Of course, it doesn’t have to be that way. When you stick to real ingredients and keep sweeteners (you’ll know sugar by one of these 56 different names in the ingredients list) to a minimum, the oat-nut-dried-fruit combo actually can be good for you. Here are eight clean picks to prove it. Udi’s Natural Artisan Original Granola 13 oz for $7.75; amazon.com This toasty, crunchy mix of oats, nuts, banana chips, raisins, and honey is a lot like the basic granola you might make at home if you had the time or energy. In other words, it’s exactly what you want.Nutrition (per serving): 130 calories, 3 g protein, 5 g fat, 18 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 5 g sugar MORE: These DIY Granola Bars Are Junk-Free and 100% Delicious Marge Apricot Pistachio Granola 12 oz for $10; margegranola.com When the company is founded by food blogger and Whole Grain Mornings author Megan Gordon, you figure its granola has to be delicious. And with a unique mix of pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, dried apricots, pistachios, and cardamom, it totally is.Nutrition (per serving): 136 calories, 3.5 g protein, 7 g fat, 15 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 3.5 g sugar Purely Elizabeth Pumpkin Fig Ancient Grain Granola 12 oz for $6.99; purelyelizabeth.com Behold the flavors of your beloved pumpkin spice latte in a form that’s clean enough to eat every day. Think amaranth, quinoa, millet, coconut oil, dried figs, and pumpkin seeds.Nutrition (per serving): 140 calories, 4 g protein, 6 g fat, 17 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 6 g sugar MORE: The 6 Surprisingly Worst Things to Put in Your Yogurt Fiona’s Natural Foods Ginger Walnut Granola Six 12-oz boxes for $30; fionasnaturalfoods.com The best thing about this organic, small-batch granola? Clusters. Lots and lots of clusters. Oh—and the yummy sweet-spicy flavor from loads of crystallized ginger.Nutrition (per serving): 140 calories, 2 g protein, 7 g fat, 18 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 6 g sugar MORE: The 10 Best Low-Sugar Cereals That Don’t Taste Like Twigs Bola Granola Barely Sweet 12 oz for $7; bolagranola.com Not big on crazy flavors? This simple, handcrafted granola might be the one for you. It’s made with the usual oats and nuts, plus quinoa flakes for protein (you’ll also find them in this quinoa cereal) and oat bran for fiber. And it’s sweetened with just a touch of vanilla and maple syrup—that’s it.Nutrition (per serving): 260 calories, 9 g protein, 14 g fat, 27 g carbs, 5 g fiber, 4 g sugar Viki’s Original Gluten-Free Granola Ten 1.5-oz snack-size bags for $11.99; vikisgourmet.com If you find it damn near impossible to stick to a quarter-cup serving of granola, then you’ll love the fact that this gluten-free one comes in portioned-out packs. Toss in your bag and snack on as-is, or use to top yogurt or salad at lunch.Nutrition (per pack): 150 calories, 3 g protein, 10 g fat, 13 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 4 g sugarBear Naked Triple Berry Fit Granola12 oz for $4.49; bearnaked.com It’s like the berry-flavored cereals you loved as a kid, but way better, because this stuff has actual dried berries and ground flaxseed, plus monkfruit extract to keep the sugar low.Nutrition (per serving): 120 calories, 4 g protein, 2 g fat, 23 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 3 g sugar Emmy’s Organics Cacao Coconut Sprouted Super Cereal11 oz for $6.49; emmysorganics.com Emmy’s swaps the usual oats for nutty, crunchy sprouted buckwheat. Raisins, cacao nibs, almonds, and coconut flakes keep things interesting, while organic coconut nectar adds just enough sweetness. (Want more options? Try one of these 10 organic cereals.)Nutrition (per serving): 220 calories, 6 g protein, 4.5 g fat, 41 g carbs, 5 g fiber, 8 g sugar
