Cereals ready-to-eat, MALT-O-MEAL, Cocoa DYNO-BITES
Whole food · Breakfast Cereals
Photo: Wikipedia
Malt-O-Meal Cocoa Dyno-Bites are a crunchy, chocolate-flavored, puffed corn cereal designed for a fun, sweet breakfast experience. They deliver a powerful cocoa punch with a light, airy texture that softens quickly in milk. Nutritionally, they are a high-carbohydrate, high-sugar cereal with minimal protein or fat.
Calorie split: 4% protein · 88% carbs · 8% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its intense, kid-friendly chocolate flavor and the fun, popping texture that makes breakfast feel like a treat. Its sweetness and familiar cocoa taste tap into a nostalgic comfort food appeal.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The very high sugar content (over 43g per 100g) can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes and is not ideal for sustained energy. To counteract this, pair it with a source of protein or fat like Greek yogurt or milk, and practice strict portion control. It also contains common allergens like wheat.
Key benefits
- Quick source of energy from carbohydrates
- Fortified with essential vitamins and minerals
- No artificial flavors or colors
- Provides a satisfying, crunchy texture
- Convenient and ready-to-eat
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'Dyno-Bites' name is a playful nod to the cereal's explosive, dinosaur-themed marketing from the 1990s, which featured cartoon dinosaurs and targeted kids with its 'dino-mite' chocolate taste.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 3.0 g |
| Energy | 397 kcal |
| Energy | 1659 kj |
| Protein | 4.2 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 3.4 g |
| Ash | 1.5 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 87.9 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.1 g |
| Total Sugars | 43.1 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 17.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 6.2 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 28.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 69.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 181 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 534 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 6.0 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.16 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 8.7 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 1.3 mg |
| Riboflavin | 1.5 mg |
| Niacin | 17.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 1.7 mg |
| Folate, total | 345 ug |
| Folic acid | 341 ug |
| Folate, food | 4.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 584 ug |
| Choline, total | 3.4 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 5.2 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 5.2 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 776 ug |
| Retinol | 776 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 2586 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 1.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.06 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 138 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 3.4 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 3.4 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 4.0 mg |
| Theobromine | 36.0 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.6 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.22 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.15 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 1.2 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.46 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.36 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.14 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.25 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.25 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.21 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.18 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
FAQ
Is this cereal gluten-free?
No, it contains wheat and is not suitable for a gluten-free diet.
How does it compare nutritionally to other chocolate cereals?
It is on the higher end for sugar content, even among sweetened cereals, with over 43g of sugar per 100g, making it one of the sweeter options available.
Can adults enjoy this cereal?
Absolutely, though it's marketed towards children. Many adults enjoy it as an occasional nostalgic treat or dessert topping, mindful of its high sugar content.
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 3.97 kcal/g · 4% calories from protein · 1.1 g fiber · 43.1 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: 2.95 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.