Review of 'Quaker' Instant Oatmeal (Apples and Cinnamon)

Quaker -- Apples and Cinnamon (Vegan)
Overall Rating: 3/5
Summary: The cinnamon and apple flavours are very present and there are many pieces of apples. I made mine with a bit of lightly flavoured vanilla soymilk and boiled water and it was sweet and true to the flavours. Still, I would not recommend this product because of the use of artificial ingredients and the fact that the Quaker brand continues to produce foods with trans fats and other ingredients harmful to health.

Where to buy: most major grocery stores



Ingredients: WHOLE GRAIN ROLLED OATS, SUGAR, DEHYDRATED APPLES (TREATED WITH SODIUM SULFITE TO PROMOTE COLOR RETENTION), NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, SALT, CINNAMON, CALCIUM CARBONATE, CITRIC ACID, GUAR GUM, MALIC ACID, NIACINAMIDE*, REDUCED IRON, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE*, RIBOFLAVIN*, THIAMIN MONONITRATE*, FOLIC ACID*, CARAMEL COLOR.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 packet
Calories: 160
     Calories from fat: 20
Total fat: 2g
     Saturated fat: 0g
     Trans fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 200mg
Potassium: 140mg
Total Carbohydrate: 33g
     Dietary fiber: 4g
     Soluble fiber: 1g
     Sugars: 12g
Protein: 4g
Vitamin A: 30%
Calcium: 10%
Iron: 20%

Full nutritional profile here.

The ingredients contain sodium sulfite, which can create strong adverse reactions in some people (from headaches, wheezing, respiratory distress, to anaphylactic shock, death, etc. mostly in people with asthma). Thus, the FDA requires labeling of all sulfites. It also contains caramel colouring, of which some varieties are linked to cancer, increased blood pressure, allergies, and lowered immune system functioning. The nutritional profile is good; it's low fat, low-calorie, and has a nice amount of fiber and protein as well as many vitamins and nutrients. Still, it doesn't make up for the poor ingredients, so I would not recommend this.

Other 'Instant Oatmeal' flavours:

• Chocolate Chip (vegan)
• Cinnamon and Spice (vegan)
• Cinnamon Roll (vegan)
• Dinosaur Eggs
• Fruit and Cream varieties
• Honey Bun (vegan)
• Maple and Brown Sugar (vegan)
• Original (vegan)
• Peaces and Cream
• Raisins and Spice (vegan) (reviewed here)
• Raisin, Date, and Walnut (vegan)
• Strawberries and Cream
• Apples and Cranberries (vegan)

Brand:

• Continues to include trans fats, artificial flavours, colouring, genetically modified ingredients despite branding itself as health conscious and progressive
• Goal: to reduce water and electricity consumption by 20% and fuel consumption by 25% by 2015 (Oats and the Environment)
• Since 1901
• Part of PepsiCo since 2001 (against GMO-labelling)