It is common to confuse them but do you know what the differences are between muesli and granola? They have something in common: they are ideal for breakfast and very healthy.
Breakfast is a wonderful option to start the day. It becomes, in fact, the best way to provide our body with essential nutrients and energy that it will then need throughout the morning. While it is true – incidentally, as more and more nutritionists believe, it is a fallacy that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.”
However, it is one hundred percent advisable to have breakfast, since our body has spent a long period of fasting while we sleep, so that if we do not eat even something after waking up, it is most likely that we feel lethargic or fatigued at the few hours, even more if we do not tend to eat anything throughout the morning.
When it comes to what could be the perfect breakfast, there is no doubt that the most important thing is that the breakfast is balanced and as healthy as possible. In this sense, it is highly advisable to opt for fresh fruit, whole grains and dairy (if desired). It is evident that we have not named biscuits or typical breakfast cereals this time.
The reason could be more than clear: cookies are not at all suitable, since they provide sugars and fats (which in many cases are saturated, since refined oils tend to be used in their preparation). While, in the case of the usual breakfast cereals, they contain a very large amount of sugars, which does not compensate much less for the benefits that in theory they would provide.
Therefore, the best option is always to have whole grains, which stand out for their contribution in complex carbohydrates (that is, they provide us with energy slowly and do not cause spikes in blood glucose), they are rich in fiber and also provide vitamins of group B and minerals.
And, among the cereals that we could enjoy for breakfast, we find two wonderful options: muesli and granola. But what do they consist of? Are they the same food? It is common for many people to confuse them, but in reality they are very different. We explain why.
What is muesli? And the granola? What is the difference between them?
Some things in common
There is no doubt that both muesli and granola become an excellent option for both breakfast and snack. This is one of the main things they have in common.
Both options are made with grain-based cereals, to which fruits are added (the most common are apple, coconut or grapes, especially in their dehydrated or dried version) and dried fruits (usually rolled almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts).
Together with the different nutritional benefits they provide, since both options stand out for their contribution in complex carbohydrates, vitamins (mainly group B), and a very interesting amount of fiber.
Of course, they also have a negative issue in common: we must be careful with the products that we find in most supermarkets (as we will see in detail in a later section).
Delicious granola
Granola is a food made up of oat flakes, walnuts and other dried fruits, mixed with honey or oil and the mixture of which is finally baked. In this way, you get a toasted and crunchy breakfast.
To achieve this, during cooking in the oven the mixture of oat flakes, walnuts and honey is mixed and stirred in order to maintain its typical consistency. In this way we prevent it from caking.
Since cereals and fruits are toasted with honey or oil, it has a higher amount of sugars and calories, compared to muesli.
It was originally created by the American physician James Caleb Jackson in 1863, and at that time it was baptized with the name of “granula”.
And what is muesli?
On the other hand, muesli is a combination of oatmeal and other whole grains with fruit and nuts. It is also common to add rye and wheat germ. Among fruits, it is common to choose apples and grapes, and among nuts -and dried fruits- walnuts, hazelnuts and raisins.
The main difference with granola is that muesli is not originally toasted or baked, although it is possible to do so (like the delicious crunchy muesli whose recipe we were talking about at another time).
In any case, from a nutritional point of view, it provides less sugar and fat.
Their main differences, in summary
- Granola is a combination of rolled oats (or other cereals), fruits, nuts, and honey, which are roasted in the oven.
- The muesli has a softer and finer texture, as it is made with raw cereals, and is not roasted in the oven.
Some aspects to keep in mind
We must be careful with most muesli and granola products that we find in supermarkets, since many of them contain an incredibly large amount of sugars. What’s more, in the case of granola, as it is made with oil, it can contain refined oils.
Therefore, the first thing we must do is read the label of the product that we are going to buy, and inquire about the ingredients it contains. If we observe in its composition ingredients such as sugar, glucose syrup, refined sunflower oil, palm oil … It is best to discard it.
So, what to do? Without a doubt, the best thing to do is to make our own muesli or our own granola at home, using 100% natural ingredients. Or, take a good look at the options we buy and choose only the healthiest ones.
