Although granola is extremely popular, some people are still unaware of this healthy snack. Here you will get answers to questions such as—What is granola? What is the history of granola? How to choose granola? So, why wait? Read on to find answers to all your queries regarding this superfood.

What is granola?

Granola is a breakfast cereal that contains oats, nuts, and dried fruits as base ingredients with some added sugar or other types of sweetener. It is a very versatile type of food, which you can have in different ways. You can have it with milk, as a topping for your ice cream or yogurt. You can make cookies out of it, or eat it in the form of granola bars. Granola is not only delicious but also healthy as it contains many nutritious ingredients.

What is the history of granola?

Dr. James Caleb Jackson first invented granola in 1863. He made it by crushing graham flour and then baking it. He named it Jackson’s Granula. Later, a similar recipe was developed by Dr. John Harvey Kellog, in which he used wheat flour, cornmeal, and oatmeal. He also named it granula. After being sued by Jackson, he changed the name from granula to granola. By 1899, Kellog was successful in selling around four tons of granola in a month.

But after some time, the sales of granola went down, and it was only in the 1960s that it started regaining popularity. This time, nuts and fruits were also added to the recipe to make it healthier. It was Layton Gentry who came up with the modern recipe of granola. In 1972, the first mass-market granola, named Heartland Natural Cereal, came out. Since then, the granola-making business has grown exponentially. Today, it is produced in different flavors, such as dark chocolate granola, strawberry-favored granola, etc.

How can you buy healthier granola?

To make a healthier choice of granola, you have to carefully read the nutrition labels mentioned on the package. The market has many flavors and brands of granola to offer, but you need to be careful of what you decide to buy. Some brands may try to attract you with luxurious packaging, but they might contain a lot of hidden sugar, which can be detrimental to your health. You should try to look for brands that have less sugar content. The sugar content is always mentioned on the ingredients list, so make sure to check that and choose accordingly. Along with sugar, you have to be mindful of the salt content as well, some brands tend to add too much salt to enhance the flavor. You should look for products that contain a higher content of nuts, fruits, and seeds as these ingredients have many health benefits and will keep you fuller for a longer period.

Today, the market is full of different types of granola. In case, you are allergic to certain ingredients, you will find brands that do not use that particular ingredient. For instance, if you are allergic to gluten, you will find tons of brands that provide gluten-free variations of granola. Similarly, if you love a particular flavor, such as dark chocolate, you can buy granola dark chocolate from the market.