Why Did Americans Stop Eating Kellogg’s Cereal?

Kellogg, the 117-year-old brand that started as a breakfast cereal company that has since expanded to be one of the largest food companies in the world, has seen declining cereal sales over the past couple of decades. The one-time category leader is now facing such setbacks as countless lawsuits over its nutritional value amid a more health-conscious consumer base, and a workers’ strike and a plant fire in 2021. In response, the company on June 21, 2022, announced plans to split into three separate companies. The question is though: Will that be enough to rebound its cereal segment?

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Why Did Americans Stop Eating Kellogg’s Cereal?

[kw]

I think it's pretty simple. Most groups of families these days are concerned about 2 things: health and money. Healthwise these cereals are awful for you, with high amounts of sugar and low amounts of anything good for you. Moneywise, prices for cereal boxes have skyrocketed. 1 box is almost $10 which is absurd, especially when it's finished in just a few days for a family.

[richerDiLefto]

1. Cereal is prohibitively *expensive* these days and the boxes keep getting smaller and smaller.

2. Cereal is *not* healthy. No matter how much its manufacturer claims it to be “enriched”, it’s still a sugar laden processed food. This holds true whether it’s sweetened or not.

3. Cereal doesn’t satiate my hunger, nor fill me up.

4. Like any other sugary food, cereal is addictive. I can’t eat just one bowl, I can destroy a whole box of it within two days.

I haven’t bought cereal for years and don’t miss it.

[kaniahankston]

Nobody wants to pay 7-8 dollars for cereal when it’s just sugar and empty calories. It’s cheaper to get healthier options!

[gobbletegook]

Once upon a time, cereal served a purpose. It changed the world with a fast and simple paced way of getting a good nutritious product with energy that got you going in the morning. No longer did you have to cook meat, bake bread, or simmer porridge for hours before work or school. But then, it became unhealthy. And, if you are diabetic, they tell you that it is one of the worse things you can eat. And the people that were selling it, reinforced this notion that it is the most important meal of the day. Well, the new news is, its not.

[cattameme]

since cereal is so goddamn expensive now. Why even buy it. In fact I can buy Oatmeal with REAL fruits in it instead.

[miaomiaou_]

All Kellogg’s has to do is read these comments to find out why people aren’t buying. Prices are too high and it’s basically junk food. But to lower the price and start making real food again would seriously cut into margins lol

[JogBird]

maybe ppl figured out that eating candy for breakfast wasnt a good idea

[Sofiasart]

I haven’t purchased cereal for my kids in 2 years. They’re full of sugar. Cereals are no longer a staple in my families breakfast. We prefer fresh homemade food. We don’t get persuaded by marketing . We know the health dangers of processed foods.

[darionrobinson]

People are not willing to pay the price that it cost to buy a box of cereal at the store The price is freaking insane and inappropriate.

[turntprophet]

Cereal boxes used to have little games in the back of the back and even came with a little toy at times. That’s what pulled me in to certain cereals as a kid.
Now as an adult, I see the insane price hike while the box keeps shrinking.

[davidcantor]

It's been declining partially due to the $5-7 a box price.

[Tonyyy]

I replaced sugary breakfast with 3 scrambled eggs and veggies. Follow that with plain Greek yogurt, I put a little bit of fruit, almonds, tiny bit of organic granola, flax seeds, coconut, and collagen peptides powder in it. So good 😋 try it.

[MVolver]

To me the amount of sugar in cereal is way too high and the prices for cereal has gotten too expensive. The Boxes/Bags have gotten smaller and slimmer and yet the prices just continued to go up, even before the past 2 years. My favorite cereals are $8-$9 a regular size box and a regular suggested serving for most cereals are less than 1 cup with an average of 16-18 grams of sugar. That amount of sugar is definitely a lot for the amount you'r suggested.

[thankthelord]

Corn Flakes were the only Cereal we ate in the 60s 70s. I always dreamed my mother would buy captain crunch.

[tj]

Just 2 days ago I went inside the store and the small boxes of cereal are $6 if you have a family that’s practically gone in one sitting. The larger ones were 7 and 8 respectively. It is completely ridiculous. I’m glad I’m a college student and I eat cereal only occasionally.

[phcusnret]

Why? Because the Kelloggs CEO thinks he's Marie Antoinette, with his assinine "Let them eat cereal" comment.

[Marinex]

I grew up on cereal, I still like it, and yes late night instead of a snack too.
But it's gotten too expensive & the box size keeps shrinking. I'm much more discerning with regards to which to buy or not to buy, and Im well off enough that price isn't the primary issue, the idea of being hustled is.

[kb]

1. Sugar
2. Price
3. Price
4. Price

[DREAM-lvcj]

Have they seen the price of a box and how small the boxes have become?

[ramochai]

Most cereals, especially the ones formulated for the US market, are nothing but highly sweetened synthetic food. It's a great way to generate life long customers to the private healthcare system.