Granola - Diet & Nutrition Message Board

MariaBB · 10-16-2008, 12:21 PM

Is granola generally considered a healthy food for the diet conscious? If so, could you recommend a good tasting granola that doesn't have a ton of calories?

JohnR41 · 10-18-2008, 09:51 AM

I don't think granola is a particularly healthy food for the diet conscious, even the brands that have somewhat less calories. The problem is: 1) It's a somewhat processed food (unlike steel-cut oats for example). 2) If it tastes good, you likely won't be satisfied with a 1/2 cup or 2/3s cup serving.

So the calories can really get up there in a hurry if you decide to go for a larger than recommended serving. But there's no doubt that it seems to have the image of health. It's usually sold in health food stores and in the health food sections of supermarkets. And it looks great on the shelf.

Porcelainedove · 11-09-2008, 11:31 PM

I also LOVE granola!!

,only problem with this "health food" is that there is usually ALOT of added syrups and sweeteners in it that you would never guess,also alot of hidden fat is added for palatability; unfortunately,it's usually butter or hydrogenated oil that is added..if you like nuts and seeds and flaked grain/dried fruit,muesli is a better option if you are more health-conscious like i am. eventhough it is not exactly like granola; (be careful of the type you buy,some are worse than granola!) if you read your labels properly; you will find that a good muesli cereal is just as tasty and more nutritious than most granola.. i personally eat an organic swiss muesli that is made by PC,the dryness can be quickly overcome with
some fatfree flavoured yogurt and maybe a banana chopped overtop; but
it makes a good snack on the go just to keep a handful in a sandwich baggy,
the dryness slows you down a bit more and it keeps you for awhile unlike the butter-laden sugary stuff.
muesli is rich in complex carbs,more filling,and much healhtier than granola.