This Seemingly Healthy Breakfast Food Should Actually Be Avoided

It’s mainly because of marketing that some foods seem healthy to us – until we realize they’re actually much less healthy.

This is the case with a breakfast staple that many like to add to their yogurts or bowls of milk.

At the risk of disappointing or surprising you, we regret to inform you that granola is much less healthy than it seems.

While its blend of oatmeal, nuts, seeds and dried fruit may seem like the perfect way to start your day, behind its health-food exterior lies a less-than-savory reality: granola can actually be a calorie bomb. Here’s why.

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Why should you be wary of granola?

One of the main problems with granola is its high calorie content.

Due to its composition rich in energy ingredients, a standard portion of granola can actually contain as many calories as a bag of crisps!

The numbers speak for themselves: 100g of granola is equivalent to around 450 to 500 calories, while a 100g bag of crisps contains between 500 and 550 calories.

Now, if we look at a standard portion of about 30g, count 135 to 150 calories for the granola and 150 to 165 calories for the chips.

This calorie density is mainly due to the oils, sugars, and syrups that are often added to give granola its crunchy texture and sweet taste. So while the base ingredients are healthy, the frequent additions of fats and sugars turn granola into a high-calorie food.

Pay attention to your portion sizes!

Aside from its calories, granola is also high in added sugars. A 100g serving of granola can contain an average of 20-25g of sugar, which is about the same amount as a chocolate bar.

Commercial brands often add sugar, corn syrup, honey, or other sweeteners to enhance the taste of their products. Consuming these hidden sugars can not only contribute to excess calorie intake, but also cause blood sugar spikes, which is not ideal for weight management and metabolic health.

Another downside to granola is the serving size. Nutrition labels typically list relatively small servings, usually around 30 to 50 grams.

However, it’s easy to go over this amount without realizing it, especially when you’re pouring granola directly into a bowl or snacking on it straight from the package. A generous serving can quickly double or even triple the calorie count listed on the package.

How to eat granola healthier?

For those who love granola and don’t want to give up this food, there are ways to consume it in a healthier way, as explained in particular by a dietitian-nutritionist on TikTok.

“To choose a good granola, you have to opt for the one that is closest to a homemade recipe,” recommends Ysaline, better known under the pseudonym @latiktokdiet. And she adds: “If the first ingredient on the packaging is sugar, it means that there is more sugar than cereals in the granola.”

So be sure to read labels carefully to opt for granola brands that use natural ingredients and limit added sugars. Look for products with short, understandable ingredient lists.

Above all, use a kitchen scale to measure the correct portions and avoid consuming directly from the package and do not hesitate to mix the granola with low-calorie foods such as fresh fruit or plain yogurt to increase the volume without adding too many calories.

Rather than opting for industrial references, the ideal is still to prepare your granola at home. This will allow you to better control the ingredients and reduce the amount of sugar and oil added.