Calories in Granola

Granula was first introduced in Dansville, New York, by Dr. James Caleb Jackson at the Jackson Sanitarium in 1894. John Harvey Kellogg also produced a similar cereal which was initially known as Granula, but afterwards, the name was changed to Granola to avoid legal problems with Jackson. Granula and Granola were the terms used in the late nineteenth century in the United States for foods which included crumbled whole grain products that were supposed to be baked until crispy. Muesli, the contemporary invention, is totally different from granula or granola as it is traditionally not baked or sweetened. In the 1960s, new varieties of this food were introduced which consisted of fruits and nuts. Granola is recognized as a health food because of the healthy granola calories.

Granola is considered as a breakfast food or one of the healthy snacks which can be eaten any time. It is made up of rolled oats, nuts, honey, and sometimes rice and is usually baked until crispy. While baking, you are expected to stir the mixture until you get the desired loose, breakfast cereal-type consistency. Granola consists of dried fruits like raisins and dates also. It is favorite food of hikers, campers or in general of all those who require lightweight backpacking. It is high in calories and it is an easy to store food. You can eat it in combination with yogurt, honey, strawberries, bananas, milk, and/or other forms of cereal. You can also top various types of pastries and/or desserts with granola. Granola calories enhance the food value of the desserts. Numerous granola recipes are available on the Internet.

'Granola bars' were first introduced by Stanley Mason and are very popular as a snack. Normal granola contents and the contents of the bar are almost the same, but the main difference is in shape. Normal granola has a loose, breakfast cereal consistency while granola bars are pressed and baked into a bar shape. The bar is considered as a more convenient snack. These bars have gained tremendous popularity in the United States and Canada and also in some parts of southern Europe, Brazil, South Africa and Japan. The convenience and the healthy calories in granola have made it so popular. It is now also introduced in the markets of India and other southeast Asian countries. 'Chewy granola bar' is another variety of granola where the texture of the bar is chewier. The time required to bake the oats is either shortened or cut out altogether to make the bar chewier.

Calories in Granola Varieties

Granola	Quantity	Calories (Kcal)
Homemade Granola	1 Cup - 122 gm	597
Granola: 100% Natural Oats and Honey	1/2 Cup - 51 gm	219
Low Fat Granola without Raisins	1/2 Cup - 49 gm	186
Low Fat Granola with Raisins	2/3 Cup - 60 gm	220
Classic Granola Cereal	1/2 Cup - 51 gm	180
Plain Granola Bar	1 Bar - 25 gm	118
Granola Bar: Hard with Almonds	1 Bar - 28.3 gm	140
Granola Bar: Soft Plain	1 Bar - 28 gm	124
Granola Bar: Soft, Milk Chocolate Coating, Peanut Butter	1 Bar - 28.3 gm	144

Granola has been accepted as a wholesome and nutritious food for children as well as elderly. Homemade granola bars are healthy and convenient when on the go. You can reduce the calories in granola bars by preparing them at home. This way, you will be able to enjoy your homemade healthy snack, even when on a weight loss diet.