If sugar is your main concern, Goldfish wins. Original Cheddar Goldfish have 0 grams of added sugar. Honey Teddy Grahams have 8 grams per serving, which makes them a cookie, not a cracker.
If sodium is your main concern, it flips. Teddy Grahams have about 90mg of sodium per serving. Goldfish have about 250mg.
Most parents searching this are thinking about sugar, so for an everyday snack, Goldfish is the better pick. Here’s the full comparison.
Side by Side
Both labels use a 30g serving. That’s about 55 Goldfish or 24 Teddy Grahams.
| Per 30g serving | Goldfish Cheddar | Teddy Grahams Honey | Teddy Grahams Chocolate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 140 | 130 | 130 |
| Added sugar | 0g | 8g | 7g |
| Sodium | about 250mg | about 90mg | about 70mg |
| Protein | 3g | 2g | 2g |
| Fiber | under 1g (2g in Whole Grain) | 1g | 2g |
| First ingredient | Enriched wheat flour | Graham (whole wheat) flour | Graham (whole wheat) flour |
| Synthetic dyes | None in original | None | None |
| Our tier | B | E | E |
Calories, protein and fat are close. The two numbers that really differ are added sugar and sodium.
Sugar: A Clear Win for Goldfish
The ingredient list for Honey Teddy Grahams includes sugar, honey and dextrose. Together that’s 8 grams of added sugar per serving. Chocolate Teddy Grahams have 7 grams.
For kids aged 2 to 18, the American Heart Association recommends less than 25 grams of added sugar a day, and none under age 2. One serving of Teddy Grahams uses about a third of that.
Goldfish Cheddar has no added sugar. It gets its flavor from cheddar cheese, salt and spices.
That’s why we rate Goldfish Tier B and Teddy Grahams Tier E. Teddy Grahams are fine as a treat. They’re a sweet snack, closer to animal crackers than to cheese crackers.
Sodium: Teddy Grahams Are Lower
Goldfish have roughly 250mg of sodium per 30g. Teddy Grahams have under 100mg.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans set a limit of 1,200mg a day for ages 1 to 3 and 1,500mg for ages 4 to 8. A serving of Goldfish is about a fifth of a toddler’s limit. That’s fine for one snack. It adds up if lunch is also deli meat and cheese.
Whole Grain: Teddy Grahams Start Ahead
Graham flour, which is whole wheat flour, is the first ingredient in Teddy Grahams. Original Goldfish use enriched white flour.
Goldfish Whole Grain closes the gap. It has 0g added sugar, 2g fiber and 240mg sodium per 55 pieces, so it’s the best of both.
Which to Pick, and When
| Situation | Better pick |
|---|---|
| Everyday snack | Goldfish (Whole Grain if you can) |
| Child under 2 (no added sugar advised) | Goldfish, in a supervised, age-appropriate amount |
| Lots of salty food already that day | Teddy Grahams, as an occasional treat |
| Something sweet for dessert | Teddy Grahams |
| Lunchbox, paired with fruit | Goldfish plus apple slices |
What About Goldfish Grahams?
This is where people get mixed up. Goldfish Grahams are the sweet version of Goldfish, and they’re nutritionally closer to Teddy Grahams than to Cheddar Goldfish. They have about 8g of added sugar per serving. If you’re comparing “sweet fish vs sweet bears,” they’re roughly equal.
Goldfish Colors are worth knowing about too. They have 0g added sugar, but they use synthetic dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 5. Our Goldfish breakdown covers every flavor.
Easy Ways to Make Either Snack Better
- Portion it out. Pour a serving into a bowl. Eating straight from a family-size bag adds up fast.
- Pair it. Goldfish with cheese or Teddy Grahams with plain yogurt makes a snack that lasts longer.
- Go half and half. Mixing Teddy Grahams with Whole Grain Goldfish halves the sugar and still feels like a treat.
- Read one line. The Includes Xg Added Sugars line on the Nutrition Facts panel tells you the answer for any flavor.
FAQ
Are Teddy Grahams or Goldfish healthier? For sugar, Goldfish. Original Cheddar Goldfish have 0g added sugar, while Honey Teddy Grahams have 8g. Teddy Grahams have less sodium.
How much sugar is in Teddy Grahams? Honey Teddy Grahams have 8g of added sugar per 24-piece serving. Chocolate Teddy Grahams have 7g.
Can toddlers eat Teddy Grahams? Teddy Grahams dissolve fairly easily, but they contain added sugar. The AHA recommends no added sugar for children under 2.
Are Goldfish Grahams the same as Goldfish? No. Goldfish Grahams are a sweet graham snack with about 8g of added sugar. Original Cheddar Goldfish have none.