Cereals ready-to-eat, MALT-O-MEAL, Apple ZINGS
Whole food · Breakfast Cereals
Photo: Wikipedia
Malt-O-Meal Apple ZINGS is a sweet, crunchy, ready-to-eat cereal featuring apple-flavored corn and oat pieces, often with a cinnamon-sugar coating. It delivers a satisfying, light crunch with a distinctly fruity, sweet taste profile. Nutritionally, it is a high-carbohydrate, high-sugar cereal, providing a quick energy boost but with minimal protein and fat.
Calorie split: 5% protein · 89% carbs · 6% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its sweet, apple-cinnamon flavor and satisfying crunch, which makes it a nostalgic and enjoyable breakfast for both kids and adults. Its versatility allows it to be eaten dry as a snack, with milk, or even as a topping for yogurt or ice cream.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar content (over 44g per 100g) can lead to rapid blood-sugar spikes and may not be suitable for those managing diabetes or seeking low-sugar diets. To counteract this, pair it with a source of protein (like Greek yogurt or nuts) or healthy fat (like chia seeds or a drizzle of nut butter) to slow sugar absorption, and practice portion control by sticking to a single serving.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates
- Convenient, no-cook breakfast or snack option
- Offers a small amount of dietary fiber
- Fortified with essential vitamins and minerals
- Lightweight and portable for on-the-go consumption
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Malt-O-Meal, the brand behind Apple ZINGS, was founded in 1919 in Northfield, Minnesota, and was one of the first companies to sell cereal in bulk bags rather than boxes.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 2.5 g |
| Energy | 390 kcal |
| Energy | 1633 kj |
| Protein | 4.5 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 2.7 g |
| Ash | 3.0 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 87.3 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.3 g |
| Total Sugars | 44.6 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 303 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 27.3 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 24.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 61.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 96.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 454 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 11.2 mg |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 18.2 mg |
| Thiamin | 1.1 mg |
| Riboflavin | 1.3 mg |
| Niacin | 15.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 1.5 mg |
| Folate, total | 606 ug |
| Folic acid | 587 ug |
| Folate, food | 19.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 1017 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 4.5 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 1515 iu |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.03 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 121 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 3.0 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 3.0 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.10 ug |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.73 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.55 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.67 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
FAQ
Is Malt-O-Meal Apple ZINGS gluten-free?
No, it typically contains wheat and oat ingredients and is not certified gluten-free, so it is not suitable for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
How much sugar is in a serving?
A typical 1-cup (about 150g) serving contains approximately 67g of sugar, which is very high and should be consumed in moderation.
Can I eat this cereal if I have a nut allergy?
Check the packaging for allergen warnings, as some Malt-O-Meal cereals are produced in facilities that handle nuts, but Apple ZINGS itself does not contain nuts as an ingredient.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 3.90 kcal/g · 5% calories from protein · 2.3 g fiber · 44.6 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 4.73 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.