If you’ve been at your local Trader Joe’s recently, you might have spotted their newest product, Caramel Apple Flavored Granola. Is this granola healthy or not? Just like many other granolas out there, it might be marketed as “healthy” but it provides many calories in a small serving and has added sugar.  Take a look at the nutrition facts and ingredients:

Nutrition Facts

Serving size: ¾ cup

Calories: 250

Total Fat: 8 grams

Saturated Fat: 1 gram

Total Carbohydrate: 39 grams

Dietary Fiber: 4 grams

Total Sugars: 13 grams

Includes 11 grams Added Sugars

Protein: 6 grams

Ingredients

OATS, BROWN RICE SYRUP, CANE SUGAR, ROASTED PEANUTS, PUMPKIN SPICED PUMPKIN SEEDS (PUMPKIN SEEDS, CANE SUGAR, BUTTER [PASTEURIZED CREAM, SALT], SPICES, SALT), DRIED APPLES, BROWN RICE CRISPS (BROWN RICE FLOUR, BROWN RICE SYRUP, SALT), CANOLA OIL, NATURAL FLAVORS, SEA SALT, VANILLA EXTRACT (WATER, CANE SUGAR ALCOHOL, VANILLA BEAN EXTRACTIVES), MIXED TOCOPHEROLS (TO PROTECT FLAVOR).

Trader Joe’s started incorporating the new nutrition facts label (for a recap check out this article https://www.njbariatriccenter.com/new-nutrition-facts-rds-dream/) so we know that of the 13 grams of sugar, 11 grams are added sugar.   Plus, brown rice syrup and cane sugar are in the top three ingredients.

Overall, when it comes to granola I suggest you skip this one due to the added sugar content. Granola in general can be high in sugar so keep a close eye when choosing a healthy option. Try Bear Naked Original Cinnamon granola as an alternative which has only 6gm of sugar per serving and 6gm of protein. If you’re looking for the apple cinnamon taste to spice up your yogurt or cottage cheese, try adding your own chopped apples, nuts, and cinnamon instead.