Nature Valley

The Nature Valley Oats and Dark Chocolate Crunchy Granola achieves a green leaf rating of 2/5, signaling the presence of several ingredients of concern. This product is neither organic nor non-GMO, falling short of the standards for clean food.

The granola mix is made from whole grain oats, sugar, canola and/or sunflower oil, dark chocolate pieces, rice flour, honey, brown sugar syrup, salt, cocoa, soy lecithin, baking soda, and natural flavor. Several of these ingredients raise red flags for those seeking healthier food options.

The presence of both sugar and brown sugar syrup in the mix adds unnecessary sweeteners to the product. These added sugars can lead to health issues over time, including obesity and diabetes. Therefore, it is disappointing to see them in a product that could otherwise be a healthy snack.

Moreover, the use of canola oil is another downside. Despite its widespread use in food products, canola oil is not the healthiest choice. It is high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can lead to inflammation and other health problems when consumed in excess.

The inclusion of potentially harmful additives, such as natural flavor and soy lecithin, further detracts from the product’s health benefits. Natural flavor is a vague term that can hide a range of synthetic and potentially harmful ingredients. Soy lecithin, while generally recognized as safe, is often derived from genetically modified soybeans.

It is clear that the Nature Valley Oats and Dark Chocolate Crunchy Granola falls short of the clean food standards. While it may offer some nutritional benefits from the whole grain oats and dark chocolate, these are overshadowed by the presence of added sugars, harmful oils, and questionable additives. Therefore, this product needs significant improvements to meet the criteria for a healthy and clean food option. It serves as a reminder to consumers to scrutinize food labels closely, as not all products labeled as “natural” or “healthy” live up to these claims.