Study reveals the healthiest foods to eat – and some may surprise you!
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Is your morning granola doing more harm than good? A new study from Tufts University in Boston suggests it might be time to ditch the supposedly "healthy" item in favour of something else.
The study, which used a nutrient profiling system called the Food Compass, ranked more than 8000 different types of food and drink by their healthfulness. Unsurprisingly, whole foods like fruits and vegetables scored highly on the list, while processed and fast foods fared poorly.
But one of the most surprising findings was that granola - often touted as a healthy breakfast option - didn't fare as well as one might expect. In fact, it scored lower than many other breakfast items, including sugary cereals and even doughnuts.
So what's the problem with granola? According to the study, it's typically high in sugar and calories, and low in essential nutrients. In other words, it's not as healthy as it seems.
In fact, people who enjoy sweets will be happy to know that a chocolate ice cream with almonds scored 35 points whereas a coconut and chocolate granola bar only received 15 points.
A new study revealed that chocolate ice cream with nuts is healthier than granola bars. Credit: news.com.au via Getty Images.
Professor Dariush Mozaffarian, one of the study's co-authors, also offered more explanation to the scoring, claiming that granola is ranked lower than ice cream because it is made of 'primarily refined grain and sugar,' but its dairy rival has protein and minerals.
The rating system was quite simple, so it was a huge surprise when foods that were generally considered 'healthy' scored lower than those that weren't.
The study took into account dietary characteristics connected to serious chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and cancer - meaning, some of the foods that we normally think of as healthy can be one of the key culprits that cause us to develop these diseases.
It is also interesting to note that frozen yoghurt, a dessert promoted as a healthy substitute for ice cream, only received a score of 23.
An egg omelette might seem like a good option for breakfast, but the Food Compass only rated it with a score of 51, while Cheerios, a breakfast cereal, received a 95.
The study also found that while eggs are high in protein and contain a number of micronutrients, the majority of prior research has shown that they are generally neutral for risk of major diseases.
Eggs are still a better breakfast option than highly processed cereals like Cornflakes, which received a 16 on the scale, but not as good as simple quick porridge oats, which received a 75 on the scale and contain whole grains and fibre that have been shown to improve heart health.
In terms of how to apply the Food Compass in daily life, the study's authors urged more consumption of meals and beverages scoring above 70, while those in the range of 31 to 69 are advised to be consumed only in moderation, and options under 30 should be avoided.
We all know the feeling, you're trying to be healthy, so you avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, and anything deep-fried. But sometimes, the "healthy" options aren't as healthy as you think.
So, our advice is to always opt for whole foods whenever necessary. Skip the ‘healthy’ granola bars or the processed fruit snacks. Choose the apples or the bananas instead. You'll be better off!
We want to hear from you! What are your thoughts on this? Does this article inspire you to be more mindful of the food that you eat? Share them with us in the comments below!
The study, which used a nutrient profiling system called the Food Compass, ranked more than 8000 different types of food and drink by their healthfulness. Unsurprisingly, whole foods like fruits and vegetables scored highly on the list, while processed and fast foods fared poorly.
But one of the most surprising findings was that granola - often touted as a healthy breakfast option - didn't fare as well as one might expect. In fact, it scored lower than many other breakfast items, including sugary cereals and even doughnuts.
So what's the problem with granola? According to the study, it's typically high in sugar and calories, and low in essential nutrients. In other words, it's not as healthy as it seems.
In fact, people who enjoy sweets will be happy to know that a chocolate ice cream with almonds scored 35 points whereas a coconut and chocolate granola bar only received 15 points.
A new study revealed that chocolate ice cream with nuts is healthier than granola bars. Credit: news.com.au via Getty Images.
Professor Dariush Mozaffarian, one of the study's co-authors, also offered more explanation to the scoring, claiming that granola is ranked lower than ice cream because it is made of 'primarily refined grain and sugar,' but its dairy rival has protein and minerals.
The rating system was quite simple, so it was a huge surprise when foods that were generally considered 'healthy' scored lower than those that weren't.
The study took into account dietary characteristics connected to serious chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and cancer - meaning, some of the foods that we normally think of as healthy can be one of the key culprits that cause us to develop these diseases.
It is also interesting to note that frozen yoghurt, a dessert promoted as a healthy substitute for ice cream, only received a score of 23.
An egg omelette might seem like a good option for breakfast, but the Food Compass only rated it with a score of 51, while Cheerios, a breakfast cereal, received a 95.
The study also found that while eggs are high in protein and contain a number of micronutrients, the majority of prior research has shown that they are generally neutral for risk of major diseases.
Eggs are still a better breakfast option than highly processed cereals like Cornflakes, which received a 16 on the scale, but not as good as simple quick porridge oats, which received a 75 on the scale and contain whole grains and fibre that have been shown to improve heart health.
In terms of how to apply the Food Compass in daily life, the study's authors urged more consumption of meals and beverages scoring above 70, while those in the range of 31 to 69 are advised to be consumed only in moderation, and options under 30 should be avoided.
We all know the feeling, you're trying to be healthy, so you avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, and anything deep-fried. But sometimes, the "healthy" options aren't as healthy as you think.
So, our advice is to always opt for whole foods whenever necessary. Skip the ‘healthy’ granola bars or the processed fruit snacks. Choose the apples or the bananas instead. You'll be better off!
We want to hear from you! What are your thoughts on this? Does this article inspire you to be more mindful of the food that you eat? Share them with us in the comments below!
