Cereals ready-to-eat, POST, ALPHA-BITS
Whole food · Breakfast Cereals
Photo: Wikipedia
POST ALPHA-BITS is a playful, alphabet-shaped ready-to-eat cereal that offers a light, crispy texture with a mild, sweet corn and oat flavor. Each piece is a tiny, toasted letter, making breakfast a fun, educational experience. Nutritionally, it's a carbohydrate-focused cereal, providing a quick energy boost with a modest amount of fiber.
Calorie split: 10% protein · 80% carbs · 10% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its nostalgic, playful appeal and the simple, mildly sweet taste that's not overpowering. It's a versatile cereal that can be enjoyed with milk, as a dry snack, or used as a fun topping for yogurt and desserts.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
With 21g of sugar per 100g, it can contribute to blood-sugar spikes, especially if consumed in large portions. To counteract this, pair it with a source of protein or healthy fat like Greek yogurt or a handful of nuts, and practice portion control by sticking to a single serving. It also contains common allergens like wheat.
Key benefits
- Provides quick energy from carbohydrates
- Contains some dietary fiber for digestive health
- Low in fat
- Fun, engaging shape encourages kids to eat
- Fortified with vitamins and minerals
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The cereal was introduced in 1968 and was one of the first to use a specialized extrusion process to create its distinctive alphabet shapes.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 1.2 g |
| Energy | 389 kcal |
| Energy | 1628 kj |
| Protein | 10.0 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 4.6 g |
| Ash | 3.9 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 80.3 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 7.1 g |
| Total Sugars | 21.0 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 35.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 30.0 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 99.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 309 mg |
| Potassium, K | 267 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 592 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 5.0 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.30 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 20.9 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 20.0 mg |
| Thiamin | 1.3 mg |
| Riboflavin | 1.4 mg |
| Niacin | 16.7 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.76 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 1.7 mg |
| Folate, total | 667 ug |
| Folic acid | 648 ug |
| Folate, food | 19.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 1120 ug |
| Choline, total | 25.6 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 5.0 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 5.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 741 ug |
| Retinol | 739 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 16.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 11.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 2500 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 334 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.31 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 267 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 6.7 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 6.7 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 1.4 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 1.1 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.93 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.06 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 1.5 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 1.5 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.8 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.7 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.08 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 ALPHA-BITS cereal healthy?
It provides quick energy and is fortified with vitamins, but it's also relatively high in sugar (21g per 100g) and low in protein. For a balanced meal, pair it with protein-rich milk or yogurt and add fruit for extra fiber.
Is it suitable for a gluten-free diet?
No, POST ALPHA-BITS contains wheat, which is a source of gluten, and is not suitable for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Can adults enjoy this cereal?
Absolutely! While marketed towards children, its simple, crunchy texture and mild sweetness make it a nostalgic snack or a fun addition to adult recipes like yogurt bowls or dessert toppings.
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 3.89 kcal/g · 10% calories from protein · 7.1 g fiber · 21.0 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: 2.22 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.