IS GRANOLA GOOD FOR YOU?
GRANOLA IS USUALLY CONSIDERED A HEALTHY BREAKFAST CEREAL. It’s a toasted mixture of rolled oats, nuts, and a sweetener like sugar or honey, though it can also include other grains, puffed rice, dried fruit, seeds, spices, and nut butters. Many types of granola contain healthy ingredients that may offer numerous benefits, including reduced inflammation and improved blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and gut health.
for granola. The first few ingredients should be whole foods, such as oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. Avoid products that list sugar or sweeteners —including natural sweeteners like honey — within the first few ingredients. You may also want to look for varieties high in protein and fiber. Aim for at least 3–5 grams of fiber per serving.
Yet, some ingredients — such as chocolate, oils, and syrups — may be high in added sugars and fats. In general, granola with more dried fruits or added sweetener is higher in sugar, nut- and seed-based varieties are higher in protein, and those with more whole grains are higher in fiber.
You should carefully consider serving sizes, which vary from 2 tablespoons to 2/3 cup. Particularly small serving sizes can be misleading, as you’re likely to consume more than that amount.
Because ingredients vary widely by brand, it’s important to read nutrition labels carefully when shopping
30
fall-winter 2020
Finally, you can make granola yourself to minimize or eliminate added sugar and fat. However, remember that nuts and seed are still calorie-dense, so be sure to watch your portions even for homemade varieties.
