Simple Truth Organic Fruit & Nut Granola Clusters — ENGINEERED

Munch or Dump rates Simple Truth Organic Fruit & Nut Granola Clusters by Simple Truth Organic ENGINEERED — score 30/90.

An organic granola that stacks three separate sweeteners — brown rice syrup, cane sugar and honey — on top of refined canola oil. The oats, nuts and seeds are genuinely good, but the sweetness is engineered, and 'organic' does not make three sugars healthy. This is a sweet treat wearing a wholesome label.

Why this verdict

• Three distinct added sweeteners: brown rice syrup, cane sugar and honey
• Hyper-palatable structure: sugar plus refined oil plus refined grain
• Refined organic canola oil as the binding fat
• Real nuts, seeds and fruit are present but do not offset the sugar load

Ingredients (10)

• organic rolled oats (safe) — Whole grain base; genuinely good fiber source.
• organic brown rice syrup (caution) — Added sweetener with a very high glycemic index — first of three sugars.
• organic cane sugar (caution) — Straight added sugar — second sweetener in the stack.
• ORGANIC HONEY (moderate) — Third added sweetener; natural but still added sugar.
• ORGANIC CANOLA OIL (moderate) — Refined oil that binds clusters and raises calorie density.
• Organic cashews (safe) — Real nut; healthy fats and protein.
• organic almonds (safe) — Real nut; healthy fats, fiber and vitamin E.
• Organic Chia Seeds (safe) — Omega-3 and fiber source.
• Organic dried cranberries (moderate) — Dried fruit; contributes additional natural sugar.
• Mixed Tocopherols (safe) — Natural vitamin-E antioxidant used to keep oils fresh.

Healthier alternatives

• Original Ancient Grain Granola
• Bio&Me Cocoa & Hazelnut Protein Granola
• Bio&Me Low Sugar, Naturally Gut-Loving Granola
• Bio&Me Granola Super Nutty
• Lizi's Low Sugar Granola Nuts & Seeds