Catalina Crunch Chocolate Banana Cereal: 11g Protein, Labelgrade A-
A- 85 / 100 — The best Labelgrade we've recorded in the cereal category. Pea-protein base + chicory root fiber delivers 11g protein and 9g fiber per serving at 110 cal with 0g sugar. Plant-based (vs Magic Spoon's milk-protein base) so it's vegan-compatible. Stevia + monk fruit only — no artificial sweeteners.
🛒 Buy on Amazon →The short answer
Catalina Crunch Chocolate Banana Cereal delivers 11 g of protein and 9 g of fiber per 36 g (1/2 cup) serving at just 110 calories with 0 g of sugar (USDA FDC 2653512). That’s about 31 g of protein per 100 g — top-tier for cereal, and the highest of any plant-based (pea-protein) cereal in our database. The base is “Catalina Flour” — pea protein + potato fiber + corn fiber + chicory root fiber + guar gum — sweetened only with stevia and monk fruit (zero artificial sweeteners). The Labelgrade is A- (85 / 100), the best cereal grade we’ve recorded. The only Labelgrade soft spots are moderate sodium (125 mg per serving) and the inulin-heavy fiber (some users get GI discomfort at higher daily doses). Best-in-class for vegan or plant-based diets seeking high-protein cereal; Magic Spoon edges it on protein density if dairy protein is fine.
Why this Labelgrade
| Dimension | Grade | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein density | A+ | 96 / 100 | 31 g per 100 g — among the densest cereal proteins on the US market, achieved entirely with pea protein. Vegan-compatible at this density is rare |
| Ingredient quality | B | 75 / 100 | 14 ingredients in the “Catalina Flour” expansion. Plant-derived, no artificial colors or flavors, no grain. Pea protein and chicory root fiber are clear processed-food markers but used at appropriate levels |
| Saturated fat load | B+ | 82 / 100 | 1 g per serving (~2.8 g per 100 g) — low. High oleic sunflower oil is the only meaningful fat source |
| Sodium load | C | 64 / 100 | 125 mg per serving, ~350 mg per 100 g — moderate. Lower than Magic Spoon (160 mg per serving) but still climbs across multiple servings |
| Sugar load | A+ | 100 / 100 | 0 g of sugar. Sweetness from stevia + monk fruit only — no allulose, no artificial sweeteners. The cleanest sweetener stack in the protein-cereal category |
| Fiber | A+ | 100 / 100 | 9 g per serving — exceptional. 32% of the FDA 28 g daily fiber target in one bowl |
| Overall | A- | 85 / 100 | The highest-scoring cereal in our database. The combination of plant-based protein + clean sweetener choice + high fiber + zero sugar puts Catalina Crunch ahead of Magic Spoon on Labelgrade despite slightly lower per-gram protein. Best fit for vegan diets or anyone wanting a true high-protein cereal without milk-protein isolate |
How it compares
| Product | Protein per serving | Fiber | Sugar | Net carbs | Vegan? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalina Crunch Chocolate Banana (this product) | 11 g (36 g serving) | 9 g | 0 g | 5 g | Yes |
| Magic Spoon Fruity | 13 g (38 g serving) | 1 g | 0 g | 4 g | No (milk protein) |
| Three Wishes Cocoa | 8 g (35 g serving) | 3 g | 3 g | 18 g | Yes |
| Cheerios Protein Cinnamon Almond | 11 g (52 g serving) | 4 g | 6 g | 32 g | No (milk added) |
| Special K Protein | 10 g (37 g serving) | 4 g | 5 g | 16 g | No |
Catalina Crunch wins on the combination of net-carb count + fiber + zero sugar + vegan compatibility. Magic Spoon wins on protein density. Three Wishes is closer in formulation but with much less protein. Traditional protein cereals (Cheerios, Special K) include added sugar and use grain bases with added soy or wheat protein.
Whole-food equivalent
One 36 g serving (11 g protein) ≈ 35 g of cooked chicken breast (about 1.2 oz). Plus the cereal brings 9 g of fiber that chicken doesn’t have. Add 1 cup of milk and you’re at 19 g protein in a single breakfast bowl. Add unsweetened almond milk and you stay vegan at ~12 g protein + minimal added calories.
Scope
This page covers Catalina Crunch Chocolate Banana Cereal in the standard 9 oz (255 g) bag (UPC 860479001584, USDA FDC 2653512). Catalina Crunch makes 6-8 flavor variants in the same protein-fiber-cereal category:
- Dark Chocolate — the most popular flavor; same macros
- Cinnamon Toast — same macros
- Honey Graham — sweeter taste profile, same macros
- Maple Waffle, Fruity, Mint Chocolate — additional flavors
Per-100 g macros are nearly identical across flavors (~31 g protein, 25 g fiber, 0 g sugar). Catalina Crunch also makes cookies in the same protein-and-fiber category. Always check the actual bag.
Ingredients (from the USDA Branded Foods entry)
Catalina flour (pea protein, potato fiber, non-GMO corn fiber, chicory root fiber, guar gum), tapioca flour, high oleic sunflower oil, cocoa powder, baking powder, natural flavors, sea salt, calcium carbonate, stevia extract, monk fruit extract.
Where to buy
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Quick Facts
Per serving · 1/2 cup (36 g)
Full nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per Serving (1/2 cup (36 g)) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 110 |
| Protein | 11g |
| Total Fat | 6g |
| Saturated Fat | 1g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 14g |
| Dietary Fiber | 9g |
| Total Sugars | 0g |
| Added Sugars | 0g |
| Sodium | 125mg |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Calcium | 50mg |
| Iron | 2.3mg |
| Potassium | 80mg |
Scope: This page applies specifically to Catalina Crunch Chocolate Banana Cereal (9 oz (255 g) bag) · UPC 860479001584. Other sizes, flavors, or formulations may differ.
How this fits each diet
Each score is computed from the same USDA nutrition + ingredient data, against the published rules of each diet. They tell you "does this food fit this diet" — not whether the diet is right for you.
contains no listed animal products
contains no listed meat or fish
no wheat, barley, rye, or malt detected in USDA ingredient list
Frequently Asked Questions
How much protein is in Catalina Crunch Chocolate Banana?
11 g of protein per 1/2 cup (36 g) serving (USDA FDC 2653512) — about 31 g per 100 g. Among the densest cereal proteins on the US market and the highest of any plant-based (pea-protein) cereal we've graded. Magic Spoon Fruity is denser (34 g per 100 g) but uses milk protein instead.
What's 'Catalina Flour'?
Catalina's proprietary blend that replaces traditional grain flour. It contains pea protein (the main protein source), potato fiber, non-GMO corn fiber, chicory root fiber, and guar gum (binder). The 'flour' is the structural matrix that holds the cereal pieces together — a way of describing the engineered grain-replacement base without listing each component separately on the front of the box.
How does it compare to Magic Spoon?
Magic Spoon Fruity: 13 g protein, 0 g sugar, 1 g fiber per 38 g serving. Catalina Crunch Chocolate Banana: 11 g protein, 0 g sugar, 9 g fiber per 36 g serving. Magic Spoon wins on protein per serving and per 100 g; Catalina wins decisively on fiber (9× more). Magic Spoon uses milk protein (not vegan); Catalina uses pea protein (vegan). Magic Spoon uses allulose + monk fruit; Catalina uses stevia + monk fruit only. Catalina is meaningfully cheaper per oz. Honest tie depending on what you optimize for.
Is it vegan?
Yes. The protein base is pea protein; no milk, no egg, no animal-derived ingredients. The chocolate cocoa powder is dairy-free. All other ingredients (chicory root, tapioca, sunflower oil, sea salt, stevia, monk fruit) are plant or mineral-derived. The cereal's also gluten-free and grain-free.
Is the chicory root fiber a concern?
Chicory root inulin is FDA-recognized as a dietary fiber. It's prebiotic — it feeds beneficial gut bacteria. Some people (especially those new to high-fiber diets) get gas or bloating from inulin in larger doses. A 36 g Catalina serving delivers 9 g of fiber, much of it from chicory root. Tolerance varies; start with smaller servings if you're not used to inulin-heavy products.
Net carbs?
14 g total carbs minus 9 g fiber = 5 g net carbs per serving. Right at the keto threshold (≤5 g net carbs per snack-sized serving). Keto-compatible for most users. Stricter keto practitioners who count inulin differently might compute 7-8 g net carbs; verify against your own keto framework.
Does the chocolate-banana flavor taste like real banana?
Mild banana flavor on a chocolate base. Most reviewers describe it as 'chocolate-forward with a banana hint' rather than a strong banana flavor. The 'natural flavors' line is doing the banana work — there's no actual banana in the ingredient list. If you don't like artificial banana flavor, the plain Dark Chocolate variant might suit better.
Catalina Crunch as a meal vs snack?
11 g protein + 9 g fiber at 110 cal makes it one of the most satiety-efficient cereals on the market. With 1 cup of milk added (8 g protein, 100 cal), you're at 19 g protein for 210 cal — a legitimate breakfast meal. Without milk, it's a 110-cal snack that's high in fiber and protein. The fiber alone helps appetite control across both use cases.
Is it 'high in protein' under FDA rules?
Yes — 11 g per serving is 22% of the FDA 50 g Daily Value, above the 20% threshold required for the 'high in protein' claim.