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Last Updated on December 16, 2023
Granola has gained popularity as a trendy, nutrient-rich breakfast choice. Simply put, granola is a blend of rolled oats, which is the main ingredient, with flavor and texture enhancing additives like dried fruits, nuts, sweeteners, and spices. Several brands have churned out varieties of granola mixes so that consumers are spoiled for choice.
In recent years, however, grain-free granolas have come to the forefront for a variety of reasons. If you’ve ever gone on a hike with your dog, you know how easy it is to grab some granola to enjoy as a quick snack. Their ingredients, health benefits, and popular types are explored in this article.
Why should you read granola labels?
Granola is a rich source of protein, fiber, iron, magnesium, zinc, and vitamins B and E. However, some of the more popular commercial varieties are giving granola a bad rap. It’s important to read your labels because many popular commercial brands have high sugar content due to the sweeteners used. Additives such as high fructose corn syrup or refined sugars are commonly used in the brands you’ll find at supermarkets and gas stations. If you’re not careful, you might buy a variety that contains around 4 teaspoons of sugar in a single serving, while the USDA recommendation for daily sugar intake is twelve teaspoons or less. Ingredients like these make it difficult to cut down sugar in other sources throughout the day.
You will also want to read the labels if you have dietary restrictions. If you avoid gluten, did you know that not all granola is gluten-free? Labels are important when you’re trying to avoid food made from GMOs, as well.
What is grain-free granola?
Grain-free granola is free of oats, which is the principal ingredient in traditional granola. Instead, grain-free granola is a healthy blend of nuts, seeds, and dried fruits.
What are the benefits of grain-free granola?
– It is a suitable choice as a breakfast food or snack for anyone on a ketogenic diet. A keto diet is a high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet. With the absence of oats, grain-free granola is a low-carbohydrate choice.
– It is still a great source of protein and fiber from the nuts and dried fruits that it contains. Most brands contain a substantial five grams of protein per serving.
– It is also a great source of vitamins and minerals like traditional granola.
– With the relatively higher volume of dried fruits compared to conventional granola to make up for the absent oats, grain-free granola is sufficiently sweet without requiring additional artificial or high-sugar natural sweetening additives.
What are the best grain-free granola brands to try?
Paleonola Grain-Free Granola is a nutritious blend that comes in three delicious flavors, which are Original, Chocolate Fix, and Maple Pancake. It contains nuts like walnuts and pecans, seeds like flax and sunflower, and coconut. It is gluten-free and non-GMO certified. It is free of artificial flavorings and preservatives. It does not contain soy or dairy. Its all-natural ingredients make it compatible with vegetarian, vegan, paleo, and keto diets.
Wildway Grain-Free Granola comes in three delicious flavors: Banana Nut, Apple Cinnamon, and Coconut Cashew. It is certified organic and contains all-natural ingredients. It is free of artificial flavoring agents.
Kitchfix Granola is available in four sumptuous flavors, which are Original Mix, Cocoa Sea Salt, Honey Pecan, and Triple Berry. It is made up of large clusters and is lightly sweetened with natural sweeteners like coconut and maple syrup.
Purely Elizabeth grain-free granola comes in the tempting flavor of Coconut Cashew. This brand is renowned for its traditional granolas, which are natural and healthy, like ancient grain granola. Coconut Cashew is one of their grain-free varieties.
Super Simple Sprouted Granola by Go Raw is made up of sprouted buckwheat groats and sprouted flaxseed. It is very rich in fiber and contains no nuts, making it a low-fat choice. It is kosher and made entirely of plant-based ingredients.
By opting for one of these healthy, gluten-free, breakfast or snack choices, you can further reduce the fat, sugar, and carbohydrate content in your diet. You can select a variety that fits your lifestyle, from among paleo-friendly, keto-friendly, organic, and other convenient grain-free alternatives.
