s a quick breakfast before school or a laid-back weekend morning, a bowl of cereal is a common choice.
Some people debate the order of pouring milk or cereal first, but regardless, many enjoy this breakfast staple.
It’s easy to overlook the fact that cereal varies greatly around the world—in both appearance and taste—even when sold under the same brand.
A Reddit post highlighted the color differences between Canadian and American fruit loops, showcasing notable disparities.
The American cereal was described as ‘more vibrant,’ while the Canadian version appeared ‘less bright but more natural.’ The UK version, on the other hand, was described as having ‘four shades of beige.’
On TikTok, creator Joseph DeBenedictis compared US and Canadian Fruit Loops, noting that the US ones resembled ‘candy,’ while the Canadian ones looked more like ‘oatmeal.’
A YouTube video from Insider Food prompted discussions among breakfast enthusiasts, revealing surprising differences between US and UK cereals.
In the video, the host samples various brands from both regions, some being regional variations of the same cereal.
The video also noted that US cereal bags tend to be larger, with the largest UK bag offering 9.5 servings compared to 15 in the US.
Flavor options also differ, with the US having multiple exclusive varieties not found in the UK.
One YouTuber remarked, “You guys are ignoring the fact that cereal in the UK is considerably healthier than cereal in the US due to high fructose corn syrup not being added.”
Another commenter reflected, “As a kid I was upset my Mom would not let me eat any of these cereals. As an adult, I am so thankful. It blows me away how much sugar is in cereal, even the ‘healthy’ ones.”
Someone else added, “It’s insane to me the number of breakfast foods that are banned in other countries but are widely available here.”
Another comment noted, “There are so many unnecessary flavors in the US lol, just add cinnamon or fruit to regular ones if you want.”
The differences in cereal often stem from varying international food production laws.
In the US, food products are often more colorful due to added dyes and colorings during manufacturing.
In many other countries, such food dyes are banned or heavily regulated due to potential health risks, including hyperactivity and cancer.
Among the most scrutinized dyes are Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6.
Recently, the FDA announced plans to phase out eight artificial food dyes from the US food supply over the next two years.
While the vibrant colors of your cereal might become less pronounced, this change could be beneficial given the potential health concerns.