Does Honey In Health Food Negate The Health Benefits?
It’s with a heavy heart that I discover my delicious fresh homemade granola gets a huge red thumbs down in the latest Government sugar focused ‘Change 4 Life’ programme. It’s marginal, we’re on the cusp, but it’s a big fat no all the same. One of our key product benefits is its healthiness, and now this being questioned and this is massively disappointing.
I started toasting my own granola at home to provide a healthy option for my fussy 8-year-old son. I was delighted to see him eat oats, nuts and seeds – unheard of before the granola revolution. That feel good factor was one of the reasons that prompted me to start selling TrooGranola online; I wanted to give others a convenient way to enjoy a tasty but healthy start to the day.
We put so much work into developing the recipes; getting the balance between ‘good stuff’ and the necessary honey and sunflower oil that gives it the delicious roasty toasty taste. The plump flame raisins and cranberries just add to the sugar problem despite their antioxidant and nutrient benefit. And what about the fibre-rich, omega-3 fatty acids, folate, and potassium filled oats and nuts? Or the little green pumpkin seeds that can help maintain healthy blood vessels and are also a brilliant source of calcium, magnesium and zinc? Should people really be advised not to consume all of this goodness because of the presence of natural sugars?
We’re a tiny start up trying to bring some goodness to the breakfast market dominated by many cereals that are more appropriate for desserts than to start the day. I don’t want to be put in the same category as these empty calories treats. It’s really frightening to think our whole fresh and healthy proposition is now being questioned.
I’m definitely pro-Change 4 Life and I’m a huge advocate of healthy eating; but I’m completely against scaremongering and blunt tools such as the Sugar Smart App. A much more balanced and holistic approach to healthy eating should be provided; giving people the ability to make their own smart choices rather than a simplistic thumbs up or thumbs down.
www.troogranola.com