Is Granola Fattening?
Granola has a reputation for being healthy for you. Indeed, the typical ingredients in granola purchased at the store have great nutritional value, including nuts, rolled oats and dried fruit. The extra ingredients in granola and the sheer number of calories and carbohydrates that make up 1 cup of granola, however, can take away from its nutritional contribution to your diet. Does this Spark an idea?
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Considerations
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Read the nutritional label of the granola you want to buy very carefully, especially the labels for granola bars. Granola bars have more preservatives and sweeteners and less fiber than bulk or otherwise loose-packaged granola, which can have more than twice as many calories as the same portion of healthy cereal. Remember, calories count.
Misconceptions
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In its healthier, loose form, granola does include ingredients that have nutritional importance. According to doctors and specialists at the Mayo Clinic, the fiber you need for digestive health can be found in whole grains and nuts, which can also be a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids. Still, eating too much of a good thing can be bad. Because granola is often sweetened, crunchy, and pleasing to eat, and because people think it's good for you, it's very easy to consume half of your daily calories by snacking on granola.
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Portion Control
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To control the amount you eat, measure 1/2 cup of granola and pour it into a bowl. Do not snack from an open bag of granola. According to the Daily Plate calorie counter, 1 cup of granola has 598 calories.
Ingredient Control
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Make your own granola so that you can control its ingredients. Mass-marketed granola, no matter how healthy, includes ingredients to ensure it travels and stores well, and to make it sweeter---ingredients that diminish granola's nutritional value. Use minimal sweetening agents, or cinnamon instead.
Fun Fact
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The first form of granola in the 19th century---initially called granula---was broken-up, baked Graham flour, a home-baked bread that became Graham crackers. As chef James Ehler explains on HubUK, whole grain Graham flour was the invention of Dr. Sylvester Graham who preached temperance and nutrition. He passionately advocated vegetarianism and urged people to cut alcohol and coffee out of their diet. Sheets of Graham flour were later baked until dry and crumbled by Dr. James C. Jackson to become known as granula.
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