Numerous Nutella fans may be taken aback upon learning of its ingredients; Nutella contains high levels of sugar, fat and calories.
Hazelnuts and cocoa provide some beneficial nutrients, but overall these sweet treats should be enjoyed sparingly as a treat.
Sugar, palm oil and skim milk are the primary components of Nutella, with soy lecithin serving as an emulsifier to keep everything combined together smoothly and avoid separation of ingredients during production.
Sugar
Nutella’s sweet taste comes from sugar derived either from beets or refined cane sugar, one of the primary components.
Sugar is an addictive food additive, providing short-term energy boosts while potentially leading to weight gain, diabetes and heart disease if consumed excessively. Nutella contains high amounts of sugar so should only be eaten in moderation.
Hazelnuts are one of the key components in Nutella, providing essential nutrition such as vitamin E, magnesium and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats to your body. Unfortunately, however, Nutella contains many calories and sugar which may present obstacles for those trying to lose weight.
The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugars to no more than 100-150 calories daily for women and 150-250 for men respectively. With Nutella being packed full of five teaspoons of sugar in every tablespoon, adding up quickly!
Nutella contains many ingredients that may be detrimental to our health, such as saturated and trans fats, sodium and artificial flavors, common allergens such as nuts and milk and artificial flavorings that should be avoided by anyone with allergies or dietary restrictions.
Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts are an immensely popular snack, whether eaten alone or mixed into other sweet food such as chocolate. Their nutritious properties also make them an excellent addition to many dishes – they can be eaten raw, roasted or ground into a paste for easier consumption. Hazelnuts contain vitamins A and E as antioxidants while providing protein, fiber and minerals such as potassium, iron and magnesium.
Nutritious nuts such as hazelnuts provide a good source of unsaturated fats that help lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL levels, while improving triglycerides and decreasing insulin resistance.
Hazelnuts provide 17 grams of fat, mostly unsaturated. A single serving also provides some carbohydrates (1.2 grams), starch and proteins as well as some essential vitamins and minerals. Hazelnuts’ carb content also features fiber that can aid digestion while protecting against issues like bloating, constipation and diarrhoea.
Nutella and other Ferrero products use hazelnuts sourced primarily from Turkey; however, recent human rights investigations have revealed that some farms there exploit Syrian migrants by making them work on steep terrain with tether ropes while paying less than promised when hired. Companies and foundations have started working toward encouraging responsible and sustainable hazelnut production practices.
Read More: Nutrition and Dietetics
Skim Milk
Nutella does not contain high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils or artificial ingredients; however, it does contain added sugar, palm oil and hazelnuts as sources of added calories and saturated fat if consumed excessively; although delicious when enjoyed in moderation it should not be seen as a healthy breakfast choice.
One tablespoon of Nutella contains 8.4 grams (two teaspoons) of sugar – more than half its weight! Furthermore, its ingredient list includes vegetable fat (palm) which increases cholesterol levels.
Palm oil is used as an ingredient in Nutella to maintain its solid consistency at room temperature and stabilize fat emulsions, but as it’s refined it does not provide any therapeutic properties like virgin coconut or olive oils do.
Skim milk is another key component in Nutella. Skim milk is produced as a by-product of whole milk by extracting fat from its top layer after separation of cream from vat. While skim milk doesn’t contain as much Vitamin A than whole milk, it also lacks in dietary fiber content.
Nutella, the popular chocolate-hazelnut spread enjoyed by millions worldwide, is enjoyed in moderation only as part of dessert topping or small amounts on toast or crepes. Each year the production of this treat exceeds that of the Empire State Building and could fill a basket the size of Colosseum! Though Nutella may be enjoyed in moderation as part of dessert topping or small amounts on toast or crepes.
Palm Oil
Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from the mesocarp of palm fruit trees found in tropical regions across Africa, Asia and South America. This stable and solid fat provides saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids as well as vitamin E; additionally it’s abundant with beta carotene which your body can convert into vitamin A for additional benefits. Palm oil has become increasingly popular cooking oil over time – particularly those living in warmer climates – with evidence supporting improved cardiovascular health, eye health benefits and reduced risks of cancers among other benefits.
Palm oil boasts a high smoke point, making it ideal for frying and sauteing foods. In addition, its versatility extends beyond food preparation: cosmetics, detergents, pharmaceutical products and to a lesser extent biofuel are among its many uses. Palm oil can be found in nearly half of packaged food items we consume daily such as pizza, doughnuts and chocolate as well as lipstick, deodorant soap and toothpaste products – one of its primary uses in society today!
Unrefined palm oil, which has undergone less processing than refined versions, is a staple in many West African cuisines and curries. Packed full of phytonutrients such as tocotrienols and sterols – thought to offer health benefits including prevention of coronary heart disease – it contains 50% saturated fat which could raise cholesterol levels but has relatively few trans fatty acids; additionally it’s an excellent source of vitamin A essential for vision health and immunity functions.
