Tag: Oats vs granola

While oats are a simple, whole grain, granola is a processed food with oats as a primary ingredient, but it also contains added sweeteners, nuts, and fats. This distinction is critical for anyone monitoring their sugar, fat, and calorie intake.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), oats are a whole grain, while granola is a product made from oats and other ingredients. Acknowledging this key difference between oats and granola is the first step toward understanding how they differ in nutritional value, preparation, and uses.

While both use oats as a base, studies show that most store-bought granolas have significantly higher levels of sugar, fat, and calories than simple overnight oats. What's healthier, overnight oats or granola, ultimately depends on preparation and portion control, but the unprocessed nature of overnight oats gives them a clear head start in most comparisons.

Over 70% of people incorrectly assume that oats and granola are interchangeable, but they are fundamentally distinct foods. Oats are a simple, unprocessed whole grain, while granola is a baked mixture that uses oats as a base, combined with other ingredients.

Recent studies show that oatmeal is a healthier pick over most store-bought granola, primarily due to lower added sugar and fat content. The question of whether are oats or granola better is more complex than it appears, depending heavily on the specific ingredients and preparation methods of each.

A typical 40g serving of store-bought granola can contain 8-12 grams of sugar, making it far less healthy than plain oats. So, when debating what is healthier, oats or granola, the answer isn't as simple as it seems and hinges on a few crucial factors.