Nature Valley Granola is a popular snack option among people looking for a quick, easy and tasty energy boost. But is it really healthy? It’s important to take a deeper look at the ingredients and nutritional facts to truly understand if Nature Valley Granola is a good choice for a healthy snack. With a combination of oats, nuts, and other ingredients, this granola has the potential to provide a nutritious snack for those looking for a quick and tasty bite. But what about the nutritional facts? Is Nature Valley Granola rich enough in vitamins and minerals? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients and nutritional facts to see if Nature Valley Granola is the healthy snack you’ve been searching for.
Is Nature Valley Granola Healthy?
A lot of people are very familiar with the Nature Valley brand. In fact, it’s one of the most well-known granola brands on the market. However, despite being so popular, there are a lot of concerns about this brand’s products.
Overview Of Nature Valley Granola
High In Sugar
Wide varieties of granola are very high in sugar. Some even have as much as 13 grams per serving. This is a huge amount, and it’s much more than you need for a healthy meal or snack. It will also make your blood sugar levels spike, which can lead to some serious health problems in the long run.
Many Ingredients Are Unhealthy
There are many ingredients that are considered unhealthy on the Nature Valley granola label, including High Fructose Corn Syrup, corn syrup, and more. These ingredients are not healthy, and they should be avoided at all costs when possible.
Not Very Nutritious At All
The main ingredient in Nature Valley granola is oats, which certainly isn’t bad for you! However, there are very few nutrients that come from this granola because it’s processed so heavily with sugar and other unhealthy ingredients. This means that eating this product won’t give you a lot of benefits, so it’s not very nutritious at all.
Lots of Calories
Nature Valley granola is also very high in calories, which is another problem for many people who are trying to lose weight or stay healthy. This means that it’s very easy to overeat on this product and gain weight, which is something no one wants to do!
Low In Fiber
Nature Valley granola contains only 2 grams of fiber per serving, which is extremely low for a product like this. Most people need between 20 and 40 grams of fiber each day, so this amount is definitely not enough. It will be difficult for you to meet your daily fiber needs if you eat this product regularly!
No Protein
Nature Valley granola is also very low in protein, which is a problem for many people. This product only contains about 1 gram of protein per serving, which isn’t enough to make this a healthy snack or meal replacement. You need around 25 grams of protein each day to stay healthy and strong, so it’s not possible to get all of your daily requirements from this granola!
Very High In Sodium
Nature Valley granola is also very high in sodium, containing as much as 500 mg per serving! This is more than you need in one day, and it can cause some serious health problems if you eat this product regularly. This includes high blood pressure and other issues related to your heart health. It’s just not worth the risk!
Not Healthy For Kids Either
Finally, Nature Valley granola isn’t healthy for kids either because it contains sugars that are not safe for kids to consume. This includes high fructose corn syrup, which is one of the worst ingredients you can find in any food product.
Ingredients Of Nature Valley Granola
Wheat Flour
This is the first ingredient, which is not surprising. Wheat flour is a grain that has been refined. It’s been stripped of most of its nutrients, and all that’s left is an empty starch.
Oats
The second ingredient in Nature Valley granola is oats. Oats are a good source of fiber and contain some protein as well, but they’re also highly processed.
Sugar/Sucrose
The third ingredient in Nature Valley granola is sugar (also known as sucrose). There are many reasons why sugar is unhealthy for you, but one of the main ones is that it can cause inflammation in your body and even lead to cardiovascular problems if you consume it regularly enough.
Canola Oil
The fourth ingredient in Nature Valley granola is canola oil. Canola oil is one of the most processed oils on the market. It’s made from genetically modified rapeseed, which is an unhealthy fat that’s very difficult for your body to digest and process.
Milled Flaxseed
This is a healthy ingredient, but it’s still processed because it has been milled, which means that the outer layer has been removed, and only the inner seed remains.
Soybean Oil with TBHQ for Freshness
The sixth ingredient in this product is soybean oil with TBHQ for freshness. TBHQ is a synthetic chemical that’s used as a preservative to prevent fats from spoiling quickly, but it also has some other negative side effects as well, such as increasing your risk of developing cancer and potentially even causing nerve damage and birth defects if you consume it regularly.
Salt
The seventh ingredient in Nature Valley granola is salt. Salt is highly processed and very unhealthy, which is why it’s the last ingredient on this list.
Molasses (Non-Refined)
The eighth ingredient in Nature Valley granola is molasses, which sounds like a healthy ingredient but is actually highly processed because it has been refined and then has had some of its nutrients added back to it.
Natural Flavor (Vanilla)
The ninth ingredient in Nature Valley granola is natural flavor, which means that there are artificial flavors added to this product rather than natural ones.
BHT for Freshness
The tenth ingredient in Nature Valley granola is BHT for freshness. BHT is a synthetic chemical that’s used to preserve fats and oils, but it can also cause some serious side effects if you consume it regularly, including an increased risk of cancer and neurological damage.
Pros Of Nature Valley Granola
- They’re very tasty and easy to eat.
- They’re affordable and easy to find at most grocery stores.
- They’re very portable and easy to take with you on the go.
- They’re convenient to use.
- They’re made from whole grains, so it’s good for you.
Cons Of Nature Valley Granola
- The ingredients are less than ideal, including high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, and artificial flavors.
- A lot of these granola bars contain a lot of sugar (Sugar is listed as the second ingredient in wide varieties).
- Despite being advertised as healthy for children, these granola bars are not a healthy option for children (or adults) due to the fact that they contain unhealthy ingredients and a high amount of sugar.
- Some varieties of Nature Valley Granola Bars do not provide the same amount of nutrition as advertised on the packaging due to the fact that they include ingredients such as corn syrup or sugar in their list of ingredients (which are not necessary).
Conclusion
Nature Valley granola is a product that has a lot of potentials to be healthy. However, the ingredients it contains are not very good for you. There are added sugars, artificial sweeteners, and other ingredients that are not very healthy for you.
