Is Granola Ultra Processed?
Not Typically Ultra-Processed
Most commercial granola is Level 3 and often borderline ultra-processed. While homemade granola is a simple combination of oats, nuts, honey, and oil (Level 2), commercial versions frequently contain 15-20 ingredients including multiple sweetener sources, vegetable oils, natural flavors, and soy lecithin.
Key Findings
- •Multiple sweetener sources in one product is a formulation trick to disguise total sugar content — a single commercial granola serving can contain as much sugar as a cookie
- •Homemade granola (oats, nuts, honey, oil, salt) is Level 2; commercial granola with 15+ ingredients and additives is Level 3-4
- •Even "healthy" granola brands vary widely — some products from the same brand range from Level 2 to Level 4 depending on the variety
Why Is Granola Level 3?
Granola was invented in the 1860s as a health food — just baked oats and grains. The modern commercial version has diverged substantially. A typical supermarket granola lists rolled oats, sugar, canola oil, rice flour, honey, brown rice syrup, coconut, soy lecithin, natural flavors, and mixed tocopherols. The use of multiple sweetener sources is a formulation strategy: by splitting sugar across honey, brown rice syrup, and cane sugar, manufacturers keep each individual sweetener lower on the ingredient list (ingredients are listed by weight), masking the total sugar content. A single serving of commercial granola can contain 12-16g of sugar — comparable to a cookie. The other red flag is "natural flavors," which in granola typically means processed vanilla or fruit-derived flavoring compounds. Brands like Bear Naked, Kind, and Nature Valley vary considerably — some products from the same brand range from Level 2 to Level 4.
Granola Processing Level Distribution
How 996 granola products break down by processing level:
Average ingredient count: 21.9 · Average nutrition score: 5.1/10
Granola Brand Comparison
Comparing the least to most processed granola products in our database:
| Product | Brand | Level | Score | Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G-nola, Beyond Granola, Coconut Creme | G-nola | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Greta's Blend,granola, Coconut & Cacao | Slipstream | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Cherry Granola | Paleo Scavenger | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| G-nola, Beyond Granola, Coconut Creme, Coconut Creme | G-nola | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Greta's Blend,granola | Slipstream | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Cherry Granola | Paleo Scavenger | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Greta's Blend,granola | Slipstream | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Cherry Granola | Paleo Scavenger | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| G-nola, Beyond Granola, Coconut Creme | G-nola | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Go Raw, Super Simple Sprouted Granola | Go Raw | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 2 |
How to Read Granola Labels
- 1
Multiple sweetener sources (sugar, honey, brown rice syrup, maple syrup) in one product are used to keep each one lower on the ingredient list — add them up mentally
- 2
"Natural flavors" in granola is typically processed vanilla or fruit flavoring — unnecessary in a product that should taste like oats and nuts
- 3
Canola oil, soybean oil, or palm oil replacing simple butter or coconut oil is a cost-driven substitution
- 4
Compare sugar per serving: homemade granola has 4-6g, commercial brands average 12-16g per serving
Frequently Asked Questions
Is granola actually healthy?
It depends on the product. Homemade granola with oats, nuts, and minimal honey is Level 2 and nutrient-dense. Commercial granola often contains as much sugar per serving as a cookie (12-16g), multiple vegetable oils, and "natural flavors." Check the nutrition label — sugar content is the fastest way to assess quality.
Is Nature Valley granola ultra-processed?
Most Nature Valley products are Level 3-4. The crunchy bars contain whole grain oats, sugar, canola oil, rice flour, honey, brown rice syrup, and soy lecithin — a longer ingredient list than the "natural" branding suggests. Their simpler products (plain oats and honey) are less processed than flavored varieties.
Is homemade granola better than store-bought?
From a processing standpoint, yes. Homemade granola typically has 5-7 ingredients (oats, nuts, oil, honey, salt, and optional spices) compared to 15-20 in commercial versions. You also control the sugar and oil quantities. It takes about 30 minutes to make and stores for 2-3 weeks.
What is the least processed granola brand?
Look for brands with under 8 ingredients, a single sweetener source, and no "natural flavors." Some options include simple formulations from Bob's Red Mill, Purely Elizabeth (simpler varieties), and store brands that list just oats, nuts, oil, honey, and salt. Always check the specific product — brands that make simple granola also make heavily processed versions.