Tasty, good-for-you granola: we ate bowl after bowl of granola to find the best - Cooking and Nutrition Tips

Natural Health, March, 2003 by Cheryl Redmond

DESPITE ITS EARTHY, WHOLESOME image, granola is not necessarily a health food. Most granola is too laden with fat and sugar and too light on fiber to constitute a sensible everyday breakfast. And many brands contain unhealthy trans fats or refined sweeteners. We tried eight granolas with healthier fats and sweeteners; here are the five we liked best.

A caveat: Not all of these contain the amount of fiber (at least 5 g) or sugar (less than 12 g) found in the ideal cold cereal. For great taste plus good nutrition, combine a few tablespoons of granola with a small serving of unsweetened multigrain cereal.

BRAND                    NUTRIENT INFO            TASTERS' COMMENTS

Cascadian Farm Oats      Per 2/3 cup serving *:   Glossy golden color,
and Honey                230 cal, 6 g fat, 1 g    small, crisp
($3.99; 17 ounces)       sat fat, 13 g sugar,     clusters. Very sweet,
                         5 g protein, 3 g         pleasing honey taste.
                         fiber

Familia Organic Swiss    Per 2/3 cup serving:     Deep golden clusters,
Crunch                   250 cal, 11 g fat,       hearty, crunchy
($5.89; 21 ounces)       3 g sat fat, 8 g         texture. Rich coconut
                         sugar, 6 g protein,      flavor with chopped
                         4 g fiber                hazelnuts.

Health Valley Raisin     Per 2/3 cup serving:     Light and crisp, very
Cinnamon                 190 cal, 2 g fat, 0 g    fine texture, no
($2.99; 12.5 ounces)     sat fat, 10 g sugar,     clusters. Natural
                         5 g protein, 6 g         cinnamon flavor with
                         fiber                    moist raisins.

Nature's Path Organic    Per 1/2 cup serving:     Large, airy clusters
Hemp Plus                140 cal, 5 g fat, 0 g    flecked with flax and
($3.49; 11.5 ounces)     sat fat, 6 g sugar, 4    hemp seeds. Lightly
                         g protein, 4 g fiber     sweet, nutty flavor.

New England Natural      Per 2/3 cup serving:     Flaky, not crunchy.
Bakers Save the Forest   220 cal, 9 g fat, 1.5    Mildly sweet, with
Granola Absolutely       g sat fat, 7 g sugar,    fresh raisins,
Nuts                     6 g protein, 4 g fiber   cashews, coconut, and
($3.49; 12 ounces)                                sesame seeds.

* Manufacturers' recommended serving sizes.

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Tasty, good-for-you granola: we ate bowl after bowl of granola to find the best - Cooking and Nutrition Tips

Natural Health, March, 2003 by Cheryl Redmond

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