Lovebird Cereal Review: A Yummy, Healthy, Organic Cheerio Alternative!

I used to be a big cereal person. During high school and college, I would eat it all the time, at pretty much any time of day. It’s such an easy, tasty, and relatively filling meal that you can grab quickly, not just for breakfast but also in between classes or even as a late-night snack.

But then, as I began experiencing more health issues in my twenties, cereal gradually left my diet. After all, most cereal is made with lots of sugar, processed ingredients, and other potentially-inflammatory stuff (like gluten and dairy). As I was working to heal my gut, balance my blood sugar, and support my overall health, cereal just didn’t really fit into the picture anymore!

These days, there are many more options on the market for “healthy” cereals… But even a lot of those ones aren’t really something I’d eat on a regular basis. The trendy Magic Spoon, for example, is free from things like grains, gluten, artificial flavors, and refined sugars, which is great. But it still uses dairy as the main ingredient and contains a few *questionable * ingredients (like “Natural Flavors”)… and it makes me bloated! There are some other organic, gluten-free, and/or vegan cereals I’ve tried from the store, but many of them are still pretty high in sugar.

So, when I found out about Lovebird cereal and gave it a try, I was honestly so excited to be able to enjoy cereal again!

Below I’m sharing my full Lovebird cereal review so that you can decide if you want to give it a try for yourself.

This article contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase.

The Story Behind Lovebird

Lovebird cereal was started by Parker Brook (who still owns and runs the small company). Parker worked in the big food industry for years, so he was very familiar with the good, bad, and ugly parts of the mainstream cereal world.

Parker dealt with his own autoimmune conditions for years, but it wasn’t until his daughter was born that he was truly inspired and motivated to make a practical and positive change by starting his own healthy food brand for his family—and yours!

Parker says he started with cereal not only because his daughter loves it but also because breakfast sets the intention for the rest of your day. When most of the other cereal on the market is chock-full of refined sugar and inflammatory ingredients, Parker wanted to create a breakfast cereal option that was actually nourishing.

So, he started Lovebird!

Here’s Why I Think Lovebird is Worth a Try

Besides the fact that it’s tasty, here are a few reasons why you might want to give Lovebird a try for yourself:

It’s made with healthy ingredients that are:

• Organic (USDA certified) & non-GMO
• Grain-free
• Gluten-free
• Dairy-free
• Paleo/AIP compliant

And Lovebird does not have any:

• Refined sugars
• Natural flavors
• Or other high-potency sweeteners like Stevia or monkfruit

This is important for any health-conscious consumers, but it’s especially crucial for those of us who have any inflammatory conditions—whether that’s an autoimmune condition or CIRS (🙋‍♀️), multiple chemical sensitivity, cancer, or other diseases or sensitivities.

Plus, the lack of refined and artificial sugars can help to set kids off on the right foot when it comes to their palates. Even though we humans have been wired to like sweet things, most of us have had our palates ruined by the sheer amount of sugary sweetness that permeates the entire Standard American Diet.

When kids eat lots of sugary breakfast cereals and other foods, it’s kind of like a snowball effect. They (we) get used to that amount of sweetness, then crave more of it, eat more of it, and the cycle continues. So by switching to a healthier breakfast cereal, kids are not only getting a better start to their days, but they are literally getting a better start to their lives! Eating foods like Lovebird can encourage their palate to be satisfied with a lighter level of sweetness that’s actually found in nature, rather than that super-concentrated, processed, and unrealistic sugariness that many of us have gotten used to.

Another factor that really sets Lovebird apart is the fact that it’s been third-party verified to be free of concerning contaminants as well. In addition to being USDA certified organic, Lovebird has also garnered the Purity Award from the Clean Label Project, which essentially demonstrates that these ingredients are some of the safest available when it comes to environmental toxicants. 

The Clean Label Project’s Purity Award is a third-party award that tests and evaluates products for substances that would never be found on a label. Using lab testing, this award not only screens for pesticide residues but also other industrial and environmental contaminants like heavy metals and plasticizers. You can read more about the issue of pesticide contamination in breakfast cereal right here.

Body

Glyphosate-Free Cereal Brands (Organic Cheerio Alternatives for 2024!)

Independent testing has found traces of toxicants like glyphosate & heavy metals in breakfast cereal, oatmeal, and granola. So here are the organic cereal brands making safety a priority.

Last but not least, Lovebird has a generous give-back program as well—20% of the profits are donated to fighting childhood cancer!

They currently have five flavors available:

• Unsweetened (which is the most similar to regular Cheerios and is a good option for toddlers)
• Honey (which is a healthier alternative to Honey Nut Cheerios!)
• Cacao (my personal favorite)
• Cinnamon
• Strawberry (their newest option!)

You can order a variety pack if you want to, or you can Build Your Own Bundle with 4 or 6 boxes of your choice. (And don’t forget to use the code THEFILTERY15 for 15% off your order.)

A Closer Look at Lovebird’s Ingredients

As I mentioned, Lovebird is made with minimal, intentionally-sourced ingredients. Here’s a closer look at the main ingredients used in all of the flavors, along with some of their main health benefits:

Organic & Fair Trade Cassava

Organic, fairtrade cassava flour is the main ingredient in all of the Lovebird flavors. It’s a gluten-free and grain-free alternative to traditional wheat flour, which is part of what makes Lovebird a good option for those with dietary restrictions or preferences.

Cassava is a root vegetable that provides a good source of prebiotic fiber (which is good for gut health—essential for resilience to environmental toxins!). It’s also high in resistant starch, which can actually help balance blood sugar (a stark contrast with mainstream cereal brands, which are basically just huge sugar crashes waiting to happen!).

Organic Coconut

Coconut is the second primary ingredient used. Depending on the specific flavor, you’ll find organic coconut flour, oil, and/or sugar.

You’re probably already aware that coconut has lots of potential health benefits as well. It’s rich in healthy fats, amino acids, and fiber… which also help to control blood sugar and provide steady energy for your and/or your kids’ days.

Honey

Honey and coconut sugar are the only sweeteners used for any of the flavors. This is one of the things that sets Lovebird apart from even the other “healthy” cereals on the market that often use potent sugar alternatives like monkfruit or Stevia.

The team at Lovebird uses organic raw honey, which they call “nature’s original superfood,” as it’s rich in health-promoting polyphenols and antioxidants.

Himalayan Salt

This is the only ingredient used that’s not organic (it can’t be since it’s sourced from the earth instead of grown). Not only does it add to the overall taste of the cereal, but Himalayan salt is a natural source of iodine, which helps with electrolyte balance and nutrient absorption.

The only other ingredients used are things like organic cacao (for the Cacao O’s), organic cinnamon (for the Cinnamon O’s), and organic strawberry powder (for the Strawberry O’s), along with a few others. Overall, the ingredient lists for each of the flavors are short and easy to understand! No weird or processed ingredients are used in any of Lovebird’s varieties.

My Personal Lovebird Cereal Review

As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, cereal has not been a staple part of my diet for years. I had taken all of the super sugary “conventional” cereal out of my diet a long time ago. I’d tried some of the keto-friendly brands like Catalina Crunch over the past few years… And while most of those brands are definitely better than the more mainstream brands in terms of clean and healthy ingredients, they honestly still left me quite bloated most of the time!

So, when I tried Lovebird and found that I not only really liked the way it tasted, but it also didn’t make me bloated or give me sugar crashes or anything… Well, needless to say, I was sold!

I already told you about the ingredients, so let me tell you about my thoughts regarding the taste and texture.

First of all, the Cacao flavor is my favorite, with the Cinnamon coming in at a close second. I especially like to eat them as a late-evening snack. (Yes, I know you’re supposed to stop eating a few hours before bed, but I am who I am, and I’m a late eater!)

I find myself reaching for the Unsweetened O’s earlier in the day, either for breakfast or when I need a little bit of fuel before my afternoon workout.

I honestly think that the cacao, cinnamon, and honey flavors have the perfect amount of sweetness. (I haven’t had the chance to try the strawberry flavor yet; it’s brand new!) Of course, they’re not as sweet as the old Cinnamon Toast Crunch or Fruit Loops, but I personally wouldn’t want them to be (it’s too much!). But Lovebird is still sweet enough that it satisfies my sweet tooth!

Now, I haven’t had Cheerios in a long time, but I would say that the texture of the cereal is very comparable to what I remember. It’s got a nice light and airy crunch to it, and it’s soft enough that toddlers can easily eat it the same way they would classic Cheerios. The Unsweetened flavor is a great option for introducing little ones to solid food once they reach six to nine months old. (Just remember that children under one year old should not consume honey, so you should stick to the Unsweetened flavor until then.)

Where You Can Buy Lovebird Cereal

The best place to get Lovebird is straight from their website, mostly because you can get 15% off with our coupon code (THEFILTERY15) when you buy it there.

(Note that they DO ship internationally, but you are responsible for any import duties, taxes, and VAT.)

Lovebird cereal is also available at many retail locations around the U.S., including Fred Meyer, Whole Foods, The Fresh Market, and more. Click here to find the retail store nearest to you.

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