The Coco Pops Redemption

In the last issue of The Holy Bulk, I probably disappointed a few of you when I exposed peanut butter as one of the most overrated foods for bulking.
As they say — you win some, you lose some.

So this week, I’m bringing good news: a cheat food that’s not only safe in moderation but can actually support your gains when used smartly.

And yes — this might surprise you.

It’s Coco Pops.

“Wait... Coco Pops?”

Yep. The same cereal many of us grew up loving as kids.

If you’ve spent any time on fitness social media, you’ve probably seen bodybuilder Eddie Abbew passionately condemning Coco Pops (and most processed foods). His main argument? Too much sugar.

He’s not wrong — sugar can be problematic in the wrong context.
But as we’ve learned throughout the Holy Bulk, context is everything.

🍚 Breaking It Down

At its core, sugar is energy — it’s just carbohydrate, the same macronutrient found in white rice, potatoes, and fruit juice.

Granted, it doesn’t carry the same micronutrients or polyphenols, but metabolically, glucose and fructose still refill glycogen and lower cortisol when timed correctly.

That’s why in our framework, the goal isn’t to eliminate sugar — it’s to use it strategically.

✅ Why the Gluten-Free Coco Pops Work

Let’s strip the label down and look at what we’re really eating:

Ingredients:
White rice (69%), sugar, cocoa (4.5%), salt, vitamins (vitamin E, niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, folate).

That’s… honestly pretty clean.

No gluten, no vegetable oils, no weird fillers. Mostly puffed white rice + sugar, fortified with B-vitamins that help carbohydrate metabolism. Even the added salt helps maintain electrolyte balance and supports aldosterone regulation (important for hydration and recovery).

It’s almost like a simplified, fortified, high-carb pre-workout meal hiding behind a cartoon mascot.

⚙️ The Macros (Per 100g)

• Protein: 5.7 g

• Fat: 1 g

• Carbohydrates: 87.5 g

That’s near-perfect nutrient segregation — pure carbs with negligible fat, making it ideal for glycogen replenishment and muscle recovery.

Add skim milk and a scoop of whey isolate, and you’ve got a top-tier pre- or post-workout combo that digests easily and spikes insulin exactly when you want it to.

🍽 When to Use It

If you’re training hard, Coco Pops can fit perfectly:

• Pre-workout: fast carbs for fuel and pump

• Post-workout: easy glycogen refill and cortisol drop

If you’re not training that day? No issue — just balance it with some movement. A quick 15-minute walk or even a few push-up sets will make sure the sugar goes toward muscle, not fat.

🧠 The Takeaway

Used intelligently, Coco Pops are an S-tier cheat food — simple ingredients, clean carb profile, and no inflammatory fats.

They’re not a license to binge, but they’re miles better than the peanut butter “health hack” that ruins digestion and skews macros.

Be mindful, track your intake, and enjoy them for what they are — a fun, nostalgic tool that can actually support your bulk when used right.

Until next time,
Sainté