Are Rice Krispies Treats Bad For You?
Short answer
Traditionally bought or made Rice Krispies Treats are bad for you, as they are packed with artificial and toxic ingredients.
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Unfortunately, Rice Krispies Treats will not help you meet your nutritional needs at all. In the traditional Rice Krispies Treats recipes such as Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Treats, marshmallows are effectively the main ingredient. It is important to mention that every large marshmallow added to Rice Krispies have at least 1/2 a cup of sugar, approximately 100g, which is obviously exceedingly higher than the daily recommended amount of sugar for adults (up to 37.5g), let alone children (16g). There are many clinical studies that support the claims that increased amounts of sugar intake is directly linked to rapid weight gain and damaged tooth enamel, as well as greatly increasing the chances for various diseases such as type II diabetes, obesity and heart disease.
One of the individual ingredients of marshmallows is Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate. The odorless powder Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate is infused in food as a preservative, which explains why the sugary treats look practically the same after sitting out for months past the expiry date. The ingredient is known to promote renal disease, damaged blood vessels, and aging.
The cereal element used in traditional Rice Krispies Treats includes a mysterious ingredient named BHT. BHT or Butylated Hydroxytoluene is the worrying ingredient here as it is used in the Rice Krispies Treats for freshness purposes. This detrimental ingredient is potent enough to even be used in jet fuels, transformer oil, rubber petroleum products and embalming fluid. It is also so categorically hazardous that Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) warns that BHT should be forbidden from entering the environment as it can eventually cause liver damage. So, if you want to eat it, save it for special occasions (seriously).
Possible short-term side effects
- blood sugar spike
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hyperactivity
Possible long-term side effects
- weight gain, obesity
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damage to blood vessels
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renal disease
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diabetes
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heart disease
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damaged tooth enamel
Ingredients to be aware of
Healthier alternatives
- homemade brown rice krispies treats
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