Breakfast cereals can be served easily and provide sufficient energy at the beginning of a new day, this is what parents used to think about this inoffensive, ready-to-eat meal. Cereals are one of the most popular forms of breakfast in the U.S. and in other parts of the world. But a new study suggests that some cereals might not be just as “inoffensive” as they may seem. Eating a bowl of cereals may be equivalent to consuming a plate of cookies and biscuits.

Studies show the average number of packs of cereals per household is approximately five, with households with children having even more of these packs. Dieticians recommend eating breakfast cereals, saying they are excellent sources of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates. They help maintain a healthy digestive tract, may help protect against cancer of the colon, and reduce the risk of becoming overweight and developing type 2 diabetes.

All good for now… Except for some minor things revealed by an investigation from Consumer Reports, which comes to blow some parts of the cereal myth. The danger is not a deadly chemical hidden in the delicious cereals, but rather the high levels of sugar – some brands have more that 50 percent sugar by weight, and low levels of dietary fiber. The problem with cereals doesn’t only come from the fact that they contain a lot of sugar, but also from the fact that people often eat 50 to 65 percent more than the suggested serving size, intensifying the effect of the sugar. With these details in mind, the promise that cereals may reduce the risk of obesity and of developing type 2 diabetes remains just a dream.

The report, to be published in the November issue of the magazine, analyzed 27 brands of cereals and found out that a serving of 11 popular cereals, including Kellogg’s Honey Smacks, carries as much sugar as a glazed doughnut. Post Golden Crisp made by Kraft Foods Inc and Kellogg’s Honey Smacks are more than 50 percent sugar by weight, the report found.

Froot Loops, Corn Pops, Rice Krispies, Cocoa Krispies, and Apple Jacks were among lowest-rated cereals, with 12 grams of sugar, one gram of fiber and 135-200 milligrams of sodium in a 3/4 coup of serving. The report also found that some brands contain even more sugar when made for consumers in the U.S. than for consumers in other countries. For example, Honey Smacks sold in Germany, Slovenia and Switzerland are about 40 percent sugar, compared with 55 percent sugar in the U.S. product.

The report offers some suggestions as well as directions to choose the best cereals. The list of cereals rated as “Very Good” breakfast choices included Cheerios (General Mills) with just 1 gram of sugar, 3 grams of fiber, and 190 milligrams of sodium, Kix (General Mills), with 3 grams of sugar, 3 grams of fiber, and 210 milligrams of sodium, Life (Quarter Oats), which has 6 grams of sugar, 2 grams of fiber, and 160 milligrams of sodium, and Honey Nut Cheerios (General Mills) with 9 grams of sugar, 2 grams of fiber, and 190 milligrams of sodium.

The solution suggested by Gayle Williams, deputy editor of Consumer Reports Health, is “to read the product labels and choose cereals that are high in fiber and low in sugar and sodium.”