Many common items we believe to be healthy and good for us can often be the exact opposite – namely due to hidden truths, extra additives and ingredients, and the other clandestine processes that go on behind the scenes.
One example is yogurt and granola – a common breakfast choice with an image of healthiness. But just how healthy is it?
Are Yogurt & Granola Actually Healthy?
With regards to yogurt and granola, there are some nutritional positives, but also some negative aspects that people may want to be aware of.
Yogurt
Yogurt – especially low fat yogurt natural yogurt – can have numerous health benefits when introduced as part of a balanced diet.
This makes it a popular breakfast item, enjoyed by countless people all around the world. However, consumers should always be aware of the sugar content in yogurt, and the effects this might have on certain conditions like type 2 diabetes.
This is why it is important to avoid colorings and flavored yogurt, as well as most commercial brands – sticking instead to basic, low fat, natural yogurt.
Granola
Granola can be a little tricky, especially when talking about health and nutrition.
Generally speaking, granola has a high sugar content – either due to added sugars, or due to dried fruit – and this is worth bearing in mind, especially if people have conditions related to their blood sugar levels.
The best way to enjoy granola with your yogurt is in small doses – and many people achieve this by combining it with fresh berries and fruit.
What Benefits Does Yogurt Have?
While most might not be aware of this fact, yogurt actually has numerous health benefits when eaten in moderation, eaten under the right conditions, and when eaten as part of a wider, healthier balanced diet.
Rich In Nutrients
Firstly, yogurt is rich in important nutrients – all of which the body needs to improve and maintain the natural functions that we all experience.
The most prominent nutrient within yogurt is calcium, and just one cup of yogurt can supply you with 49% of your daily intake.
Other nutrients include phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium – all of which have a lot of benefits for the circulatory system, blood pressure, metabolism, and bone health.
Yogurt is also rich in several notable vitamins, including vitamin D (to promote bone and immune health), and vitamin B12, which has been shown to have a distinct impact on heart disease and other serious conditions.
High In Protein
Yogurt is also high in protein – something that makes us feel fuller after we have eaten, and which can be used for vital energy within our daily activities.
Protein is also good for muscle health, development, and maintenance, and can help us to avoid injuries during activities, and even heal faster when we do experience muscular ailments.
The most notable kind of yogurt that does this is Greek yogurt – a thick yogurt that has been strained numerous times.
Benefit Digestive Health
Some yogurts have also been known to benefit digestive health – usually by cultivating the friendly bacteria in our gut biome, a component within us that has widespread implications throughout the body and our wider health.
Those who experience digestive discomfort, and other illnesses and conditions related to the gut could benefit greatly from yogurt, and it can be a good way to establish positive change.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Yogurt has also been shown to have some benefit to inflammation – something that can occur all throughout our bodily systems, and which are to blame for many minor and chronic ailments.
This is because yogurt contains probiotics, substances that have been shown to improve inflammation, and leave us functioning at our best.
Are There Any Downsides?
There are of course some downsides, making yogurt not for everyone.
Lactose Intolerance
Firstly, yogurt is a dairy product, and as such contains lactose – an enzyme that people with lactose intolerance cannot break down. This can cause gas, bloating, and discomfort, and as such is best avoided by those who are lactose intolerant.
Non-Vegan
Traditional yogurt is also considered non-vegan, due to the fact that it is derived from dairy. This means that other alternatives will need to be explored for those looking to reap the rewards of yogurt.
Sugar Content
Like most dairy products, yogurt can also be laden with added sugars, meaning that those looking to lose weight, or maintain balanced blood sugar levels, will need to take it in moderation – if at all.
What About Granola?
Despite being sugary in most cases, the grains within granola have many benefits to our bodies and wider health. These benefits include:
Improved digestion
Reduced cholesterol
Improved energy levels
Healthy skin
Managing blood pressure
The important thing is to go for low sugar varieties, and to avoid brands that include a lot of dried fruit, as these can be harborers of sugar – which can cause weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and other conditions.
Final Thoughts
And there we have it, everything you need to know about yogurt and granola, and just how healthy this popular breakfast treat actually is.
It’s true that there can be many misconceptions when it comes to health, and the food we eat, and that finding the perfect meal items can be tricky to say the least.
Luckily, there has never been so many resources collated in one place to help us make the decisions that are right for us.
Have you ever made something so delicious that you wished you could savor it forever?
Only to find that the recipe has now mysteriously vanished from your phone and the entirety of the internet. Yep, there’s not much more painful than that.
Hi, my name is Mark Williams and I have been infatuated with cooking since I was young. I would beg my mother to pull a chair up to the counter so I could watch what she was doing.
