FlyingMOm Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Dh and I have an ongoing debate about Nutella- one of us maintains that it is a perfectly healthy breakfast choice while the other disagrees. Would the hive please comment on which you believe is correct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 It is way too high in sugar to be considered healthy. Would you eat a candy bar for breakfast, just because it contains nuts? But, I'm a firm believer in anything in moderation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C_l_e_0..Q_c Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 the sugar content is too high. Peanut butter would be a better choice. We can have neither, due to allergies to peanuts and hazelnuts. So for us, no its not a healthy choice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Define healthy... Ok, just kidding. I LOVE Nutella, but no, I would not give it to my child for breakfast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda in VT Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 At home, no, not a healthy breakfast choice. On vacation in France? Absolutely! Nutella on a baguette is the perfect end to a breakfast that started with eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 High in sugar and also contains vanillin (an artificial flavor - not the real thing). So, no it's not healthy. But as the occasional treat it's fine. Very fine. :drool5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 I think it's fine to spread thinly on something - say, a whole wheat bagel - or have more as occasional treat. And it has a bit of protein. But healthy? Not really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mnemosyne Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Not healthy, but very delicious. ;) Growing up, it was a special treat only, which is what I plan to continue with my kids as they get older. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmos Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 I don't think in terms of an individual food being healthful or not, but rather one's diet as a whole. A serving of nutella has roughly the same sugar content as the same amount of jam. I believe that either one can be part of a healthful breakfast. Either one could also be part of a very unhealthful breakfast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustybug Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 No, the first or second ingredient is sugar! But it is oh, so yummy. No, i would not count it as a healthy breakfast choice and would recommend peanut butter instead as well. That being said, we do indulge once in awhile. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 I'm okay with it for an occasional treat, or even for breakfast spread on bread. Not an every day food, but neither is peanut butter. However, pb is much better. Comparing-- Nutella--2T Fat: 12g (4g saturated) Na: 15g Sugar: 21g Protein: 2g Peanut Butter (Walmart brand, not a natural kind)--2T Fat: 15g (2g saturated) Na: 130mg Sugar: 3g Protein: 7g Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendybird Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 I would consider a banana wrapped in a wheat wrap with a stripe of nutella to be a healthy part of breakfast. I have no problem with sugar though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 I voted definitely not healthy. I think of Nutella as a dessert rather than a food. But then I'm not a Nutella devotee nor a chocolate lover. ETA: Looks like Nutella is not much different than a poptart (which I also consider a dessert btw) nutrition-wise. If your breakfast food is typically poptarts or something along those lines then Nutella would fit right in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 It, like anything with chocolate in it, is good for your soul and general well-being. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Healthier than any of the cold cereals my kids prefer, junkier than the hot cereals, pb on toast or eggs etc for breakfast. That said we like it as a treat on toast for breakfast or snacks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Dessert food only, preferably spread on crepes. Now I do occasionally allow desserts for breakfast, such as a birthday treat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Who cares! Sure, it is not exactly health food, but it is delicious. A staple in our house. Breakfast is bread with nutella for DS and DH. Which is actually a very typical breakfast in my home country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 It is way too high in sugar to be considered healthy. Would you eat a candy bar for breakfast, just because it contains nuts? But, I'm a firm believer in anything in moderation. Yes I absolutely would....now would I feed the children a candy bar for breakfast, heck no...they are all for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garddwr Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 It's a staple around here as well. We eat it on whole-wheat bread, and I don't think it's any worse than, say, toast with butter and jam or honey. Don't think it's worse than sweetened breakfast cereals either, and way better than something like pop tarts... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 ETA: Looks like Nutella is not much different than a poptart (which I also consider a dessert btw) nutrition-wise. Nutella does not contain HFCS. Pop tart does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heatherwith4 Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 It's too much sugar for breakfast, at least for me. It's a yummy treat, though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn. Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Why do you people keep saying to have peanut butter instead? I thought they were supposed to be eaten together? Around here, the kids eat peanut butter and nutella sandwiches! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Why do you people keep saying to have peanut butter instead? I thought they were supposed to be eaten together? Around here, the kids eat peanut butter and nutella sandwiches! :D That would be like eating a reese peanut butter cup sandwich lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UrbanSue Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 No way, not healthy. It's candy. But we do occasionally have it on croissants (we have awesome European-style bakeries here) for a breakfast treat. Maple syrup is no worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom31257 Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 It's great on waffles with fresh banana and strawberries. Does eating if with fresh fruit make it healthy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 It's a staple around here as well. We eat it on whole-wheat bread, and I don't think it's any worse than, say, toast with butter and jam or honey. At least I can buy jam that is all-fruit without any added sugar. The jam we use (Trader Joe's Organic Superfruit) has only 8 g. sugar per Tbsp. and is 30 kcal vs. 21 g. of sugar and 200 kcal for Nutella. That's a huge difference in terms of nutrition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freckles Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 I voted in moderation. When we lived in Germany my kids went to a DOD school. I got reprimanded for sending a peanut butter and nutella sandwich with my kinder to school. They said it was considered dessert. My thinking was it really is no different than jelly. I sent them anyway because I'm a rebel. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 The number one ingredient is sugar. No, it is not healthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 I don't think in terms of an individual food being healthful or not, but rather one's diet as a whole. A serving of nutella has roughly the same sugar content as the same amount of jam. I believe that either one can be part of a healthful breakfast. Either one could also be part of a very unhealthful breakfast. This is a great thought. We would not do Nutella for breakfast (or any meal). But really, it is not worse than many things many people as part of a regular breakfast including sugared cereals, flavored yogurts, pastries, muffins, sweet bread, sweetened peanut butter, jam, syrup, etc. We actually don't regularly do any of the above at breakfast. I spent a week with a family in France in high school as part of an exchange program. They fed me Nutella and hot chocolate every day. LOL! Vive la France! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 High in sugar and also contains vanillin (an artificial flavor - not the real thing). This. Some members of my family have bad reactions to vanillin. Were it not for that, I'd definitely be buying it! Chocolate is good for the soul! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyD Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Not healthy at all. Which is unfortunate, because it is delicious, but I can't see any way to rationalize it as anything other than a dessert treat. I saw a print ad for Nutella as a 'healthy' breakfast option in a magazine recently -- it may be been Family Fun? -- and used it as an opportunity to talk about advertising. Now that I'm thinking about Nutella, I wish I had some in the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Nutella does not contain HFCS. Pop tart does. Nor artificial colors. I forgot about that too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 The Trader Joe's almond knockoff doesn't have vanillin. Otherwise, it's pretty much the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenangelcat Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 No, not healthy. And yuck because it tastes all chemically. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 I voted healthy but I don;t really consider it healthy as much as it is okay to eat (and more than 2 x a week), On the other hand, dark chocolate covered nuts are actually healthy to eat = not as the sole food you are eating but still. I was told by my doctor in Belgium that when I am on corticosteroids (and basically I am always on at least one - Advair, and often up to three - prednisone or medrol, Nasonex, and Advair) that I should eat more chocolate and nuts. I know that dark chocolate is much healthier than milk so dark chocolate covered almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc. Which is why I am conflicted with Nutella= it is chocolate and nut spread but not dark chocolate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 No Nuttella is not a healthy breakfast option. As an occasional treat sure go for it. As for peanut butter I buy Adams without any sugar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 we had it for breakfast on Christmas. So, yes, I have had it for breakfast. I don't think it's bad for you. Typically, I would consider it an occasional dessert or snack/treat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songsparrow Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 You could try making your own, healthier version. I haven't made it yet, but am planning to try it at some point, because my kids love Nutella but I won't let them eat it regularly. Paleo Mom has a recipe here: http://www.thepaleomom.com/2012/09/paleo-crepes-with-nutella.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.Dup. Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 I voted fine in moderation but I certainly wouldn't consider it "healthy." Whether it's fine for breakfast is another issue, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Store bought nutella has high fructose corn syrup in it. Definitely not a healthy choice. In moderation as a treat it is ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flmom Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Taking into consideration it contains way too much sugar and also contains soy lecithin and vanillin/artificial flavor, my vote is no way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenpatty Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 I voted "no way" but really it's no worse than putting syrup on pancakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustybug Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Why do you people keep saying to have peanut butter instead? I thought they were supposed to be eaten together? Around here, the kids eat peanut butter and nutella sandwiches! :D We do that too. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 No, not healthy. And yuck because it tastes all chemically. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Store bought nutella has high fructose corn syrup in it. Definitely not a healthy choice. In moderation as a treat it is ok. Not true. I have the nutella jar in front of me. Other chocolate spreads, maybe. nutella, nope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangermom Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 I love Nutella, but it's basically a spreadable candy bar. I don't eat peanut-butter cups for breakfast either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrissiK Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 It is way too high in sugar to be considered healthy. Would you eat a candy bar for breakfast, just because it contains nuts? But, I'm a firm believer in anything in moderation. I agree with this statement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lune Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Who cares! Sure, it is not exactly health food, but it is delicious. A staple in our house. Breakfast is bread with nutella for DS and DH. Which is actually a very typical breakfast in my home country. :iagree: We're from Europe; DS has Nutella for breakfast almost every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn. Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 That would be like eating a reese peanut butter cup sandwich lol Exactly! :D Even better, is toasting the bread, putting chocolate chips on it while it's warm, and making a pb and choco chip sandwich. Puts nutella to shame! And it's darker chocolate, less sugar, and therefore healthy! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaceyinLA Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 Justin's makes a chocolate hazelnut butter that is a healthier version of Nutella. Outright healthy? Not so sure. But healthiER. Oh, and still very good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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