Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more
Granola is commonly thought of as something you should have for breakfast , but that approach could be very bad for your health.
It should actually be considered a dessert, according to the US government’s dietary guidelines. That’s because it regularly comes with enough sugar to rival a chocolate cake.
A 100g serving of Tesco’s Super Berry Granola , a fairly average portion size for many adults, contains more than 20g of sugar. That’s more than there is in Tesco’s Belgian Chocolate Eclairs .
That stands in contrast to corn flakes, which contain just 8g of sugar for every 100g serving.
A high-sugar diet has been linked to an increased risk of a range of serious illnesses, from diabetes and heart disease to cancer.
Dr James Caleb Jackson created the world’s first granola recipe in 1863. But it isn’t something fans would recognise today.
The dish, which he named "granula", was just dense bran granules soaked in milk, and no added sugar.
But 153 years later sugar has become essential, both due to the taste and the fact it produces the clumpy texture.
Show all 6 1 /6Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Six healthy breakfast recipes to try You will need: 1 onion, 1 red pepper, 1 stick of celery, 1 cup of mushrooms, 4 to 6 eggs, 1 habanero chilli (optional), 1 tablespoon of oil, 25g of grated low-fat cheese, 150 ml of skimmed milk, 50g of turkey breast. Add some spinach for an extra boost.
Method:
1) Cook your turkey breast so that it’s ready to add to the mix later on. Best to grill it and then chop it up as it’s healthier than shallow frying. 2) Meanwhile, heat the oil and add your onion, pepper, chilli, mushrooms and celery to your pan. Cook these for around five minutes until your veg is nice and soft. 3) Whisk your eggs and milk together in a separate bowl, seasoning with salt and pepper. 4) Add the egg mixture, veg, cooked turkey and cheese to a high-sided baking pan or tin and cook in your oven for around 15 minutes at 170C.
DW Fitness Clubs
Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Be careful when you buy your porridge, as some brands will cram a lot of sugar in there. Porridge is a good breakfast option as it is renowned for releasing energy slowly, which means you can get to lunch without suffering from a lull. A great source of fibre, potassium and vitamins, bananas are always a good accompaniment to your morning oats.
DW Fitness Clubs
Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Ingredients: 2 full eggs, 3 egg whites, asparagus, peppers, 50g of smoked salmon
Method
1) Boil your asparagus in water for around five minutes. 2) Meanwhile, mix your eggs and egg whites in a jug, and add a splash of skimmed milk. Chop some peppers up and throw them in too. 3) Once your asparagus is cooked, drain it and chop into smaller chunks. Add these to your egg mixture. 4) Whisk your mixture and season with salt and pepper. 5) Pour the mix into a hot pan with a small knob of butter or a teaspoon of quality olive oil. 6) Cook the omelette for around 90 seconds to two minutes. 7) Once the bottom is cooked, take the pan off the hob and place under the grill for another 30 seconds to a minute in order to cook the top. 8) Serve with your smoked salmon.
DW Fitness
Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Greek yoghurt has vast nutritional benefits. Regardless of where you stand on the superfood debate, Greek yoghurt’s credentials speak for themselves. A good source of potassium, protein, calcium and essential vitamins, this food forms an ideal base for a healthy breakfast, especially if you’re trying to lose weight.
DW Fitness
Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Eggs Florentine is not only a tasty breakfast, it also carries a hefty nutritional punch, particularly when you throw some spinach into the equation.
DW Fitness
Six healthy breakfast recipes to try So fast and easy to make, yet so effective. Wholemeal toast can be a good breakfast choice, as long as you are sensible with your toppings. Peanut butter is perfect. A good source of “healthy fats”, as well as protein and Vitamin E among other nutrients, a liberal spreading of peanut butter can set you up for the day.
DW Fitness
Cassie Bjork, a registered dietician, told the New York Times
“It’s advertised as a healthy choice. But the reality is that it’s usually not.”
It’s not just granola bought in shops either. Most homemade recipes also contain lots of sugar.
Amy Roskelley gives a sugar-free version on her Super Healthy Kids
However, Ms Bjork advises to stay away from granola altogether, naming the food as one of “five foods to skip this year” on her website .
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies