gr8nola Has All the Flavor of Standard Granola (with a Fraction of the Sugar)
Value: 19/20
Functionality: 18/20
Quality: 20/20
Aesthetics: 20/20
Taste: 19/20
Total: 96/100
Ah, granola. It’s delicious, filling and addictively crunchy. And with all those oats, nuts and seeds, it’s got to be healthy…right? Not so fast. It turns out your morning bowl of cereal may have lots of hidden sugar, fat and calories, plus way less fiber than you’d think. You may have tried swapping your usual for reduced fat or sugar-free granola…only to end up disappointed and craving pancakes. Luckily, we found a happy medium: gr8nola.
This line of low-sugar superfood granola is all natural and GMO-free, but more importantly, it’s damn delicious. All six flavors clock in at 130 calories, 6 grams of fat and 5 grams of sugar per serving. They’re also free of soy, dairy, refined sugars, artificial ingredients and inflammatory oils, plus five of them are vegan.
We know what you’re thinking: How do they do it? It’s simple: gr8nola calls on unrefined sweeteners like organic coconut sugar, monk fruit and honey. And though gr8nola isn’t certified gluten-free, it doesn’t contain any ingredients that inherently have gluten, like wheat, barley or rye. The signature perk, though, is that the granolas are infused with superfoods like chia seeds, ginger, turmeric and flaxseeds, as well as made with MCT-rich coconut oil.
If you’re not sure which flavor to try first, go for the sampler pack. Here’s what we thought of all six flavors.
RELATED: I Just Really Love This Grain-Free Granola (And It’s Keto and Paleo-Approved)
1. Original
A base of whole grain oats is traditional to granola, but there are some surprises once you look at the ingredient list. Almonds—heart-healthy nuts full of protein, fiber, magnesium and good fats—meet fiber-rich flaxseeds, anti-inflammatory cinnamon and brain-boosting coconut oil. Instead of refined white sugar, honey and monk fruit extract give it just the right amount of sweetness. We’re also suckers for crunchy sunflower seeds. P.S., it smells like a brown sugar-cinnamon cookie.
Taste: 20/20
2. Black Coco Chia
Admit it: You’ve been curious about hopping on the activated charcoal train since you first found out about black toothpaste. Here, charcoal acts as a cleansing detoxifier that promotes gut health and digestion. It’s also loaded with crunchy chia seeds, which are full of omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. But there’s no question that the coconut flakes really bring this flavor to life with a dose of natural tropical sweetness.
Taste: 20/20
3. Cacao Crisp
If you prefer your coconut with a side of chocolate instead of charcoal, look no further. Cacao powder is rich in antioxidants, and here, it shines for giving the granola a refined, slightly bitter taste. It's not "chocolatey" the way, say, Cocoa Puffs or Oreos are, but more like a grown-up, cocoa-dusted truffle.
Taste: 18/20
4. Matcha Vibes
If you’re nothing without a matcha latte first thing in the morning, this one’s for you. In addition to coconut flakes and sunflower seeds, it’s packed with that magical green tea powder you’ve fallen so hard for, which just so happens to be bursting with antioxidants, L-theanine and a brain-boosting amino acid. The matcha flavor is gentle but undeniable—it just might convert those of you who *think* you hate the taste of green tea.
Taste: 18/20
5. Golden Spice
You’ve had too many turmeric lattes and golden mylks to count. So, why not add turmeric to your cereal rotation? You’ll notice its warm, earthy aroma the moment you tear open the bag, but there are lots of wellness-related reasons to love this spice, too. Take its anti-inflammatory qualities and antioxidant benefits, for example. Its flavor is just the match for black pepper and magnesium-rich pumpkin seeds, resulting in a complex granola unlike any you’ve ever tried. It’s sweet, savory and ever so slightly spicy.
Taste: 20/20
6. Cinnamon Chai
Never thought you’d start your day with a bowl of gingersnaps before, huh? Well, it tastes that way at least. The smell alone will inspire thoughts of crunchy leaves and autumn pies past, thanks to aromatic cinnamon, ginger and cardamom. All three warm spices boast tons of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. You’ll also note hints of clove and allspice, as is traditional to chai spice.
Taste: 19/20
The PureWow100 is a scale our editors use to vet new products and services, so you know what's worth the spend—and what's total hype. Learn more about our process here.
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