Breakfast cereals
(ii) Breakfast cereals. Breakfast cereals are those as defined by the Food and Drug Administration in 21 CFR 170.3(n)(4) for ready-to-eat and instant and regular hot cereals. Through September 30, 2025, breakfast cereals must contain no more than 6 grams of total sugars per dry ounce. By October 1, 2025, breakfast cereals must contain no more than 6 grams of added sugars per dry ounce. (iii) Desserts. Grain-based desserts do not count toward meeting the grains requirement. (5) Meats/meat alternates(i) Serving meats/meat alternates. Meats/meat alternates must be served in a main dish, or in a main dish and one other menu item. The creditable quantity of meats/meat alternates must be the edible portion as served of: (A) Lean meat, poultry, or fish; (B) Alternate protein products; (C) Cheese, or an egg; (D) Cooked dry beans, peas, and lentils; (E) Peanut butter; or (F) Any combination of these foods. (ii) Nuts and seeds. Nuts and seeds and their butters are allowed as meat alternates. Information on crediting nuts and seeds may be found in FNS guidance. (A) Nut and seed meals or flours may credit only if they meet the requirements for alternate protein products established in appendix A of this part. (B) Acorns, chestnuts, and coconuts do not credit as meat alternates because of their low protein and iron content. (iii) Yogurt. Four ounces (weight) or 1/2 cup (volume) of yogurt equals one ounce of the meats/meat alternates component. Yogurt may be used to meet all or part of the meats/meat alternates component as follows: (A) Yogurt may be plain or flavored, unsweetened, or sweetened; (B) Through September 30, 2025, yogurt must contain no more than 23 grams of total sugars per 6 ounces. By October 1, 2025, yogurt must contain no more than 12 grams of added sugars per 6 ounces (2 grams of added sugars per ounce); (C) Noncommercial or commercial standardized yogurt products, such as frozen yogurt, drinkable yogurt products, homemade yogurt, yogurt flavored products, yogurt bars, yogurt covered fruits or nuts, or similar products are not creditable; and (D) For adults, yogurt may only be used as a meat alternate when it is not also being used as a fluid milk substitute in the same meal. (iv) Tofu and soy products. Commercial tofu and soy products may be used to meet all or part of the meats/meat alternates component in accordance with FNS guidance and appendix A of this part. Non-commercial and non-standardized tofu and soy products cannot be used. (v) Beans, peas, and lentils. Cooked dry beans, peas, and lentils may be used to meet all or part of the meats/meat alternates component. Beans, peas, and lentils include black beans, garbanzo beans, lentils, kidney beans, mature lima beans, navy beans, pinto beans, and split peas. Beans, peas, and lentils may be counted as either a meat/meat alternate or as a vegetable, but not as both in the same dish. (vi) Other meat alternates. Other meat alternates, such as cheese, eggs, and nut butters may be used to meet all or part of the meats/meat alternates component.