Several years ago, I had the opportunity to spend a few weeks exploring Europe. I went hiking, visited beautiful towns, tried local cuisine, and indulged in a lot of Nutella, a favorite Italian treat. I would have Nutella for breakfast and dessert, enjoying its rich chocolatey flavor.
When I returned home, I occasionally bought Nutella but began to question its healthiness. After learning about the ingredients, I realized it wasn’t the best choice. While I created my own homemade Nutella recipe, it was time-consuming, so I sought a healthier pre-made, lower-sugar alternative.
What is Nutella?
Chocolate hazelnut spread, known as “gianduia,” has been popular since the 1800s when chocolate was scarce. To stretch the limited chocolate supply, hazelnuts were added to create this spreadable treat. During WWII, Nutella was born as a way to extend chocolate supplies. Today, it remains popular in Europe and the US.
However, the American version of Nutella contains high sugar and questionable ingredients. Despite being marketed as a healthy breakfast option, its sugar content puts it in the same category as donuts and pastries.
Is Nutella Healthy?
Many believe Nutella to be a healthy food due to its simple ingredients, but closer inspection reveals some concerns:
Nutella Ingredients: sugar, palm oil, hazelnuts, cocoa, skim milk powder, whey powder, soy lecithin, and vanillin
Despite the seemingly simple and pronounceable ingredients, Nutella falls short of being a health food. With added sugar and artificial flavors, it’s best avoided in favor of more nutritious options.
Nutella Ingredients
Several ingredients in Nutella disqualify it from being considered a health food. It lacks nutritional value and contains added sugar and artificial flavors, making it akin to consuming a candy bar for breakfast.
Sugar
The primary ingredient in Nutella is refined sugar, with a significant 21 grams per serving. This amount of sugar surpasses that of most candy bars and donuts, and it is often sourced from non-organic sugar beets containing pesticides and GMOs.
Choosing organic and non-GMO sugar is crucial to minimize health risks associated with sugar consumption.
Palm Oil
Palm oil, a common ingredient in Nutella, is harvested unsustainably in many cases, leading to environmental degradation and human rights violations. While Nutella claims to use certified sustainable palm oil, the sourcing of this ingredient can still pose ethical concerns.
Soy Lecithin
Soy lecithin found in Nutella can be problematic due to its GMO nature, potential pesticide residues, and processing with harsh solvents. Choosing organic and healthier alternatives like sunflower seeds can mitigate these risks.
Commercial Dairy
Non-organic skimmed milk powder in Nutella is often sourced from cows raised in poor conditions, fed GMO grains and antibiotics, and processed in ways that may lead to the formation of harmful cholesterol.
Hazelnuts
Although hazelnuts are a nutritious food, non-organic varieties may be contaminated with pesticides. Opting for organic hazelnuts can help avoid these harmful chemicals.
Cocoa Powder
Cocoa, a nutritious ingredient, can be problematic due to unethical harvesting practices involving child labor and slavery. It is essential to choose responsibly sourced cocoa to prevent supporting such inhumane conditions.
Vanillin
Vanillin is an artificial vanilla flavor derived from unconventional sources like wood pulp. Unlike real vanilla extract, which offers nutritional benefits, vanillin contains added sugar and lacks the wholesome properties of natural vanilla.
Nutella: Health Washing?
Despite its misleading health claims, Nutella was found to contain high sugar content, leading to a lawsuit against its parent company, Ferrero USA, resulting in a $3 million settlement. The company was required to adjust its marketing strategies to reflect the true nature of Nutella.
Is There a Healthy Nutella?
In search of a healthier alternative to Nutella, I discovered Nutiva’s Organic Hazelnut Spread, which offers a nutritious, low-sugar option. This spread is organic, non-GMO, and dairy-free, providing a healthier alternative to traditional Nutella.
A Healthy Alternative to Nutella
Nutiva’s Hazelnut Spread is low in sugar, ethically sourced, more nutritious, organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, and dairy-free, making it a superior choice to traditional Nutella.
Delicious Ways to Eat Hazelnut Spread
Whether homemade or store-bought, there are numerous creative ways to enjoy hazelnut spread:
- Dip for banana chips: Ideal for a tasty snack.
- In a smoothie: Incorporate into various smoothie recipes.
- Topping for pancakes or waffles: Enhance your breakfast favorites with hazelnut spread.
- Mocha coffee: Elevate your coffee experience with a hazelnut twist.
- Nut butter substitute: Use in recipes that call for nut butter.
- Hot chocolate: Create a creamy hot chocolate using hazelnut spread.
- Drizzle over ice cream: Jazz up your ice cream dessert with a hazelnut drizzle.
Swapping Out Your Nutella
By choosing a healthier alternative to Nutella, you can continue enjoying this treat without compromising on nutrition. While moderation is key, opting for a better option ensures you’re consuming a more wholesome product with fewer sugars and artificial additives.
Consider trying Nutiva Chocolate Hazelnut Spread or other healthy alternatives in the market to make a positive switch from traditional Nutella.
Are you ready to make the switch to a healthier Nutella alternative?