Is granola healthy? 9 supermarket granolas we'd actually buy

Granola: a crunchy, chunky breakfast cereal (a bit like muesli) typically made from oats, nuts, seeds and dried fruit and served with Greek yoghurt and berries. You know the one.

The morning staple has been pretty demonised over the years, with some studies citing high sugar and calorie levels as reasons to swerve it altogether. BUT lots of granola's contain healthy ingredients that offer numerous health benefits, including reduced inflammation and improved blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and gut health...

So is granola healthy?

Isa Robinson, registered associate nutritionist and nutritional therapist, thinks so, when enjoyed in moderation and as part of a balanced meal. She says: ‘There's so much scaremongering around sugar. When you eat granola, you're often eating sugar alongside other ingredients, which means it also contains protein, healthy fats and fibre,’ (think the oats, nuts and dried fruits). This, she explains, reduces the glycemic index of the food (or the rate at which glucose enters the bloodstream, to help keep blood sugars more stable).

Plus, each granola brand has a unique recipe and therefore ingredients.

Macronutrient-wise, she says that most granola has a balance of wholegrains and slow-release carbs from the oats, healthy fats and protein from the nuts and seeds, plus high levels of fibre.

Health benefits of granola

• High in protein and fibre, which both contribute to feeling full.
• High-fibre ingredients found in granola, like oats and flax seeds, have been shown to help reduce blood pressure.
• Oats are a good source of beta-glucan, a type of fibre that works to reduce total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.

How to choose a healthy granola

When scouring the cereal aisle, it’s important to read the nutrition labels carefully. Look at the ingredient list and avoid anything with a long list of sugars and sweeteners.

Instead, choose products with whole ingredients – like raisins, seeds, and nuts – that are high in protein and fibre.

Robinson recommends aiming to make a meal that leaves you feeling satiated (comfortably full) and satisfied (hits the spot). ‘Add in some different nutrients, but also textures or flavours to create a satisfying breakfast. I like creamy Greek yoghurt for calcium and protein, and frozen berries or bananas.’

Looking for some inspo? We've got you covered with our staff favourites – scroll the WH edit of healthy granola below.

Our favourite healthy granola