Many believe breakfast is the most important meal of the day and that it sets you up for the rest of the day.
So many people put a bit of thought into what they put into their bodies in the mornings. Cereals, muesli, cereal bars, and porridge are popular breakfast options, and there is a huge variety on the market.
Nutri-Grain and Weetbix are two more popular options – but what is the difference? Is one of them more nutritious or tastier?
Nutri-Grain
The Company Behind Nutri-Grain And A Short Overview
Nutri Grain is part of the Kellog family.
Nutri Grain is the name for soft-baked cereal bars with a fruity filling in the USA. In New Zealand and Australia, however, you will also find a wholegrain cereal with that name (it’s block-shaped with holes in it).
Nutri Grain has been around since 1976 as a cereal brand.
Ingredients
The ingredients differ slightly from flavor to flavor. For example, I have chosen Nutri Grain Apple Cinnamon as this is one of the most popular. The ingredient list is quite overwhelming.
Crust
Whole grain oats, enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, vitamin B1 [thiamin mononitrate], vitamin B2 [riboflavin], folic acid), soybean oil, whole wheat flour, sugar, dextrose, fructose, calcium carbonate, vegetable glycerin, invert sugar, whey, soluble corn fiber, salt, cellulose, natural flavor, potassium bicarbonate, cinnamon, vitamin and mineral blend (salt, niacinamide, reduced iron, zinc oxide, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin B1 [thiamin hydrochloride], vitamin B6 [pyridoxine hydrochloride], vitamin B2 [riboflavin]), wheat bran, mono- and diglycerides, soy lecithin, wheat gluten, carrageenan, guar gum.
Filling
Invert sugar, corn syrup, apple puree concentrate, vegetable glycerin, sugar, modified food starch, sodium alginate, malic acid, sodium citrate, methylcellulose, dicalcium phosphate, cinnamon, citric acid.
Flavors
Nutri Grain bars are available in eight different flavors
- Apple Cinnamon
- Raspberry
- Mixed Berry
- Cherry
- Strawberry
- Blueberry
- Apple & Carrot
- Strawberry & Squash
Where Can I Buy Nutri Grain?
Nutri Grain bars can be found in various stores, including Walmart, Target, and most grocery stores. To find a store close to you, click “Where to buy” on the official Nutri Grain website.
Of course, you can also order Nutri Grain online. Here is an option on Amazon of the Nutri Grain Soft Baked Breakfast Bars in Strawberry flavour.
This option is a great value deal, the Nutri Grain breakfast bars variety box, it includes 48 bars but gives you more flavors, so you don’t have to eat the same flavor every day. The flavors in this box are Strawberry, blueberry, and Apple Cinnamon.
Weetbix
The Company Behind Weetbix And A Short History
Weetbix is part of the Sanitarium Health Food Company.
Weetbix was first sold in the 1920s when deliveries were still made by horse and cart. Since then, Weetbix has become the favorite breakfast cereal in Australia and New Zealand but has also taken other parts of the world by storm.
Ingredients
Weetbix comes in different varieties. This ingredient list is for Weetbix Original.
Wholegrain wheat (97%), raw sugar, salt, barley malt extract, vitamins (niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, folate), and mineral (iron).
You already see that the ingredient list is much shorter than Nutri Grain’s.
Flavors
Weetbix also has a nice selection of flavors. You can choose between
- Weetbix Original
- Weetbix Organic
- Weetbix Honey & Golden Oats
- Weetbix Multigrain
- Weetbix Cranberry & Coconut
- Weetbix Apricot Bites
- Weetbix Wild Berry Bites
- Weetbix Honey Crunch
Weetbix also offers a line with added benefits, e.g., Weetbix for Kids and cholesterol-lowering Weetbix.
Is Weetbix The Same As Weetabix?
Depending on where you live in the world, you might be confused – but Weetbix and Weetabix are the same product with a slightly different name and only minimal difference in their nutritional values.
Weetbix is an Australian product, while Weetabix is the equivalent from the U.K. The Australian Weetbix was first sold in the 1920s, while Weetabix was introduced to the world in the 1930s.
Where Can I Buy Weetbix?
Weetbix (or Weetabix) is available in some grocery stores and stores like Walmart and Target.
You can also order Weetbix online. Examples are a big 1.35kg packet of Weetabix original flavor: This packet includes 72 biscuits, which should last a while.
Weetabix Organic is a great option for a slower release of energy. These will keep you fuelled for a longer time.
Nutri-Grain vs Weetbix Comparison Questions:
Which Is More Affordable?
Cost is always an important factor in purchase decisions, so which of the two options is more affordable?
As they both come in different packages, it’s hard to make a direct comparison, so I decided to look at the cost per oz.
Bar | Cost Per Oz (prices are always changing) |
Nutri Grain | 27.3 cents per Oz |
Weetbix | $1.48 per Oz |
On average, Nutri Grain bars cost 28 cents per oz. Weetbix is a clear loser here, as 1 oz of Weetbix costs about $1.48 on average. Remember prices are always changing and that costs can always change. You may find discounts for each product at different grocery stores, so keep your head up looking for them!
Which Is More Convenient?
You can beat Nutri Grain bars when it comes to convenience. You open the package and eat the breakfast bar. There’s no mess, no need for cutlery and bowls, and no need for washing up. It is perfect for the on-the-go.
Weetbix, on the other hand, needs some preparation. The biscuits aren’t that great eaten straight out of the box. You need to add them into a bowl with some milk.
Which Has The Better Nutrition Values?
To see which has the better nutritional values, I made a table to show them side-by-side. So, let’s have a look.
Weetbix Original | Nutri Grain Apple Cinnamon | |
Serving size | 2 biscuits (31g) | 1 bar (37g) |
Energy (cal) | 110 | 130 |
Protein | 3.8g | 2g |
Fat | 0.4g | 3.5g |
Carbohydrates | 20.4g (of which 0.9g sugar) | 25g (of which 13g sugar) |
Dietary Fiber | 4g | 1g |
Sodium | 84mg | 125mg |
Potassium | 113mg | 80mg |
Thiamin (Vitamin B1) | 0.55mg | 0.075mg |
Riboflavin (Vitamin B12) | 0.43mg | 0.1mg |
Niacin (Vitamin B3) | 2.5mg | – |
Folate | 69µg | – |
Iron | 3mg | 0.75mg |
Magnesium | 32mg | – |
Even if you aren’t a nutrition specialist, it’s easy to see that Weetbix is the better choice if you are looking for a healthy breakfast option.
Compared to Nutri Grain, Weetbix has less sugar, fewer calories, less fat, and less sodium. In addition, Weetbix has more vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein.
Which Is Suitable For Vegans?
Nutri Grain bars are not suitable for vegans as they contain whey and may contain other animal-derived products (unspecified “natural” flavorings).
Most Weetbix products are suitable for vegans, apart from the flavors “Weetbix Honey Crunch” and “Weetbix Honey & Golden Oats,” as these contain honey which is not suitable for vegans.
Which Is Gluten-Free?
While the original Weebix isn’t gluten-free, Weetbix has a gluten-free option. It is a great option for people who can’t have gluten.
Unlike many other options, Weetbix gluten-free isn’t highly processed. It’s made with an ancient grain called Sorghum. This is naturally gluten-free, so it doesn’t need any processing to take the gluten out.
Nutri grain bars, on the other hand, are not gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
If I had to choose, Weetbix would be my preference. While they aren’t as convenient as Nutri Grain, Weetbix is healthier and more versatile. You can eat it with milk only, add some fruit, or turn it into a little treat by adding some cocoa powder or chocolate syrup (of course, that would defeat the idea of having a healthy breakfast, I know).
Nutri Grain are tasty, there’s no denying that – but they wouldn’t be something I want to have for breakfast every day.