Cereals ready-to-eat, RALSTON Crispy Hexagons
Whole food · Breakfast Cereals
Photo: Wikipedia
RALSTON Crispy Hexagons are a classic, crunchy, ready-to-eat cereal made from toasted corn or wheat, shaped into small, satisfying hexagons. They deliver a light, airy texture with a subtly sweet, toasty flavor that becomes pleasantly soggy in milk. Nutritionally, they are a high-carbohydrate, low-fat option, providing a quick source of energy with a modest sugar content.
Calorie split: 6% protein · 91% carbs · 2% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its nostalgic, simple crunch and mild sweetness, which pairs perfectly with cold milk or can be eaten as a dry, on-the-go snack. Its versatility allows it to be used in desserts, trail mixes, or as a topping for yogurt, making it a familiar comfort food in many households.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high carbohydrate and sugar content can lead to blood-sugar spikes if consumed in large portions, especially for those managing diabetes. To counteract this, pair it with a source of protein (like Greek yogurt or nuts) or healthy fat (like seeds or nut butter) to slow digestion and stabilize blood sugar. Additionally, it is a processed food and may contain common allergens like wheat; always check the label for specific ingredients and consider portion control.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick, easily digestible source of energy from carbohydrates.
- Low in fat, making it a light option for breakfast or snacking.
- Contains a small amount of dietary fiber for digestive support.
- Convenient and requires no cooking, ideal for busy mornings.
- Offers a satisfying crunch that can be enjoyed with milk or dry.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The hexagonal shape isn't just for looks—it's designed to maximize surface area for even toasting and to create pockets that hold milk better than flat or spherical cereals, enhancing the eating experience.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 4.1 g |
| Energy | 379 kcal |
| Energy | 1587 kj |
| Protein | 5.9 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.95 g |
| Ash | 2.3 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 86.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.5 g |
| Total Sugars | 13.8 g |
| Sucrose | 13.7 g |
| Glucose | 0.00 g |
| Fructose | 0.05 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 8.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 27.9 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 16.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 63.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 224 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 517 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 7.4 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.13 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.65 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 2.2 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 20.7 mg |
| Thiamin | 1.8 mg |
| Riboflavin | 2.1 mg |
| Niacin | 24.1 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.23 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 2.4 mg |
| Folate, total | 966 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 7.2 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 1256 ug |
| Retinol | 1248 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 63.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 53.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 4310 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.05 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.06 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.12 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.21 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 345 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 8.6 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 8.6 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (Dihydrophylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (Menaquinone-4) | 0.00 ug |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.26 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.23 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.19 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.19 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.35 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.34 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 21:5 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 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 |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.07 g |
| Threonine | 0.25 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.26 g |
| Leucine | 0.80 g |
| Lysine | 0.13 g |
| Methionine | 0.13 g |
| Cystine | 0.11 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.37 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.19 g |
| Valine | 0.34 g |
| Arginine | 0.30 g |
| Histidine | 0.16 g |
| Alanine | 0.47 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.88 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.4 g |
| Glycine | 0.27 g |
| Proline | 0.57 g |
| Serine | 0.30 g |
FAQ
Is RALSTON Crispy Hexagons gluten-free?
No, it typically contains wheat or other gluten-containing grains, so it is not suitable for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Always check the product label for specific allergen information.
How does it compare nutritionally to other cereals?
It is higher in carbohydrates and lower in protein and fat compared to many fortified cereals, making it a lighter, energy-focused option but less balanced for sustained fullness.
Can it be used in cooking or baking?
Yes, it can be crushed and used as a crunchy topping for desserts, mixed into granola bars, or incorporated into snack mixes for added texture.
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 3.79 kcal/g · 6% calories from protein · 1.5 g fiber · 13.8 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: 2.31 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.