Granola’s taking some heat these days, and we’re here for it.
We’re happy that the level of attention to food and wellness has grown for people all over the map. Even more people are considering not just the food they eat, but the validity of the health information they receive.
And as always, public opinion casts some foods ‘in’ or ‘out’.
This season? Granola is out.
But isn’t granola good for us? The short answer: it depends on its ingredients, and preparation.
FIRST, HOW WE GOT HERE
It’s believed that granola in its original form was intended as a health food and one part of a long term regimen for patients.
Its journey since then has taken in many forms until arriving at its most common version today: baked oats with nuts, seeds and fruit.
Its rise in popularity in the 1960s has been accredited to several health gurus and iconic pop culture moments associating granola with those who are laid-back, health conscious and environmentally friendly.
And we don’t have to tell you about granola’s versatility as dessert, snacks, or meals. This made it even more popular with families across America especially at a time where they desired low sugar breakfast alternatives.
So what happened?
THE PROBLEM WITH MOST GRANOLA TODAY
Somewhere along the way our favorite food of all time became less food and more experiment.
Companies prioritized profit by allowing pesticides, dangerous preservatives and addictive chemicals.
They gradually hiked sugar, added genetically modified organisms, and swapped for subpar oils.
Some brands are known for unrealistic portion sizes, masking high fat, high sodium and high calories amongst other things.
All of this is done under the guise of presenting a healthy option.
MOST GRANOLA INCLUDES…
-
-
- High Fat
- High Sodium
- High Sugar
- High Calorie Density
- Preservatives
- Refined Oils
- Ultra Processed Ingredients
- Genetically Modified Organisms
- Gluten (by cross contamination in processing oats)
- Unrealistic Portion Sizes (for a deceptive nutrition chart)
-
Fortunately, there are a handful of granola warriors that stay true to serving real food that nourishes, and we at Granola With Love are honored to be one of them!
HOW TO SPOT A HEALTHY GRANOLA
Sometimes a word can become so familiar, we forget it’s meaning, so let’s define terms.
By ‘healthy’ we mean:
“Beneficial to one’s physical, mental or emotional state: conducive to or associated with good health or reduced risk of disease.” - Merriam Webster
By this definition, most granola you see today is NOT supportive of our health or wellbeing.
So how can we find a granola that is?
Spotting a granola worth its pinch of salt comes down to the brand’s ingredients and baking process.
If you’ve been here for a while, you may know that we stan small batch baking.
As for ingredients, we believe that naturally grown whole foods with minimal processing and no preservatives, are generally conducive to long term health and well being.
We’re thankful that more communities are taking a deeper look at what’s in their food, how it affects them, and what they can do about it.
Wherever you are on your journey, we’re excited to play a part.
If you’re on the look out for a granola you can be sure about, or if it’s that time to restock again, check out our ingredients and shop Granola With Love here.
Until next time.
