About Granola
Granola, one of America's most popular health foods, isn't always as healthy as it seems. However, it can be a good alternative to other, fattier breakfast food and can be a protein-rich snack food. Just watch out for the extra calories. Make your own at home to control the calorie content, so you know it's healthy. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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Granola is an offshoot of the Swiss breakfast food muesli. Around 1900, Dr. Maxamilian Bircher-Benner developed muesli, a combination of uncooked rolled oats, fruits and nuts. He served his combination to his patients. The oats could be served raw or could be toasted or steamed prior to serving, and the muesli ingredients would be soaked in water, fruit juice, or a milk product before serving. After Dr. Bircher-Benner developed muesli, packaged versions became available. These combined the basic muesli ingredients, using dried fruit instead of fresh.
Granola, developed in the United States in the late nineteenth century, became more popular in the 1960's. It is similar to muesli in its basic ingredients. However, granola is usually coated in a sweetening substance, such as honey or a sugar syrup, and then toasted prior to serving. Though it has the same health benefits as muesli, providing whole grains, fruits, and protein from the nuts and/or milk, it also contains many more calories from the sweet coating.
Function
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Granola is primarily a breakfast food, often served as an alternative to other breakfast cereals. It tends to be more filling than cold breakfast cereals which do not contain dried fruits and nuts. Granola is also served as a snack food, either by itself or in combination as part of a trail mix blend.
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Types
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The most common types of granola in the United States are the pre-packaged boxes sold on the cereal aisle. These range from very basic, consisting only of rolled oats and other grains toasted in a sweetening syrup, to much more gourmet combinations with ingredients such as almonds, walnuts, dried cranberries, dried cherries, dried strawberries, raisins, currants and other similar food items.
Additionally, granola is sold in trail mix combinations. The basic ingredients are usually about the same, although the granola tends to be chunkier than the breakfast-cereal style. Trail mix combinations often include chocolate chips or candies.
Homemade granola is another option, and a very simple one. To make homemade granola, simply combine rolled oats with nuts and dried fruits, toss in a honey or sugar syrup, and spread on a greased cookie sheet. Toast just until lightly browned, stirring once or twice to be sure all surfaces toast evenly. Remove, let it cool and store it in an air-tight container.
Misconceptions
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Granola is often perceived as a far healthier alternative to standard cold breakfast cereals or high-fat breakfast foods such as sausage, bacon, and eggs. While granola is much lower in fat than the high-fat options, it is not necessarily healthier than cold breakfast cereals and can even contain more calories than many cold cereal options.
Benefits
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The benefits of granola come from its ingredients. The rolled oats provide whole grains, which are an excellent source of fiber. The dried fruit is a good energy source, and the nuts provide protein. It is filling and the energy the body receives from granola will usually last longer through the day than the energy received from other breakfast cereals, which are often made of simple carbohydrates and are processed by the body more quickly.
Granola is also very versatile. It works great with milk as a cold cereal, is excellent served with yogurt, or can also be served as a warm cereal on chilly mornings. It's also easy to transport and is a good snack option.
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Resources
- Photo Credit stu_spivack, upturnedface, rusvaplauke, lateapie on Flickr.
