FAQ
Granola is one of those “healthy” foods that can go either way. While the oats found in most granolas deliver a healthy dose of fiber, it’s the rest of the ingredients that really determine whether granola is truly healthy or not. Many store-bought varieties pack a pretty big sugar punch. Others deliver a heavy dose of fat. Others fill your tank with a whole lot of empty calories.
So how do you know which granolas to go for? We turned to Nutrisystem’s Registered Dietitian, Mandi Knowles, to get some of the facts on what to look for in granola—and what to avoid.
31 Healthy Summer Chicken Recipes
Read More
It’s Baseball Season: 6 Surprising Health Hacks for the Ballpark
Read More
Ditch the Drive-Thru: 10 Quick and Easy Breakfasts for Weight Loss
Read MoreBe Careful about Added Sugar
The biggest area where granola can go wrong is with the added sugar, says Knowles. Granolas are often higher in sugar because it is needed to bind all of the other ingredients together. As a rule of thumb, Knowles advises looking for granolas with fewer than 12 grams of sugar per serving.
“One way to reduce the overall added sugar is to choose varieties that do not contain dried fruits,” Knowles explains. “Instead, add your own fresh fruits to the granola, or add your own unsweetened dried fruits.”
Granola bars are also notorious for added sugar, if you aren’t reading nutrition labels carefully. Knowles warns that some granola bars are actually no healthier than eating a candy bar! It’s important to look for granola bars that incorporate whole grains, healthy fats and limit the added sugars.
31 Healthy Summer Chicken Recipes
Read MoreIt’s Baseball Season: 6 Surprising Health Hacks for the Ballpark
Read More
11 Sneaky Sources of Added Sugar
Read MoreWhat to Look For
Besides honing in on added sugar, Knowles suggests seeking out granola that contains a nice mix of whole grains and nuts to get a balance of both fiber and healthy fat. This combination will help keep you fuller for longer, which can be very helpful to those who are trying to lose weight.
In addition, the fiber from the whole grains and the healthy fat from the nuts are definitely a nutritious benefit. Many granolas on the market today are also incorporating healthy ingredients like chia seeds, which boost the fiber and healthy fat content even more, adds Knowles.
This is great, but one of the biggest mistakes that people make with granola is eating too much of it. There is always the possibility of eating too much of a good thing.
31 Healthy Summer Chicken Recipes
Read MoreIt’s Baseball Season: 6 Surprising Health Hacks for the Ballpark
Read More
The 6 Worst Breakfast Foods for Weight Loss
Read MoreSince we know how easy it is to go overboard, we offer granola products in the perfect portions. Nutrisystem Granola Cereal is a delicious option for granola lovers. The Nutrisystem Peanut Butter Oat Bar is another tasty treat that goes big on granola flavor.
But if you don’t have these diet-friendly options on hand, you can still go for granola. Just be smart about your selection. According to Knowles, “when choosing granola, always be sure to look at the serving size… Even though ingredients like nuts are healthy, they deliver a large amount of calories per serving. The serving size for granola is often very small—usually around a quarter cup.”
Knowles suggests that purchased granola products be portioned out into smaller Ziploc bags so that serving size cannot be overlooked. This ensures the correct portion is ready to go when needed.
31 Healthy Summer Chicken Recipes
Read MoreIt’s Baseball Season: 6 Surprising Health Hacks for the Ballpark
Read More
Healthy Cereal: 5 Criteria for Picking Yours
Read MoreThe Bottom Line
Whether it be sprinkling some on your yogurt or grabbing a bar on the go, granola can be a healthy option. With so many granola products on the market these days, Knowles reminds us that it is important to be careful of what you’re buying. Just watch your portion sizes and pay attention to the ingredients.
Fortunately, with a program like Nutrisystem, a lot of that legwork is eliminated. But if you’re shopping for granola in the supermarket, always be sure to read the labels and avoid the products with too much added sugar.
