Granola Naturally Delicious

 

Granola Wholesome Foods

Granola is a breakfast food or healthy snack item made from rolled oats, seeds, nuts, dried fruits and sweeteners then slightly baked to perfection developing a crispy texture.  Granola can be a nutritious addition to your diet when consumed in moderation with healthy dietary options. Historically the invitation of granola is credited to American Nutritionist James Calab Jackson who in 1863 began serving twice baked crumbled gram flour at his New York sanitarium health spa.  It was Jackson who believed that illness was linked to the digestive system and was interested in knowing whether sickness could be cured by consuming cold cereal.  His granola as it was called at the time was often eaten after the gram crumble was soaked in milk overnight.  The granules that formed after soaking in milk then baking inspired the product's name.  Later that century John Henry Kellogg ran the Battle Creek Sanitarium in Michigan created his own recipe in which combined oatmeal, wheat flour, and cornmeal to produce a ready to eat cereal. 

Jackson sued Kellogg's who in return changed the spelling to ”granola.”  Granola foods provided an alternative option for the standard breakfast for the 19th century which was typically heavy with baked goods and meats.  Later in the 1960’s granola gained popularity as more consumers sought alternative healthy food options low in sugar.  In the mid 1960’s Layton Gentry who was also known as Johnny Granola developed a recipe using wheat germ and sold it to Sovex Inc.  The company's granola product later became popular with consumers as both a snack food or breakfast cereal option then later it was incorporated in cookie recipes.  In 1972 Heartland National Cereal was brought to the market by Pet Incorporated as the first mass market version of granola.  Soon General Mills Inc introduced Nature Valley Cereal as Stanley Mason was then credited with inventing the granola bar in 1970’s after developing a recipe of pressed granola into compact rectangular shape creating the granola bar as we know it today. 

In 1981 the Quaker Oats company introduced Quaker Oats Chewy Granola Bars made with wholesome ingredients.  Granola is sometimes criticized for appearing nutritious while actually containing high amounts of sweeteners.  Granola varies in nutritional values based on ingredients used in ready to eat snacks and granola foods still remain nutritious for consumers who enjoy it.  Commercially available granola products are readily available at your local grocer or online  retailers.  365 Organic Fruit and Nut Granola by Whole Foods Market is only 270 calories, 0 mg sodium, 5 grams fiber, 14 grams sugar, 6 grams of protein, 28 whole grains per ½ cup serving.  This crispy crunchy granola cereal is a ready to eat option made with the best natural ingredients. Today granola products have expanded in the marketplace sold as healthy cereals, granola bars, granola bites. Ancient Grain Granola, Gourmet Granola, Trail Mix Granola, alter eco Cashew butter Granola snack and other delicious ready to eat  granola options. 

Granola is often made with oats , nuts, seeds and dried fruits which provide essential vitamins and minerals including magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, B vitamins, vitamin E, Selenium, antioxidants which help protect your cells from free radical damage.  The combination of granola's complex carbohydrates, proteins and healthy fats can provide sustained energy boosting physical endurance making it a great snack or breakfast alternative.  

Cheers!

Patricia Lynn

Images Courtesy Of kucheray at AdobeStock