Best Comparison of Fruity Pebbles vs. Cocoa Pebbles
Aside from the obvious difference of fruity flavors or a sweet chocolatey flavor, there are some distinct differences between Fruity PEBBLES™ and Cocoa PEBBLES™ cereal.
This is your best reference guide to quickly and easily compare the similarities and differences between the nutritional value and ingredients.
Fruity Pebbles vs. Cocoa Pebbles
About Post Consumer Brands
Post Consumer Brands® is a leading manufacturer of cereals, snacks, and pet food products. Founded in 1895 in the U.S. state of Michigan, Post produces over one billion pounds of breakfast cereal annually.
Its portfolio of cereals includes more than a dozen well-known brands and flavor varieties, including Honey Bunches of Oats, Grape-Nuts, OREO O’s, and Weetabix, among many others.
Another highly popular Post cereal is PEBBLES™. Launched in 1971, the crispy rice cereal brand is recognizable by iconic Flintstones cartoon characters that adorn all of the packaging. THE FLINTSTONES, originally created by Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, aired in the 1960s and continues to be recreated in movies by Warner Bros Animation, its current parent company.
PEBBLES Cereals: Flavors
PEBBLES is available in two core flavors: Fruity and Cocoa. In addition, Post produces limited edition PEBBLES cereals based on the season or to introduce special shapes that appeal to its audience. For example, Halloween Fruity Pebbles and Winterfest Fruit PEBBLES with marshmallows.
Certain flavors and/or shapes may only be available for a limited time.
Nutritional Comparison
Remember to check the serving size when comparing the nutritional value of two or more packaged foods. Use data that is based on the same serving size in a measurable quantity such as one cup, tablespoon, gram, or liter (for example).
One measured serving size of Fruity PEBBLES and Cocoa Pebbles is based on one cup with a net weight of 36 grams.
Calories
There are 140 total calories per serving of either cereal before adding milk. More than 80% of the total calories are derived from carbohydrates.
About ten percent of total calories is derived from dietary fats. Both cereals have zero saturated fat and zero trans fat (per serving).
The only difference in the amount of macronutrients (i.e., fats, carbs, proteins) is Cocoa PEBBLES contains 2 grams of proteins compared to one gram of protein in Fruity PEBBLES. Due to rounding, the total calories are the same with approximately five percent derived from proteins.
Here is a table listing the nutritional information for Fruity PEBBLES and Cocoa PEBBLES.
PEBBLES Cereal Nutrition Facts
| Per serving: 36g | FRUITY PEBBLES | COCOA PEBBLES |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 140 | 140 |
| Total Fat | 1.5g | 1.5g |
| – – Saturated Fat | 0g | 0g |
| – – Trans Fat | 0g | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0mg |
| Sodium | 190mg | 220mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 31g | 31g |
| – – Dietary Fiber | 0g | <1g |
| – – Total Sugars | 12g | 12g |
| – – – – Added Sugars | 12g | 12g |
| Protein | 1g | 2g |
Nutrition facts is for cereal only, before adding milk. For informational purposes only.
Vitamins and Minerals
Many Post cereals naturally contain or are fortified with vitamins and minerals. The two PEBBLES varieties in this comparison are no exception.
The following table illustrates the percentage daily value (%DV) of vitamins and minerals in a single serving of each cereal.
The %DV is based on 2,000 calories, which is the standard measure used for general adult nutrition advice. However, individual nutrition needs vary and your daily value may differ. Consult your physician for dietary advice.
PEBBLES Cereal Vitamins and Minerals Comparison
| Per serving: 36g | FRUITY PEBBLES | COCOA PEBBLES |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin D | 10% | 10% |
| Iron | 6% | 15% |
| Potassium | 0% | (60mg) 0% |
| Vitamin A | 50% | 50% |
| Vitamin C | 10% | na |
| Thiamin | 35% | 30% |
| Riboflavin | 40% | 40% |
| Niacin | 40% | 30% |
| Vitamin B6 | 25% | 25% |
| Folate | 60% | 50% |
| Vitamin B12 | 80% | 80% |
| Zinc | 15% | 15% |
For information purposes only. Not a significant source of calcium.
Food producers may change their recipes and product formulations without notice. Although we update our guides regularly, we recommend checking the nutrition facts and ingredient line information on the packaging for the most accurate information about a specific product.
Ingredients
Fruity PEBBLES and Cocoa Pebbles are made with a dozen or fewer ingredients. Both are rice-based cereals made with sugar, oil, salt, artificial flavors, and natural flavor. In addition, both cereals contain BHT, an additive primarily used to preserve freshness in packaged foods.
Food Coloring
Moreover, both Fruity PEBBLES and Coco PEBBLES are made with a type of food coloring. Cocoa Pebbles is made with caramel color, an additive that’s created by cooking sugars with one or more food-grade acids, alkalis, or salts.
It’s used in many commercially processed foods and beverages, including Quaker Cinnamon Life cereal, Coca-Cola, Chick-fil-A’s Peppermint Milkshake, and Arby’s Roast Beef sandwich bun.
Unlike Cocoa PEBBLES, Fruity PEBBLES contains multiple types of food coloring, including red, yellow, and blue dyes. PEBBLES fans appreciate the colorful concoction for breakfast while proponents advocate against the use of chemical food coloring, particularly in cereals marketed toward children.
List of Ingredients
| FRUITY PEBBLES | COCOA PEBBLES | |
|---|---|---|
| Rice | Yes | Yes |
| Sugar | Yes | Yes |
| Canola and/or Soybean Oil | Yes | Yes |
| Salt | Yes | Yes |
| Cocoa (processed with alkali) | — | Yes |
| Caramel Color | — | Yes |
| Natural and Artificial Flavor | Yes | Yes |
| Red 40 | Yes | — |
| Yellow 6 | Yes | — |
| Yellow 5 | Yes | — |
| Blue 1 | Yes | — |
| Turmeric Oleoresin | Yes | — |
| BHT | Yes | Yes |
| BHA | Yes | — |
| Vitamins & Minerals | Sodium Ascorbate and Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Reduced iron, Zinc Oxide, Vitamin A Palmitate, Pyridoxinehydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Thiamin Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Folic Acid, Vitamin D3, Vitamin B12 | Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Reduced iron, Zinc Oxide, Vitamin A Palmitate, Pyridoxinehydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Thiamin Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Folic Acid, Vitamin D3, Vitamin B12 |
Ingredients may not be listed in order of dominance by weight.
Other Fruity PEBBLES Cereals
Given the popularity of the core PEBBLES cereals, it’s no surprise to find additional cereals and sweet treats with the same intense fruity flavor and chocolatey crunch in grocery stores across the United States.
Winterfest Fruity PEBBLES
Made with marshmallows, this limited edition sweetened rice crisps cereal contains similar ingredients as the original Fruity PEBBLES, including the food coloring Yellow 5, Red 40, and Blue 1.
Moreover, it also contains a bioengineered food ingredient (modified cornstarch), corn syrup, dextrose, gelatin, citric acid, and sodium hexametaphosphate.
Note that the serving size of Winterfest is also reported as one cup, but the net weight is 40 grams, 4 grams more than regular Cocoa or Fruity PEBBLES.
Berry PEBBLES
The Berry Pebbles cereal is made with only seven ingredients: Rice, Sugar, Vegetable Oil (canola and/or soybean), Salt, Red 40, Natural Flavor, and Blue 1.
The serving size is set at one cup with a slightly lower net weight of 36 grams. Total calories per serving is 140, which is the same as regular Fruity Pebbles and Cocoa Pebbles.
Ingredients, allergens, and nutrition facts are based on available information as of the date this article was published and/or updated. Restaurants and food manufacturers may change their recipes without notice. Check directly with the food provider for the most accurate and up-to-date information. NutritionandIngredients.com does not provide health or wellness advice or dietary recommendations. Our aim is to research commercially processed food and publish articles for informational purposes only. Unless otherwise stated, % Daily Value is based on 2,000 calories per day, but calorie needs vary by individual. Always consult your physician for any healthcare or dietary advice.
