Survey Reveals Some of the Wacky Ways Canadians Enjoy Their Breakfast Cereal

Today is National Cereal Day and a recent survey by Kellogg Canada Inc. reveals that we are a nation of cereal lovers who aren't afraid to experiment. The survey revealed that 46 percent of Canadians top their cereal with fresh fruit.

MISSISSAUGA, ON -- Raise your spoons to salute a Canadian favourite! Today, March 7, 2018 is National Cereal Day and a recent survey by Kellogg Canada Inc. reveals that we are a nation of cereal lovers who aren't afraid to experiment. Nine-out-of-10 Canadians eat cereal, with over half of us enjoying it one-to-three times per week. And our love extends beyond the breakfast table with 35 percent of Canadians having cereal as a late-night snack, and 21 percent enjoying it any time of day.

Also read, General Mills new patent will make breakfast cereals healthier and crunchier.

A deep dive into our cereal bowls reveals:

• A whopping 95 percent of us pour the cereal into the bowl first.
• 70 percent of Canadians eat their cereal quickly to keep it crisp, while 30 percent prefer it soggy.
• Millennials are the biggest fans of the crunch (78 percent) versus Boomers (59 percent).
• Canadians like to mix it up with 19 percent of us creating our own custom blend of mix 'n match cereal favourites.
• Canadian cereal choices are driven by taste above everything else at 75 percent. Nutrition follows at 60 percent, and value at 42 percent.

"Canadians are Cereal Adventurers who embrace the unconventional. Not only do we experiment with flavours, our survey shows that cereal is also popular throughout the day, from breakfast to a late-night snack and any time in between," says Lores Tomé, Director, Communications and Corporate Affairs, Kellogg Canada Inc. "We are proud that Kellogg's offers a variety of cereals that meet the different needs of our consumers including taste, nutrition and value."

Pour it On!
While 91 percent of Canadians choose classic, cold milk on our cereal, many of us like to let our creativity pour:

• Almost one quarter reach for milk alternatives like almond and soy – this jumps to 34 percent of Millennials;
• 22 percent stir it up with yogurt;
• 17 percent prefer cereal with hot milk; and
• 11 percent sweeten the bowl with flavoured milk like chocolate and strawberry. This rises to 17 percent of Millennials.

Why limit your cereal to dairy? Less than 5 percent of Canadians have tried fruit juice, water, coffee, or keep it festive with eggnog.

Top it Off!
Canadians are not afraid to experiment with surreal cereal toppings. While fresh fruit is the spoons-down favourite at 46 percent, some of us dare to be different:

• 12 percent drizzle on maple syrup, with men choosing the sweet stuff more than women;
• 5 percent scoop on ice cream;
• 3 percent add protein powder or peanut butter; and
• 1 percent have tried bacon, hot sauce, ketchup or soya sauce!

Cereal Cravings All Over the Canadian Map
While our nation is united in its love of cereal, we have some "bowled" regional preferences:

• Atlantic Canadians are most likely to custom-mix their cereals at 29 percent;
• Quebecers lead the nation in adding maple syrup at 19 percent;
• Ontarians are the most likely to enjoy cereal as an afternoon snack;
• Manitoba is the epi-cereal-centre of the nation with 33 percent enjoying a bowl three times a week or more;
• Those in Saskatchewan are most interested in texture at 32 percent;
• Albertans are most likely to try eggnog-soaked cereal at 7 percent; and
• Over a quarter of British Columbians top their cereal with earthy nuts and seeds.

Grab life by the cereal spoon and go bold with your bowl! Share your adventurous cereal creations in social with the hashtag on #NationalCerealDay.

SOURCE Kellogg Canada Inc.