Granola is both nutrient and calorie dense

LMQC Nutritionist blogger, Jeni Tackett, says there’s plenty to like about granola – but be careful what you put add to it if you want to eat healthy.

by Nutritionist Blogger, Jeni Tackett, RD, LD

Crunchy and delicious – Jeni says “Granola is good for you.”

Granola is crunchy and delicious but the real question remains: is it nutritious? Granola is a nutrient rich food. There are many benefits to including granola in your diet but also some cautions when choosing the perfect granola for you.

3 pros to including granola in your diet:

Nutrient rich: Granola includes ingredients such as oats which is a whole grain, dried fruit which contains vitamin c, and nuts which are rich in vitamin E and magnesium.

High fiber: The whole grain, fruit, and nut components to granola are fiber rich which is important for your intestinal health and provides a sense of fullness.

Versatile: It’s portable, and you can add granola to yogurt, add milk to granola, or even add hot water on cold days for a warm meal.

2 cautions when including granola in your diet:

Calorie dense: If you are trying to lose weight, adding granola to your diet does add a lot of calories. Just 2/3 cup contains around 250-300 calories which is the same as most candy bars.

Added sugar: Added sugars are often high in granolas. Look at the food label at the added sugar part of the label. Remember that 4 grams of sugar = 1 teaspoon of sugar. Try to find a granola with less added sugar.

Here are two popular granola food labels:

You could also use 1/2 cup instead of 2/3 cup to cut down on added sugars. Also, take time in the grocery store to compare labels and choose a granola with less added sugar.

It is important to enjoy your food, and granola can add a crunch that makes mealtime satisfying. Try making a yogurt parfait with Greek yogurt, frozen blueberries, and granola on top.

by Nutritionist Blogger, Jeni Tackett, RD, LD

Crunchy and delicious – Jeni says “Granola is good for you.”

Granola is crunchy and delicious but the real question remains: is it nutritious? Granola is a nutrient rich food. There are many benefits to including granola in your diet but also some cautions when choosing the perfect granola for you.

3 pros to including granola in your diet:

Nutrient rich: Granola includes ingredients such as oats which is a whole grain, dried fruit which contains vitamin c, and nuts which are rich in vitamin E and magnesium.

High fiber: The whole grain, fruit, and nut components to granola are fiber rich which is important for your intestinal health and provides a sense of fullness.

Versatile: It’s portable, and you can add granola to yogurt, add milk to granola, or even add hot water on cold days for a warm meal.

2 cautions when including granola in your diet:

Calorie dense: If you are trying to lose weight, adding granola to your diet does add a lot of calories. Just 2/3 cup contains around 250-300 calories which is the same as most candy bars.

Added sugar: Added sugars are often high in granolas. Look at the food label at the added sugar part of the label. Remember that 4 grams of sugar = 1 teaspoon of sugar. Try to find a granola with less added sugar.

Here are two popular granola food labels:

You could also use 1/2 cup instead of 2/3 cup to cut down on added sugars. Also, take time in the grocery store to compare labels and choose a granola with less added sugar.

It is important to enjoy your food, and granola can add a crunch that makes mealtime satisfying. Try making a yogurt parfait with Greek yogurt, frozen blueberries, and granola on top.