{"id":262257,"date":"2024-10-11T15:24:50","date_gmt":"2024-10-11T15:24:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/11\/is-nutella-healthy-plus-healthy-alternatives\/"},"modified":"2025-06-25T17:10:53","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T17:10:53","slug":"is-nutella-healthy-plus-healthy-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/11\/is-nutella-healthy-plus-healthy-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Nutella Healthy? (Plus Healthy Alternatives)"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Many years ago, I spent a few weeks vacationing in Europe<\/a>. I hiked, explored beautiful towns, tried local foods, and indulged in way too much of an Italian favorite: Nutella. I\u2019d eat Nutella for breakfast and dessert, and it was a delicious, chocolatey treat.<\/p>\n

When I got home, I\u2019d occasionally buy a jar of Nutella to enjoy. But I wondered, is Nutella healthy? As I learned more about the ingredients, I realized it wasn\u2019t a good option. I created my own recipe for homemade Nutella<\/a>, but that often takes more time than I have. <\/p>\n

I was determined to find a healthier, pre-made, lower-sugar version of this spread. <\/p>\n

What is Nutella?<\/h2>\n

Chocolate hazelnut spread has been popular since the early 1800s when chocolate was scarce because of import laws. To stretch the chocolate they did have, chocolatiers started adding hazelnuts, which were abundant, to create a spreadable treat. They called it gianduia, and it maintained popularity through the years.<\/p>\n

During WWII, chocolate availability was again impacted by rationing. Pietro Ferrero, a chocolatier 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 the US.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the American version contains a high amount of sugar and questionable ingredients. While it was marketed as a healthy breakfast food, due to its high sugar content, I\u2019d lump it in with donuts and pastries.<\/p>\n

Is Nutella Healthy?<\/h2>\n

Based on the commercials, you may think Nutella is a health food worthy of a place on your breakfast (and lunch and dinner) table. It doesn\u2019t contain many ingredients, and they all seem somewhat harmless. Unfortunately, those simple ingredients are hiding some problems:<\/p>\n

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Nutella Ingredients: sugar, palm oil, hazelnuts, cocoa, skim milk powder, whey powder, soy lecithin, and vanillin<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Seems like simple and relatively healthy ingredients, right? At least we can pronounce them all! Heck, even a 5-year-old could probably pronounce all of those ingredients. However, digging a little deeper into the ingredients shows hidden problems with this spread.<\/p>\n

Nutella Ingredients<\/h2>\n

Unfortunately, several ingredients disqualify Nutella from health food status. It doesn\u2019t have any nutritional value or health benefits. In fact, the amount of added sugar and artificial flavors means it\u2019s something to avoid. If you wouldn\u2019t eat a candy bar for breakfast or feed one to your child, then skipping Nutella is probably a good idea, too.<\/p>\n

Sugar<\/h3>\n

The first ingredient is refined sugar\u2026 and not a small amount. Two tablespoons of this chocolatey spread contains 21 grams of sugar or five cubes of added sugar! That\u2019s more than most candy bars and donuts!<\/p>\n

To make matters worse, the sugar is not organic. Nutella mainly uses sugar from beets, a highly refined sugar often containing large amounts of pesticides. Sugar beets are also often GMOs. Hardly a health food.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a time and a place for sugar consumption (in moderation, of course). But it\u2019s important to choose organic and non-GMO sugar.<\/p>\n

Palm Oil<\/h3>\n

Palm oil is a healthy fat that\u2019s common in many things, including food, detergents, and beauty products. This oil grows in the tropics (mostly Southeast Asia) and is often harvested unsustainably. This contributes to deforestation, habitat destruction, water pollution, and human rights offenses.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, not all palm oil harvesting harms the environment. If properly sourced, it can be a very nutritious ingredient. Palm Done Right<\/a> works to raise awareness about properly sourced palm oil and encourages consumers to choose ethical and healthier options. Nutella uses 100% certified sustainable palm oil that\u2019s RSPO certified (one of the few good things about it).<\/p>\n

Soy Lecithin<\/h3>\n

Another controversial ingredient in this spread is soy. Unless it comes from an organic source, soy is a highly sprayed crop (often GMO). It\u2019s processed with hexane, a harsh solvent and gasoline byproduct. Soy also contains xenoestrogens, which are potent endocrine disruptors. Many experts think that these xenoestrogens may be partially to blame for rising rates of reproductive issues.<\/p>\n

While it\u2019s hard to completely avoid soy lecithin, there are healthier alternatives. For example, sunflower seeds don\u2019t have the same problems.<\/p>\n

Commercial Dairy<\/h3>\n

Nutella also contains non-organic \u201cskimmed milk powder.\u201d Don\u2019t get me wrong, I have no problem with ethically sourced dairy, but that\u2019s not what you\u2019ll find in Nutella.<\/p>\n

Commercially sourced dairy comes from cows raised in terrible conditions and fed GMO grains and antibiotics. It\u2019s also pasteurized and homogenized. By the time it becomes \u201cmilk powder,\u201d it\u2019s full of oxidized cholesterol, which forms during dehydration. This is one of the most harmful types of cholesterol.<\/p>\n

Hazelnuts<\/h3>\n

Hazelnuts are a wonderful and nutritious food that originated 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.<\/p>\n

Cocoa Powder<\/h3>\n

Cocoa is another nutritious food that has a place in a healthy diet. It\u2019s got antioxidants, which are good for heart health. Unfortunately, much of the world\u2019s supply is harvested in unethical ways, including child slave labor<\/a>. It\u2019s ironic and sad that forced child labor and slavery produce the treats we love. <\/p>\n

According to an investigation by the BBC<\/a>, these child slaves work 80 to 100 hours a week without pay. They\u2019re underfed, don\u2019t receive education, and most will never see their families. An estimated 1.8 million children work in the cocoa fields in Ghana and the Ivory Coast.<\/p>\n

No matter how good something is for my health, I refuse to buy or consume any product that comes from children forced into slavery and inhumane conditions. Thankfully Nutella uses cocoa produced without child labor and supports healthy cocoa production.<\/p>\n

Vanillin<\/h3>\n

It would be easy to glance over this ingredient and assume it\u2019s just a technical name for real vanilla\u2026 but it isn\u2019t. Real vanilla extract is essentially a tincture made from vanilla beans (here\u2019s how to make it<\/a>). It has a wonderful flavor and even contains some B vitamins.<\/p>\n

Vanillin isn\u2019t so wholesome. It\u2019s an artificial vanilla flavor combined with sugar or corn syrup. In stores, labels sometimes list it as \u201cimitation vanilla.\u201d It\u2019s often derived from things like wood pulp\u2026 hardly what I want in my food!<\/p>\n

Nutella: Health Washing?<\/h2>\n

You aren\u2019t alone if you\u2019ve thought Nutella was healthy (even though it isn\u2019t). A 2012 lawsuit<\/a> convicted Nutella\u2019s parent company, Ferrero USA, of making misleading health claims in its advertising and packaging.<\/p>\n

The result was a $3 million settlement. The company was forced to reimburse consumers who had bought it, thinking it was healthy. It also required Ferrero USA to change its packaging, website, and marketing to reflect the high sugar content.<\/p>\n

Is There a Healthy Nutella?<\/h2>\n

I know you might be thinking, Nutella is so delicious. Can\u2019t we enjoy it in moderation?<\/p>\n

And normally, I\u2019d say yes, we can enjoy things in moderation. But when it comes to a blend of refined, highly processed ingredients, I just can\u2019t get on board with that.<\/p>\n

I created a homemade Nutella recipe that I make in the food processor. But I don\u2019t always have the time to make it. It\u2019s great to have a healthier store-bought option. Thankfully, I found Nutiva\u2019s Organic Hazelnut Spread \u2014 a healthy alternative.<\/p>\n

A Healthy Alternative to Nutella<\/h3>\n

Nutiva\u2019s organic, non-GMO verified, dairy-free, gluten-free spread has all the deliciousness of Nutella without the harmful junk. My kids enjoy this nostalgic treat in moderation! <\/p>\n

Our family loves Nutiva\u2019s spread because it\u2019s:<\/p>\n