Consumer Reports just confirmed what I’ve been saying for years: cereals marketed to children contain way too much sugar.

In their first-ever nutrition report published in the November 2008 issue, Consumer Reports says that 23 of the top 27 cereals marketed to children rated only Good or Fair for nutrition because of their sugars. In fact, Consumer Reports found at least as much sugar in a serving of Kellogg’s Honey Smacks (15 grams sugar) and 10 other cereals as in a glazed doughnut from Dunkin’ Donuts.

Sugar isn’t the only criteria in their ratings: Kellogg’s Rice Krispies has only 4 grams sugar, but received only a Fair rating because of relatively high sodium and zero dietary fiber. Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats Bite Size received a Good rating with 12 grams sugar, yet low sodium and a hefty 6 grams fiber.

Consumer Reports list only four cereals marketed to kids as Very Good in their new nutrition rating system: Cheerios, Kix, Honey Nut Cheerios (all General Mills), and Life (Quaker Oats).  These four scored well  for relatively lower sugar and higher dietary fiber, the two categories that weighed as most important. Cheerios topped the list with only 1 gram sugar and a healthful 3 grams fiber.