Many years ago, I spent a few weeks Vacation in Europe. I hiked, explored beautiful cities, tried local cuisine and really enjoyed the Italian favorite, Nutella. I eat Nutella for breakfast and dessert, and it was a delicious, chocolatey treat.
When I got home, I would occasionally buy a jar of Nutella to enjoy. But I wonder, is Nutella healthy? As I learned more about ingredients, I realized that it was not a good option. I created my own recipe Homemade NutellaBut that often takes more time than I do.
I was determined to find a healthier, pre-made, lower sugar version of this spread.
What is Nutella?
Chocolate hazelnut spread has been popular since the early 1800s when chocolate was rare due to import laws. They began adding the abundant hazelnuts to create a chocolatey spreadable treat to stretch the chocolate they contained. They call it Gianduia, and it has maintained its popularity for many years.
During World War II, the availability of chocolate again affected rationing. Pietro Ferrero in Italy revived the idea of adding hazelnuts to stretch chocolate. Thus, Nutella was born. Today, the spread is still very popular in Europe and America.
Unfortunately, the American version contains high amounts of sugar and questionable ingredients. While it’s marketed as a healthy breakfast food, it’s high in sugar, so I’m chomping at the bit with donuts and pastries.
Is Nutella healthy?
Based on the ads, you might think Nutella is a health food that deserves a place on your breakfast (and lunch and dinner) table. It does not contain many ingredients, and they all seem to be relatively harmless. Unfortunately, those simple ingredients hide some problems:
Nutella Ingredients: Sugar, Palm Oil, Hazelnuts, Cocoa, Skimmed Milk Powder, Whey Powder, Soy Lecithin and Vanillin.
They seem like simple and relatively healthy ingredients, right? At least we can call them all! Well, even a 5-year-old can probably pronounce all these elements. However, a little digging into the ingredients reveals hidden problems with this distribution.
Nutella ingredients
Unfortunately, several ingredients disqualify Nutella from health food status. It has no nutritional value or health benefits. In fact, added sugar and artificial flavors are something to avoid. If you don’t eat a candy bar for breakfast or feed one to your child, skipping the Nutella is also a good idea.
Sugar
The first ingredient is refined sugar… and not a little. Two tablespoons of this chocolate spread contains 21 grams of sugar, or five cubes of added sugar! That’s more than most candy bars and donuts!
Worse, the sugar is not organic. Nutella mainly uses sugar from beets, highly refined sugar that often contains pesticides. Sugar beets are often GMOs. It is not healthy food.
There is a time and place for sugar consumption (in moderation, of course). But it is important to choose organic and non-GMO sugar.
Palm oil
Palm oil is a healthy fat and is common in many things, including food, soaps, and beauty products. This oil grows in tropical regions (mostly Southeast Asia) and is often harvested continuously. This contributes to deforestation, habitat loss, water pollution and human rights abuses.
Thankfully, not all palm oil harvesting harms the environment. If found correctly, it can be a very useful ingredient. The palm is done correctly It works to raise awareness of properly sourced palm oil and encourages consumers to choose ethical and healthy alternatives. Nutella uses 100% certified sustainable palm oil which is certified by the RSPO (one of the few good things about it).
I am Lecithin
Another controversial ingredient in this spread is soy sauce. Soy is a heavily sprayed crop unless it is from an organic source (usually GMO). It is made with hexane, a strong solvent, and a byproduct of gasoline. Soy also contains xenoestrogens, which are powerful endocrine disruptors. Many experts think that these xenoestrogens may be partially responsible for the increase in the rate of reproductive issues.
While it is difficult to completely avoid soy leptin, there are healthy alternatives. For example, sunflower seeds do not have the same problems.
Commercial milk
Nutella contains non-organic “squeezed milk powder”. Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with ethically produced dairy products, but that’s not what you’ll find in Nutella.
Commercially produced dairy products come from cows raised in harsh conditions and fed GMO grains and antibiotics. It is also pasteurized and homogeneous. When it becomes “milk powder” it is full of oxidized cholesterol, which is formed during dehydration. This is one of the most harmful types of cholesterol.
Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts are a wonderful and nutritious food that comes from near the Black Sea. Unfortunately, many modern hazelnuts grown in the US and Canada are sprayed with commercial pesticides. Always choose organic hazelnuts to avoid pesticide contamination.
Cocoa powder
Cocoa is another nutritious food that has a place in a healthy diet. It has antioxidants that are important for heart health. Unfortunately, much of the world’s supply is harvested in unethical ways, including Child slave labor. It is ironic and tragic that forced child labor and slavery produce the foods we love.
as one An investigation by the BBCThese child slaves work 80 to 100 hours a week without pay. They are malnourished, out of school, and most cannot see their families. An estimated 1.8 million children work in cocoa fields in Ghana and Ivory Coast.
No matter how good it is for my health, I refuse to buy or eat any product that comes from children in slavery and inhumane conditions. Thankfully, Nutella uses cocoa produced without child labor and supports healthy cocoa production.
Vanillin
It would be easy to glance at this ingredient and assume it’s just a technical name for real vanilla…but it’s not. Real vanilla extract is basically a tincture made from vanilla beans.Here’s how to do it). It tastes great and even contains some B vitamins.
Vanillin is not very healthy. It is an artificial vanilla flavor combined with sugar or corn syrup. In stores, labels sometimes list it as “fake vanilla.” It’s usually derived from things like wood pulp… which is hardly what I want in my food!
Nutella: health wash?
If you think Nutella is healthy, you’re not alone (although it isn’t). A 2012 case Nutella’s parent company, Ferrero USA, was found guilty of making misleading health claims in its advertising and packaging.
The result was a payment of 3 million dollars. The company was forced to pay consumers who bought it thinking it was healthy. It also required Ferrero USA to reflect its packaging, website and market’s high sugar content.
Is Nutella healthy?
I know you are thinking that Nutella is so delicious. Can’t we have some fun?
And normally, I would say yes, we can enjoy things in moderation. But when it comes to a blend of refined, highly processed ingredients, I just can’t get into that.
I created a homemade Nutella recipe that I make in the food processor. But I don’t always have time to do that. It’s great to have a healthy, store-bought option. Thankfully, I found Nutiva’s Organic Hazelnut Spread – a healthy alternative.
A healthy alternative to Nutella
Nutiva’s organic, non-GMO, dairy-free, gluten-free spread has all the deliciousness of Nutella without the harmful impurities. My kids will enjoy this nostalgia!
Our family loves the Nutiva spread because:
- Very low in sugarContains 40% less sugar than other alternatives. Brand name contains 21 grams of sugar per serving. Nutiva has only 12 grams.
- Obtained ethically: Most hazelnut spreads contain palm oil and cocoa, which can be problematic if not sourced ethically. All Nutiva ingredients, including palm oil and cocoa, are ethically sourced (rainforest and animal friendly).
- More constructive: Unlike other brands, this one contains 450 mg of Omega-3 per serving! (That’s more than sardines and tuna can handle…and my kids definitely prefer chocolate!)
- Certified organic, non-GMO and certified gluten-freeOther brands are not organic and contain ingredients that may be genetically modified.
- Dairy-free; We are not vegan, but when the dairy source is commercial milk I prefer the dairy-free option.
Delicious ways to eat Hazelnut Spread
Whether you make your own Nutella or save time and money and buy the organic pre-made version, there are so many delicious ways to eat this spread.
- Dip for banana chipsMy kids love to tuck in the banana chips.
- In softThey have found creative ways to use smoothies. Their favorites are Hazelnut Butter and Jelly Smoothie and Chocolate Hazelnut Banana Smoothie.
- Filling for pancakes or waffles: My oldest loves making pancakes for the family on Saturdays. The children will enjoy this spread and chopped strawberries.
- Mocha coffee: Try mixing a teaspoon of chocolate hazelnut into your coffee for a natural creaminess.
- Nut butter substitute: Can’t have peanut butter or other nut butter (or don’t like it)? Use delicious chocolate hazelnut spread in any recipe that calls for nut butter.
- Hot chocolate: This recipe It’s one of the easiest ways to make delicious, creamy hot chocolate.
- Pour over the ice cream: Heat some up and dip it over ice cream for a delicious treat!
Changing your Nutella
Switching to a healthier version of Nutella allows you to enjoy this delicious treat without added sugar, artificial flavors and questionable ingredients. I still recommend enjoying it in moderation. But with a healthier version, you’ll at least enjoy something with more nutritional value and less sugar!
you can find Nutiva Chocolate Hazelnut Spread over here. There are other healthy options on the market now. I also like this Artisana Organics Refers to ethically sourced, sustainable ingredients. It is also sweetened with coconut sugar.
Are you a fan of Nutella? Will they switch to a better option?
