How Long Will Cereal Last In Mylar Bags?

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When deciding what foods you should store long-term, dried foods like cereal are a good choice regarding how long they’ll last. Cereal is an easy breakfast food and a staple for when you’re in a rush and just trying to get out the door.

With that being said, you have to choose which cereals are best for storing and the best way to prolong their life in storage. This article will discuss what to look for in cereals and explain the proper storage procedures.

How Do You Store it?

The best thing to store cereal in is a mylar bag with oxygen absorbers. Mylar bags are a fantastic item because not only will they keep moisture away, but light and oxygen as well. In addition, they are better at storing food because of the benefits they provide.

Keep the cereal in a cool and dry place, away from heat or water. Also, be sure to keep cereal in a high place to avoid stepping on and crushing them. Labeling them is always best practice so you don’t accidentally open the wrong bag.

 

What Type of Cereal Should You Choose?

Walking through the cereal aisle, you’ll notice how many cereals there are to choose from. I know for a lot of people, the first thing that comes to mind is all the sugar packed into a lot of them. What we don’t think about is the better choices in cereal, such as:

• Dry Oatmeal
• Cheerios
• Quaker Life
• Kellogg’s Special K with dried fruit
• Kix

 

Remember that getting a sugary cereal or two might also be a good idea to give your kids a sweet treat every now and then. This is because sweet cereals are easier to store than cookies or ice cream.

 

Will the Quality of Cereal Deteriorate with Time?

Cereal does go bad after a while. Fortunately, cereal stays edible for up to six months after its expiration date, and that’s without storing them in mylar bags. However, light and Moisture are the two things that can make your cereal deteriorate faster.

If moisture gets into your cereal, it may lose its crunch or grow mold. Insects can make themselves at home in your cereal if you leave it open. Be aware of the smell, texture, and look of your cereal. If you think something is off, throw it all away.

 

Are There Any Cereals That Should Not Be Stored this Way?

Sugary cereals tend to be a no-go when it comes to storing food. Sugar can break down nutrients and doesn’t provide any nutritional value. Below is a list of some of the worst cereals you can buy depending on their nutritional value:

• Frosted Flakes
• Trix
• Cinnamon toast crunch
• Cocoa Krispies
• Froot loops

 

Having a couple of sugary cereals as a sweet treat is okay, though. There are lots of cereals that are sweet but not as bad as the cereals listed above.

• Honey Nut Cheerios
• General Mills Golden Grahams
• Honey Bunches of Oats
• Raisin Bran

 

Which Cereals Last the Longest?

Fortunately, all cereals last around 6-8 months past their expiration date. Even cereals that are high in sugar will last a long time because cereal comes dry, which is ideal for storing. If you keep them in the mylar bag, it can extend their life up to 10 years.

If you want to store dry, hot cereal like uncooked oatmeal, it can last up to a year without going through other storing procedures. If you store uncooked oatmeal in a mylar bag, it can last 20 years or more.

 

Final Thoughts on How Long will Cereal Last in Mylar Bags

When deciding what foods you should store long-term, dried foods like cereal are a good choice regarding how long they’ll last. The best thing to keep cereal in is a mylar bag with oxygen absorbers. Some good cereal options are cheerios and dry oatmeal.

Although sugary cereals don’t provide many nutrients, it might be good to store one or two cereals like honey nut cheerios and honey bunches of oats to give yourself a sweet treat now and then.

Fortunately, all cereals will last at least ten years if stored in mylar bags, regardless of the sugar content. If you want to keep uncooked oatmeal, it can last over 20 years. Be sure to put your cereal in a high dry place away from heat.

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