Category Archives: Nutrition

Nuts About Granola: Do I need gluten- free Oats?

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Gluten free products have become a new marketing force in the food industry as more and more Americans adjust their diets to aid in digestive health, “the gluten-free market has ballooned to $2.6 billion in the last year.”(1)  Gluten “ A protein found in wheat, barley, and rye (and countless food products — like bread and pasta — that contain those grains), gluten gradually damages the intestines of people with celiac disease, preventing the absorption of vitamins and minerals and setting off a slew of related health problems, which can include fatigue and bad skin. “ (3)

Previously gluten-free products were marketed to a small percentage of Americans diagnosed with celiac disease, about 1% of the US population. (3) However there is a growing percentage who test negative for celiac disease and are categorized as gluten sensitive.  “Cutting out gluten is the most reliable way to determine if you are, in fact, sensitive to the protein — and if you are sensitive, it’s the only treatment.”(3)

What about oats?

Oats are naturally gluten-free but are frequently cross contaminated with wheat during processing.  Necessity of consuming gluten-free oats depends on your degree of sensitivity.    Nuts About Granola now offers Plain Jane granola produced with gluten-free oats from Bob’s Red Mill one of only five companies who offer pure, uncontaminated oats.

Health benefits of all oats include lower cholesterol levels, unique oat antioxidants, and enhanced  immune response to infection. (7)  So eat more oats, regular or gluten-free!

-Momma Granola
Learn more at NutritionDebunked.com

Sources:

1) http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-gluten-free-diet-20110413,0,3539039.story

2) http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-girls-puberty-early-20110412,0,2227227.story

3) http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/04/12/gluten.free.diet.improve/index.html

5)  http://www.eatmoreoats.com/health.html

7)  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=54

Rising Above Food Inflation

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The average American spends 10% of their income on food. However, that is projected to increase 3% to 4% in 2011 as the cost of food skyrockets due to recent global natural disasters, increased demands world-wide, the push for bio fuels and continued unrest in the oil rich Middle East.

How can you keep the cost increase to a minimum?

There are several options.

  1. Eat at home. ” Food-at-home prices increased 0.3 percent, the lowest annual increase since 1967, while food-away-from-home prices rose 1.3 percent in 2010″
  2. Buy local to support sustainable farmers. “For some, the solution is rooted in promoting natural farming techniques and weaning farmers off growing crops for biofuels. A recent U.N. report cited evidence of so-called “agro-ecology” techniques boosting crop yields by 80% in 57 developing countries.”
  3. Consider a garden to grow-your-own vegetables or buy into a CSA.

Our company has seen a 30-40% increase in some of our raw material costs over the last six months. We are doing our best to cut costs in other areas of our operations so we can keep our prices the same.

We would love to hear some of your tips to combat food inflation. Please share below!

-Momma Granola

 

 

Can you get hooked on diet soda? – CNN

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A recent article published on CNN.com by Denise Mann explores America’s addiction to diet soda, yes addiction.

If you are one of the hundreds of thousands of Americans who crave diet soda, you are not alone.

Key points to the article:

- There is a physiological addiction to its artificial sweetener. “Zero-calorie soda doesn’t seem to have an immediate downside that prevents people from overindulging.”

-Many addicts are preconditioned to addiction and are simply switching from one addiction to another, also known as addiction swapping.

-Consumption has been linked to low bone mineral density in women, type2 diabetes, and stroke as well as a possible connection to poor diet and weight gain.

-Artificial sweetener tricks your taste buds but doesn’t fool your brain. Your body knows it isn’t getting any calories and therefore never releases the cues to stop drinking.

-A key sign of addiction is continuing a destructive behavior even after knowing its harmful effects.

We have speculated the harmful effects of artificial sweeteners and diet soda, or diet anything for that matter, for years. Every year new studies are published that confirm our belief; the less processed the better.  At Nuts About Granola we don’t use artificial anything. We use natural sugar and healthy oils to make a very flavorful combination of whole grains and protein.

So listen to your mother… just eat the real thing.

-Momma Granola

Food Dating Debunked

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Ever wonder what the difference is between “best by”, “use by”, “sell by” dates? Is the food really uneatable if it is past the date?

Those working in the food industry have to abide by the following codes, we recommend you do the same.

In the Winter 2011 issue of the ADA Times:

“Sell By” dates tell the store how long to display the product for sale.  You should buy the product before the date expires.

“Best if Used By (or Before)” dates are recommended for best flavor or quality.  It is not a purchase-by or safety date.

“Use By” dates reflect the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality–determined by the manufacturer.

Ultimately it is up to your discretion. Basically these labels are a way for us manufacturers to let you, the consumer, know how fresh our product is. It is also a good way for us to keep track of our inventory; first in, first out.

Since granola could probably last a year or so without being “spoiled” we find it crucial to label the best by dates because we want you to have a fresh product. We have a three month best by date from the time we make it.

Have any more questions? Feel free to comment below.

-Momma Granola

Energy Drinks-Destroying the metabolism of millions

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energy-drinks

Energy drinks have been growing in popularity over the past five years with the latest adoption spike in children under the age of 18. Children are overworked, over-scheduled and expected to preform at greater lengths than ever before. Often the solution to their problem is an energy drink. Popping open a can of the latest caffeine laced, sugary soft drink seems harmless enough, but severe health risks hide within its contents.

From Ellen Coleman, MA, MPH, RD, CSSD, Sports dietitian:

Energy drinks can be dangerous for teens, report says potential risks include heart palpitations, seizures, strokes or sudden death.

Source: Pediatrics. More.

Caffeine is caffeine whether it comes in an energy drink, cola, or cup of java. Caffeine is also caffeine whether it is synthetic or comes from coffee, tea or another plant (kola nut, guarana, mate).

The word energy refers the conversion of food into fuel for the body.  “Energy” drinks are misleading as their source of energy is caffeine and other stimulants. Thus not really energy at all just a drug induced chemical reaction.

Once again it comes back to the same theme I will always return to; there is no magic pill, diet or equipment that can cure your dietary or energy level concerns. Consuming a well balanced diet (including a good breakfast), exercising regularly and getting enough rest will give you far more energy without the crash.

-Momma Granola