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When you first begin adjusting your diet to improve your health it can be difficult to determine which foods actually benefit your body, and which ones are merely well packaged junk food. The concept of ‘healthy’ food is rather vague because the reality is that you can eat most things in moderation and still lose weight, so long as you’re creating balance in your diet. However, there are some foods which contain more nutrients than others, adding value to your diet where other items may simply be empty calories.
Carbs are an essential part of any well-balanced diet, increasing satiety and providing your body with the necessary energy to function throughout your day. Yet not all carbs are created equal, and there are some which may be marketed as healthy while actually lacking the vitamins and minerals needed to make a difference in your wellbeing. If you’ve begun crafting a balanced diet but are still struggling to lose weight, there’s one carb that health experts agree may be making things more difficult in the long run.
Granola
Granola is a popular addition to a variety of traditionally healthy meals from greek yogurt to oatmeal. Often marketed as being high in protein, granola can add texture and flavor to even the blandest dishes. However, while delicious, the reality is that most granola variations are loaded with calories and sugar, negating any benefits that protein may offer.
“While granolas are touted as being very healthy, they are often loaded with sugar and can pack 330 calories in just 1/3 of a cup,” warns Melissa Morey MS, RD, CPT. Because granola is typically regarded as healthy, it can be easy to overeat as it feels like you’re doing something good for your body instead of consuming an influx of calories instead.
Maintaining a calorie deficit is integral for assuring gradual, healthy weight loss, and eating high calorie foods will naturally make this much more difficult to achieve. Granola, while providing some nutritional benefit in the way of fiber and protein depending on what’s included in the mixture, can also contain an overwhelming amount of calories that work against the deficit you’re working to achieve.
In addition, high sugar foods can have a serious negative impact on your metabolism, causing your body to burn less fat and making it more difficult to ensure a deficit for weight loss. Healthline reports, “Some granolas have nearly 4 teaspoons (17 grams) of sugar in a single serving. Because it’s common to eat more than the standard serving size, you could be getting a substantial amount of sugar in just one bowl.”
Just because processed granola isn't the best addition to your diet doesn’t mean that you need to remove the crunchy treat entirely. “These granolas can be replaced by making your own granola at home or by picking a muesli or oat mix with no added sugars. An even better option would be to top your yogurt parfait with fresh berries or chia seeds instead,” says Morey.
Try this quick and easy recipe loaded with fruits and nuts the next time you’re in need of a topping for your yogurt so you know exactly what’s going into your meal without overdoing it on sugar and calories.
Categorizing foods as ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’ contributes to the toxic mindset of diet culture, so it’s best to look at foods in terms of what nutrients they provide your body. Although delicious, granola is often loaded with calories, sugar, and fat, making it of less value to your diet than a homemade option or some nuts and seeds.
You can still consume granola in moderation, just keep in mind that calories can quickly add up, so if you’re working to lose weight you should be cognizant of perhaps choosing another crunchy topping to further you towards your goals.
