By Kate Springer
Granola is a popular, versatile food, and can be eaten any time of the day. Given its wide fan base, there are a variety of granolas from which to choose. How does True North Granola compare to popular store-bought brands in terms of ingredients, heath benefits and nutritional content? We did some research to make your shopping easier. Similar kinds were evaluated to make a fair True North Granola comparison. Retail prices are based on listings from the Target, Wal-Mart and Amazon websites.
1. True North Granola Choco Granola
Our regular chocolate granola is mainly rolled oats, raw pumpkin and sunflower seeds, and organic Dutch cocoa powder, with a minimal amount of sweeteners added in.
Nutrition facts, per ¼ cup:
Total fat: 6 grams
Sugars: 5 grams
Total carbohydrates: 16 grams
In comparison to
KIND healthy grains® clusters dark chocolate whole grain clusters
Retail price: $4.79/11 oz.
The main ingredients in these clusters are oats, tapioca syrup, soy protein insolate and semi-sweet chocolate. While the sugar and fat content is not that high, the mixture of many different types of sugars (including tapioca syrup, semi-sweet chocolate, cane sugar and brown rice syrup) is likely to make eaters feel bloated and tired.
Nutrition facts, per 2/3 cup:
Total fat: 3 grams
Sugars: 3 grams; included added sugars: 3 grams
Total carbohydrates: 18 grams
2. True North Granola Original Coconut Granola
Two forms of coconut are mixed with Belgian dark chocolate chunks, pure coconut extract and slivered almonds.
Nutrition facts, per ¼ cup:
Total fat: 7 grams
Saturated fat: 2 grams
Sugars: 4 grams
In comparison to
Kellogg’s Special K Nourish® Dark Chocolate Coconut Granola (product now discontinued)
Retail price: $6.98/10.6 oz.
This granola is loaded with sugar, brown rice syrup and semisweet chocolate, in addition to saturated fat, not what you want to put into your body.
Nutrition facts, per 2/3 cup:
Total fat: 8 grams
Saturated fat: 3.5 grams
Sugars: 11 grams
3. True North Granola Muesli/Oatmeal Bags with Fruit and Nuts
Start your day off right with our muesli, which includes five whole grains, apples, cranberries, seeds and nuts.
Nutrition facts, per 1/2 cup:
Total fat: 10 grams
Sugars: 7 grams
Protein: 9 grams
In comparison to
Nature Valley Original Toasted Oats Muesli
Retail price: $4.77/11 oz.
Less protein and more sugar is a bad combination. In fact, sugar is the second ingredient.
Nutrition facts:
Total fat: 7 grams
Sugars: 9 grams
Protein: 6 grams
4. True North Granola Apple Cinnamon Granola
Molasses, pecans, apples and almonds make for a granola so scrumptious, that eaters will think they are at an apple orchard. Raw natural sunflower seeds, whole natural almonds and unsweetened and sulpher-free dried apples are the top three ingredients.
Nutrition facts, per ¼ cup:
Total fat: 6 grams
Sugars: 4 grams
Total carbohydrates: 19 grams
In comparison to
Bob’s Red Mill Apple Cinnamon Granola (product now discontinued)
Retail price: $3.78/12 oz.
Cane juice sugar and mixed fruit concentrate are the second and third ingredients in this granola. As if that is not enough cause for concern, it is also packed with carbs.
Nutrition facts, per ¼ cup:
Total fat: 2 grams
Sugars: 9 grams
Total carbohydrates: 38 grams
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