Wonderfola Granola

Most Friday mornings during term time, I head to our local café with two friends and one of their 4-year-old sons.

His current breakfast of choice is... soup!

In many cultures, savoury leftovers for breakfast are normal, but I must admit, I love my sweeter starts to the day. Right now, I’m really enjoying Greek yogurt with granola and berries.

Granola is also brilliant as a snack, sprinkled on desserts, or added to baking for extra crunch.

I wanted to share some UK granola brands and their ingredients with you, along with my thoughts, so you can decide what suits you best:

🥣 Deliciously Ella Nutty Granola

Ingredients: Gluten-Free Oats (62.4%), Chicory Fibre Syrup, Mixed Nuts (11.7%) (Cashew Nuts, Flaked Almonds, Nibbed Hazelnuts), Date Syrup, Coconut Sugar, Rapeseed Oil, Sunflower Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds

Comment: Chicory fibre syrup is made by hot water extraction and is technically a processed fibre. While not inherently harmful, it's something I prefer to avoid. Coconut sugar, while marketed as healthier, behaves like regular sugar in the body.

🥣 Rude Health Ultimate Granola

Ingredients: Oats (40%), Spelt (Wheat) Flakes, Sunflower Oil, Honey (9%), Barley Flakes, Date Syrup (4.5%), Roasted Almonds (4%), Sunflower Seeds (4%), Puffed Amaranth (2%), Roasted Hazelnuts (2%)

Comment: Date syrup isn’t perfect, but everything else is natural and recognisable.

🥣 Bio & Me Super Seedy & Nutty Gut-Loving Granola

Ingredients: Wholegrain Oats (56%), Dates, Chicory Root Fibre, Seeds (7%) (Sunflower, Pumpkin, Brown Linseed, Chia), Nuts (6%) (Almonds, Cashew Nuts, Hazelnuts), Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Dried Carrot, Puffed Brown Rice, Buckwheat Flakes, Quinoa, Natural Flavouring

Comment: Again, chicory root fibre is a processed fibre, and "natural flavouring" is a bit vague, but overall, this is one of the best supermarket options in my opinion. It's my personal favourite!

That said, homemade granola will always be the best choice, and it’s surprisingly simple! Just mix oats, seeds, nuts, and a touch of honey or maple syrup, then bake in the oven.