Weetabix Ingredients
A complete breakdown of Weetabix — one of the UK's most popular breakfast cereals, and one of the least processed.
Quick Facts
~136 Calories Per 2 Biscuits (Dry)
Two Weetabix biscuits contain approximately 136 calories when dry. Adding 125ml of semi-skimmed milk brings the total to around 198 calories for a complete bowl.
95% Wholegrain Wheat
Weetabix is made from 95% wholegrain wheat, making it one of the simplest and least processed breakfast cereals on the market. It contains no artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives and notably has no E-numbers.
Allergens: Wheat (Gluten), Barley (Gluten)
Contains wheat and barley, both of which contain gluten. Not suitable for coeliacs or those with gluten sensitivity. Free from all other major allergens.
Full Ingredients List
Here is the complete list of ingredients in Weetabix Original:
Wholegrain Wheat (95%), Malted Barley Extract, Sugar, Salt, Niacin, Iron, Thiamin (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Folic Acid.
That is the entire list. With just nine ingredients, Weetabix has one of the shortest ingredient lists of any UK breakfast cereal. There are no E-numbers, no artificial additives, and no preservatives.
Breaking Down the Ingredients
Wholegrain Wheat (95%)
The overwhelming majority of Weetabix is simply wholegrain wheat. The wheat grains are cooked, formed into the distinctive biscuit shape, and baked. Because the whole grain is used (including the bran and germ), Weetabix retains the natural fibre, vitamins, and minerals found in wheat. This is what makes it a good source of dietary fibre.
Malted Barley Extract
A small amount of malted barley extract is added for a subtle sweetness and to help the biscuit hold together during baking. Malt extract has been used in food production for centuries and contributes a gentle, biscuity flavour. This ingredient means Weetabix contains barley as well as wheat, so it has two gluten-containing grains.
Sugar & Salt
Small amounts of sugar and salt are added for flavour. The sugar content is notably low — just 1.7g per two biscuits, which is less than the natural sugar content in a glass of milk. The salt is also very low at 0.28g per two biscuits.
Fortified Vitamins & Minerals
Weetabix is fortified with several vitamins and minerals that are important for health:
| Nutrient | Per 2 Biscuits | % NRV | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Niacin (Vitamin B3) | 5.4mg | 34% | Supports energy metabolism and nervous system function. |
| Iron | 4.2mg | 30% | Essential for red blood cell production. Iron deficiency is common in the UK, particularly among women. |
| Thiamin (Vitamin B1) | 0.48mg | 44% | Helps the body release energy from carbohydrates. Important for heart and nervous system function. |
| Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) | 0.56mg | 40% | Supports skin health and helps the body release energy from food. |
| Folic Acid | 67μg | 34% | Important for cell division. Particularly important during pregnancy for preventing neural tube defects. |
What About E-Numbers?
Weetabix contains no E-numbers whatsoever. There are no artificial colours, no preservatives, no emulsifiers, and no flavour enhancers. The fortified vitamins and minerals are the same nutrients found naturally in food — they are simply added to boost nutritional value, which is common practice in UK breakfast cereals and is supported by the FSA.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition values for Weetabix, shown per 2 biscuits dry and with 125ml semi-skimmed milk:
| Nutrient | Per 2 Biscuits (dry) | With Semi-Skimmed Milk |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 572kJ / 136kcal | 831kJ / 198kcal |
| Fat | 0.8g | 2.6g |
| - of which saturates | 0.2g | 1.2g |
| Carbohydrate | 26g | 32g |
| - of which sugars | 1.7g | 7.7g |
| Fibre | 3.8g | 3.8g |
| Protein | 4.5g | 8.9g |
| Salt | 0.28g | 0.43g |
Nutritional Context
With milk, a bowl of Weetabix provides a well-balanced breakfast: 198 calories, 3.8g of fibre (13% of daily needs), nearly 9g of protein, and a range of fortified vitamins. The sugar content rises from 1.7g to 7.7g when milk is added, but this is due to the naturally occurring lactose in milk, not added sugar. Compared to most breakfast cereals, Weetabix is notably low in both sugar and salt.
The Ultra-Processed Food (UPF) Debate
Weetabix has found itself at the centre of the ultra-processed food debate. Under the NOVA classification system developed by Brazilian researchers, Weetabix could technically be classified as a Group 4 ultra-processed food because it undergoes industrial processing and contains added vitamins.
However, many UK nutrition experts and dietitians have pointed out that this classification can be misleading when applied to products like Weetabix. The product is 95% wholegrain wheat, contains minimal sugar (1.7g per serving), has no artificial additives, and is recommended by the NHS as a healthy breakfast option.
The British Dietetic Association has stated that the NOVA classification should not be used in isolation to judge whether a food is healthy. Looking at the actual ingredients and nutritional profile, Weetabix remains one of the better breakfast cereal choices available in the UK.
Weetabix vs Other Breakfast Cereals
How does Weetabix compare to other popular breakfast cereals in the UK? Values per typical serving:
| Cereal | Serving | Calories | Sugar | Fibre | Salt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weetabix (2 biscuits) | 37.5g | 136 kcal | 1.7g | 3.8g | 0.28g |
| Porridge Oats | 40g | 148 kcal | 0.4g | 3.6g | Trace |
| Bran Flakes | 30g | 106 kcal | 6.6g | 4.5g | 0.30g |
| Crunchy Nut | 30g | 118 kcal | 10.5g | 0.8g | 0.28g |
Weetabix and porridge oats are nutritionally quite similar and are both considered among the healthier breakfast cereal options. Porridge has even less sugar but takes longer to prepare. Bran Flakes offer more fibre but have significantly more sugar. Crunchy Nut, while popular, has over six times more sugar than Weetabix and far less fibre — it is essentially a treat cereal by comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Weetabix healthy?
Yes, Weetabix is generally considered one of the healthier breakfast cereal options available in the UK. It is high in fibre (3.8g per 2 biscuits, contributing to the recommended 30g per day), low in sugar (just 1.7g), low in salt, and made from 95% wholegrain wheat. It is also fortified with B vitamins, iron, and folic acid. The NHS includes Weetabix as an example of a healthy breakfast cereal, and it scores well under the UK government's nutrient profiling model.
How much sugar is in Weetabix?
Two Weetabix biscuits (dry) contain just 1.7g of sugar. To put this in perspective, that is less than the natural sugar content of a glass of semi-skimmed milk (around 6g per 125ml). When served with milk, the sugar content of the bowl rises to about 7.7g, but this additional sugar is lactose from the milk, not added sugar. Compared to cereals like Crunchy Nut (10.5g per 30g serving), Weetabix is remarkably low in sugar.
Is Weetabix ultra-processed?
Under the NOVA classification system, Weetabix could technically be categorised as ultra-processed (Group 4) because it undergoes industrial processing and contains added vitamins. However, many nutrition experts argue this is a limitation of the NOVA system rather than a genuine health concern. Weetabix is 95% wholegrain wheat with minimal added sugar, no artificial additives, and no E-numbers. The British Dietetic Association advises looking at the overall nutritional profile rather than relying solely on NOVA classifications.
How much fibre is in Weetabix?
Two Weetabix biscuits provide 3.8g of fibre, which is about 13% of the recommended 30g per day for adults. The fibre comes from the wholegrain wheat and is a mix of soluble and insoluble fibre. Having Weetabix for breakfast is a good way to start building your daily fibre intake, which most UK adults fall short of (the average intake is around 18g per day).
Is Weetabix suitable for babies?
According to NHS weaning guidelines, Weetabix can be introduced to babies from around 6 months of age. It should be softened with breast milk, formula, or full-fat cow's milk (from 6 months in cooking, from 12 months as a drink). Weetabix is a good choice for weaning because it is low in sugar and salt. However, it does contain wheat and barley (both gluten-containing), so introduce it carefully and watch for any signs of reaction, particularly if there is a family history of coeliac disease.
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