Skip to Content

Multigrain Cheerios vs Oatmeal (Which is Better)

Cheerios and Oatmeal are synonymous with a healthy breakfast. Both are heart-healthy and gluten-free. Cheerios, however, have evolved over the years and now offer a variety of flavors. The most popular variety is Multigrain Cheerios.

Because Multigrain Cheerios have more added ingredients than regular Cheerios, is it a healthy breakfast food? How does it compare to Old Fashioned Oatmeal?

The best way to know for sure is to do a side-by-side comparison. In this article, I will compare General Mills Multigrain Cheerios against Quaker Oats Old Fashioned Rolled Oats. By the end of the article, you will be able to make an informed decision as to which one is right for you and your health concerns.

Multigrain Cheerios vs Oatmeal

Multigrain Cheerios vs Oatmeal Nutritional Comparison

Comparing the nutritional information of both Multigrain Cheerios and Oatmeal is the best way to determine which one is the best choice for you. I will be comparing everything from calories, vitamins, and minerals, to taste and price.

The recommended serving sizes of Multigrain Cheerios and Oatmeal are slightly different. Because of this, I will also do a weight-by-weight comparison of each food. Each table below will reflect both serving sizes.

Best for Calorie Content

Our first comparison will begin with the first number listed on the nutrition label after the serving size – calories. Calories are important to count if you are trying to lose weight or maintain a weight loss goal.

Despite a slightly smaller serving size, Multigrain Cheerios contains the same amount of calories as Oatmeal, making it higher in calories.

Food Type

Calories Per Serving

Calories Per 100g

Multigrain Cheerios

150g (39g)

382 kcal

Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

150 (40g)

382 kcal

Best for Carbs & Sugar Content

Carbs and Sugar are the next category. It is important to examine both carbs and sugar because they are added to so many foods and can easily derail a healthy diet.

The added ingredients in Multigrain Cheerios make it susceptible to higher amounts of both carbs and sugar. As you can see from the table below, despite the smaller serving size, Multigrain Cheerios is higher in carbohydrates.

Food Type

Carbs Per Serving

Carbs Per 100g

Multigrain Cheerios

32 (39g)

81 g

Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

27 (40g)

68.7 g

Oatmeal is naturally sugar-free. Multigrain Cheerios have added ingredients that make it significantly higher in sugar content than Oatmeal.

Food Type

Sugar Per Serving

Sugar Per 100g

Multigrain Cheerios

8g (39g)

20.5 g

Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

0g (40g)

0g

Best for Protein Content

Protein is crucial to having a healthy body. It is essential for building and repairing bones and muscles and also for hormones and enzymes.

Both Multigrain Cheerios and Oatmeal are very similar in their protein content but a closer look per serving shows that Oatmeal has a higher protein content.

Food Type

Protein Per Serving

Protein Per 100g

Multigrain Cheerios

3g (39g)

8.23g

Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

5g (40g)

13.5g

Best for Fat Content

When it comes to fat, not all fats are created equal. There are actually four different types of fat: saturated, trans, polyunsaturated, and monounsaturated.

Saturated and trans fat are unhealthy fats that can increase unhealthy cholesterol levels, putting the heart at risk for various diseases, stroke, or even a heart attack.

Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are healthy fats that lower cholesterol levels and are beneficial for the heart as well as for brain and cell growth and function.

Both Multigrain Cheerios and Old Fashioned Rolled Oats are low in fat content. Per serving, Oatmeal is higher in fat content but it is important to note that Oatmeal is higher in good fats, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats.

Food Type

Fat Per Serving

Fat Per 100g

Multigrain Cheerios

1.5g (39g)

4.16g

Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

2.5g (40g)

5.89g

Food Type

Polyunsaturated Fat Per Serving

Monounsaturated Fat Per Serving

Multigrain Cheerios

0.5g (39g)

0.5g (39g)

Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

1g (40g)

1g (40g)

Best for Fiber Content

Fiber content is one of the most crucial categories to consider. Fiber is essential to not only keeping our colon healthy but it is also beneficial to our heart and maintaining a healthy weight.

In this category, both Multigrain Cheerios and Old Fashioned Rolled Oats are very similar in fiber content per serving but Oatmeal does have a higher fiber content per 100g.

Food Type

Dietary Fiber Per Serving

Dietary Fiber Per 100g

Multigrain Cheerios

3g (39g)

8.1g

Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

4g (40g)

10.4g

Best for Sodium/Salt Content

Monitoring daily intake of sodium/salt is a very important part of a heart-healthy diet. Too much sodium can raise blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Oatmeal is a naturally low-sodium food. Multigrain Cheerios, however, is a fortified cereal that has sodium added to its list of ingredients, making it significantly higher in sodium than Oatmeal.

Food Type

Sodium/Salt Per Serving

Sodium/Salt Per 100g

Multigrain Cheerios

150 mg

382 mg

Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

0mg

1 mg

Best for Vitamins/Minerals

Vitamins and minerals are beneficial for every part of our body. Reaching the daily recommended dosage can be difficult but by reading nutrition labels we can get an idea of how well we are doing.

Multigrain Cheerios is a fortified cereal, meaning vitamins and minerals have been added. Oatmeal is not fortified so it is significantly lower in this category than Multigrain Cheerios.

Vitamin/Mineral Type

Multigrain Cheerios Daily Value % Per Serving (39g)

Oatmeal Daily Value % Per Serving (40g)

Calcium

15%

0%

Iron

100%

8%

Potassium

8%

4%

Zinc

100%

0%

Vitamin C

10%

0%

Thiamin

100%

0%

Riboflavin

100%

0%

Pantothenic Acid

100%

0%

Vitamin B6

100%

0%

Folic Acid

100%

0%

Vitamin B12

100%

0%

Vitamin A

10%

0%

Vitamin D

0%

0%

Best for Flavor/Texture

On their own, both Multigrain Cheerios and Oatmeal are rough in texture. While both have the natural sweetness of oats, Multigrain Cheerios has added sugar making it even sweeter.

So if you are looking for something that is sweet, Multigrain Cheerios is your choice. Determining the winner in this category, though, is best left for you to be the judge.

To get a range of opinions, we are taking a poll to see which is the public favorite. Please submit your vote below (no personal information required), and once you vote, you’ll be able to see which is the favorite so far.

Which do you prefer?

Best for Price

Both Multigrain Cheerios and Oatmeal are comparable when it comes to price. Both foods can be found at any grocer with a few dollars difference in price. As with any food item, the price will vary depending on in-store sales or promotions.

A bowl of oatmeal

Overall Winner

After comparing all of the nutritional information for Multigrain Cheerios and Old Fashioned Rolled Oats, it’s not too hard to see who the winner is. Oatmeal.

Oatmeal is not fortified with any extra ingredients and it is naturally low in fat, sodium, and sugar while being high in fiber.

Multigrain Cheerios is still a good option if you are looking for something that is low in calories but is also high in fiber and vitamins and minerals.

At the end of the day, determining the winner in this comparison will depend on what you are looking for in breakfast food and which one you feel tastes better.

Comparison Category

Winner (Multigrain Cheerios vs Oatmeal)

Best for Calorie Content

Both are winners

Best for Carbs and Sugar Content

Oatmeal

Best for Protein Content

Oatmeal

Best for Fat Content

Multigrain Cheerios

Best for Fiber Content

Oatmeal

Best for Sodium/Salt Content

Oatmeal

Best for Vitamins/Minerals

Multigrain Cheerios

Best for Flavor/Texture

Both are winners

Best for Price

Both are winners

Overall Winner

Oatmeal

Related Articles

M&M’s Vs. Skittles (Which is the Best?)

Golden Grahams Vs. Cinnamon Toast Crunch

Aldi Ketchup Vs. Heinz (Which is Best?)

Baked Beans Vs. Kidney Beans (Which are Best?)

Babybel Vs. Cheesestrings (Which is Best?)