Kellogg's Original Corn Flakes
Red flags
No major red flags on the label.
Green flags
- +Green flag: Source of protein (6.7g)
Ingredients, decoded
7 listed- Corn Grits (90%)
- Sugar
- Cereal Extract
- Iodized Salt
- Vitamins
- Antioxidant (INS 307b)
- Minerals
[F] BA3
Our take
CleanPlate reviewA short ingredient list, carried by fortification
Kellogg's Corn Flakes is the breakfast cereal most Indian households know first. Its reputation is light and wholesome, and parts of that hold up better than you might expect.
CleanPlate scores it [F]BA3. The B for nutrition is real, but the [F] tells you it leans on added vitamins and iron rather than the corn itself. The A for ingredients reflects a short list with corn first. The 3 for risk comes from added sugar and a surprising amount of sodium.
How BA3 breaks down
Each grade is scored on its own. Here are the label numbers behind each one, per 100 g.
Good nutrient density
- Protein
- 6.7 g
- Fibre
- 2.5 g
- Vitamins and minerals
- 8 declared
- Energy
- 378 kcal
Scored on eight nutrients (protein, fibre, calcium, iron, vitamins A, C, D and zinc), per 100 g and per 100 kcal.
Clean, minimally processed
- Base
- Corn Grits
- Sweeteners
- Sugar
- Additives
- 1
- Flagged
- None
Scored on six things: base processing, fat quality, sweeteners, additives, colours and flavours.
Moderate risk
- Added sugar
- 8 g
- Sodium
- 490 mg
- Saturated fat
- 0.6 g
- Trans fat
- 0 g
Scored on added sugar, sodium and saturated fat, with a penalty for trans fat.
[F] Added vitamins or minerals meaningfully lift this product's nutrition grade. Without them it would score lower.
A closer look
Does the label add up?
The list is short: corn grits (90 percent), sugar, cereal extract, iodised salt, vitamins, an antioxidant and minerals. Sugar is the second ingredient, at 8 g of added sugar per 100 g.
Corn grits are milled corn with most of the bran removed, which is why fibre is low for a cereal. The antioxidant is INS 307b, a form of vitamin E, which is a gentle choice.
Ingredients to watch
- SodiumWorth watching
490 mg per 100 g. Few people expect salt in a breakfast cereal, and it adds up if you pour a large bowl.
- SugarWorth watching
The second ingredient: 8 g of added sugar per 100 g, before any sugar you add at the table.
- Corn gritsFine
A refined corn base with little fibre. Not a concern, but not a whole grain either.
Common misconceptions
Myth: "Corn flakes are a whole grain breakfast"
Corn grits have most of the bran removed. Fibre is 2.5 g per 100 g, well short of a whole grain cereal.
Myth: "It is fortified, so it is complete nutrition"
The added iron and B vitamins are genuinely useful. Protein and fibre are still low, so add milk, curd, nuts or fruit.
Myth: "Plain corn flakes have no sugar"
Sugar is the second ingredient, before you add any of your own.
How often, and how
- Healthy adultsFine as part of breakfast with protein
- ChildrenOK with milk and fruit; skip added sugar
- DiabetesSmall portion, paired with protein and fibre
Smarter ways to eat it
Build the bowl
Top a small bowl with milk or curd, a handful of nuts and sliced fruit. Protein and fibre turn it into a breakfast that lasts.
No extra sugar
The flakes already contain sugar. Sweeten with banana or a few raisins instead of a spoonful of sugar.
Common questions
Is Kellogg's Original Corn Flakes healthy?
Kellogg's Original Corn Flakes scores BA3 (Good) on CleanPlate, which makes it a reasonable choice with a trade-off or two worth knowing about. We found no major red flags on its label. On the plus side: Source of protein (6.7g).
What does the BA3 score mean?
The first letter (B) grades nutritional value: good nutrient density. The second letter (A) grades ingredient and label integrity: clean, minimally processed. The number (3) grades risk nutrients (sugar, sodium, saturated fat): moderate risk. The [F] means added vitamins or minerals meaningfully lift the nutrition grade.
Last reviewed June 19, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label.