Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day, but a recent report questions the "healthy" image of some muesli products.
According to an analysis by British consumer advocacy organization Which?, some recommended servings of muesli contain up to 20 grams of sugar – about five teaspoons – about as much as two Krispy Kreme Original Glazed doughnuts, which typically have around 10 grams of sugar each.
What did the study show?
The survey analysed 86 muesli products on supermarket shelves in the UK. Overall, muesli remains a good choice due to its high fibre content. However, some variants were found to be less healthy than expected, challenging the perception that “premium” automatically means “good for your health”.
Which? nutritionist Shefalee Loth emphasized that high prices, fancy packaging, or marketing terms don't guarantee better nutritional value. Often, simpler, more economical options are more balanced.
How were the products rated?
The products were ranked according to the official British Nutrient Profiling Model, which is used to determine whether a food is high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS). This system takes into account positive elements such as fibre and protein, as well as negative factors such as refined sugars and saturated fat. The final score is calculated by subtracting the scores of healthy ingredients from those of less favourable ingredients.
Starting this year, the United Kingdom will ban the advertising of products high in fat, salt or sugar before evening hours on television and online, in an effort to curb obesity in children.
Concrete examples
At the bottom of the list was Raw Gorilla Keto Mighty Muesli with 46 points out of 100, despite being advertised as being free of refined sugar. By comparison, Nestlé's chocolate-flavored KitKat Cereal received 56 points and contained six times less saturated fat.
Although keto muesli is very low in sugar (around 1.5g per 100g), it is high in saturated fat and calories due to ingredients such as nuts, seeds and coconut. Representatives of the Raw Gorilla company objected to the methodology used, arguing that the “one size fits all” mathematical model does not sufficiently differentiate between natural raw foods and ultra-processed products.
What about these diets?
The keto diet favors foods that are high in fat and low in carbohydrates to force the body into a state of ketosis, where it burns fat instead of carbohydrates. Proponents claim it aids in weight loss and mood stabilization, but experts warn that the high fat content can increase certain health risks if followed without supervision.
Other products and recommendations
Among the lowest-rated products was Waitrose's "Essential No Added Sugar" muesli, with 62/100 points and 19.5g of sugar per 100g, despite its good fiber content.
The British National Health Service (NHS) recommends that adults consume no more than 30g of sugar per day and aim for around 30g of fibre per day.
At the top of the list, with 80/100 points, were mueslis from supermarket brands such as Asda, Morrisons, Tesco and Sainsbury's. As well as being healthier according to the report, they were also cheaper, costing less than 10p per portion.
Also, the “15 Plant Fruit and Nut” muesli from Holland & Barrett was positively evaluated for its high fiber and protein content.
What should we learn?
The report shows that the label “premium” or “no added sugar” is not enough to determine the real nutritional value. Carefully reading ingredients, paying attention to portion size and comparing fat and sugar content remain essential.
Overall, most muesli products fall into a healthy range, providing fiber, protein, calcium and omega-3 fatty acids – elements often lacking in more processed breakfast cereals. But, as always, informed choice is key. /GazetaExpress/
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