I have long
been wondering what muesli is made up of because anytime I see it on the
shelves, all that comes to mind is “O that’s Granola but why is it so raw and
not crunchy?” If you have ever thought of this too, then we are in the same
soup (lol). Well, finally we have got some answers and you will also find out
today. So what is the difference between granola and muesli?
MUESLI
This meal
was invented by a Swiss Doctor in the late 1800’s called Dr. Maximillian
Bircher-Benner as a healthy dietary supplement for his patients who had high
levels of cholesterol and the name is generated from a Swiss-German word for
“mix”. Muesli is traditionally made up of rolled oats, nuts, seeds and dried
mixed fruits almost the same as granola just that, in the case of granola, the
ingredients are baked with a sweetener (such as honey) to form chunky, crispy
rock-like shapes (not always the case though).
Muesli is
not baked and so it doesn’t have a crispy nature and can be eaten in various
ways.
You can
- Just add cold milk or probiotic yoghurt and eat it immediately.
- Pour over hot milk or water and leave it for about three minutes.
- Soak it overnight in milk and eat as porridge the next day.
GRANOLA
Granola was
invented in 1863 in Dansville, New York by Dr. James Caleb Jackson and the name
Granola can
also be eaten in a lot of ways but it is usually taken with
- Cold milk
- Yoghurt or
- Ice cream (for the sweet tooth)
Others also
prefer to have it with hot milk or water. Either ways, it’s a choice.
The
difference between granola and muesli here is that, very much unlike muesli,
granola can be eaten raw and straight out of its packaging as a SNACK.
We know some
can eat muesli raw but you will find it in a very small percentage of the
population of those who prefer both.
So
basically, Granola is not only a cereal, but it is a meal-on-the-go. Just snack
on it at any time of the day and anywhere.
HEALTH BENEFITS
So one would
ask, since there is a difference between granola and muesli even though they
are quite similar, is there a difference in their health benefits?
The answer
is NO. Granola and Muesli have the same health benefits and we will outline
some of these benefits for those who would be interested in knowing what they
are consuming and why they should eat Granola or muesli.
Here are a
few:
- Rich in fibre and whole grains which aids and improves digestion, relieves constipation and excess flatulence.
- Prevents anaemia because they contain a significant amount of iron which builds the red blood cells.
- Reduces cholesterol levels which aids in weight management.
- It helps to reduce blood pressure and good for the heart.
- It is satisfying and makes you fuller for longer (good for weight loss)
- It contains Vitamin E which protects the skin from excess sunburn, premature aging and wrinkles.
- It boosts energy levels, leaving you feeling active throughout the day.
So the next
time you start to contemplate on whether to get granola or muesli because you
don’t know which is better, remember, it’s a matter of CHOICE.
Would it be:
- A snack
- A meal-on-the-go
- A cereal OR
- Porridge
The choice
lies in your taste buds(lol). Our
choice? Definitely Bentil’s GRANOLA.
