Some people consider granola a health food, but many store-bought brands can be deceptively high in calories and fat and, in general, not very nutritious for you. Check out the granola that scores at the bottom of the NuVal scale:
- Cascadian Farm Maple Brown Sugar Granola: 16
- Cascadian Farm Granola Oats and Honey: 18
- Quaker 100% Natural Oats & Honey Granola: 22
Not what you call nutritious. 
The high sugar content and saturated fat in these brands of granola bring down the scores. However, not all granola is created equally! Check out these top-scoring varieties:
- Nature’s Path Organic Hemp Granola: 45
- Bear Naked Fit Triple Berry Crunch Granola: 91
- Bear Naked Fit Vanilla Almond Crunch Granola: 91
Much more nutritious, right? 
Trading Up Downtown Giveaway
Giveaway time! 
Here’s your chance to win some Bear Naked Fit Triple Berry Crunch Granola, Bear Naked Fit Vanilla Almond Crunch Granola, and a NuVal t-shirt.
To Enter: Visit the NuVal website or one of the NuVal blogs and leave a comment about a score that surprised you. I will randomly pick a winner on Monday morning.
Good luck!
Developed by an independent panel of nutrition and medical experts, the 
I’m really surprised at the low score of chicken broth- why is it so low?
Some cereals and yogurts are surprising to me… I love the fact that I switched to greek yogurt though! So good!
I’m suprised that Kashi strawberry fields is so low. But I guess you really can’t just rely on a specific brand that you think is “healthy” – you have to really look at the nutrition/ ingredients of each product!
I was surprised that Peace Cereal Mango Passion Low Fat Crisp Real Mango Pieces only recieves a 4! As a supposedly “healthy” organic company, one would think Peace could do a lot better nutrition wise in their cereals!
Can’t believe how low the Kashi scores!
Pepperidge Farn 100% whole wheat bread only scores a 29…I would have thought that score would be so much higher.
Glad i made the trade up to Greek Yogurt, crazy good scores!
I love Bear Naked granola!
Kashi Strawberry Fields – 11??? sheesh. I wonder what the new Kashi GoLean Crisp score is…probably in that same ballpark with all the sugar it has!
I can’t believe the variation in cereal scores…seems like Shredded Wheat is in my future, it’s a superstar!
I know this sounds crazy but I was surprised how high cucumbers scored. I heard one time that cucumbers are not the most nutritious vegetable but they score in the 90’s which knocked me off my feet because I love cucumbers but I think all the nutrients is in the skin.
Another surprising score was 1% cottage cheese only scored a 41 why is that?
Shocking that Campagna Turano Italian bread has a score of only 2! I loove italian bread:(
Like others, I’m surprised at how low some of the cereals score when they come from brands that are known to be “healthy”. Thanks for the giveaway!
I’m surprised cheese itz party mix gets a 20. I’m not complaining, I’m just surprised
I’m still baffled by the score of canola vs. olive oil.
I was surprised by Quaker 100% Natural Oats & Honey Granola’s low NuVal #. I would expect something that says “100% Natural” on its label to be a little more nutritious. Can’t always judge a book by its cover!
It’s surprising to see how cereal’s are rated. Ones I thought were very healthy did not score very high!
Well, olive oil only has a score of 11. But I guess the high calorie content explains that…but healthy fats are also a must!
A lot of the Kashi scores really surprised me – shows you how much false marketing/advertisting exists in the world, eh?
I was shocked that some of the Kashi scores were so low. I picture it as a healthy brand but like anything, you need to reach the ingredient labels.
I was a little surpised that Silk light soy milk got an 82. I thought the score would be a bit lower due to the added sugar. I do drink soy milk though and love it
i was surprised at the low broth score too! Why so low?
i think salmon should have a higher score!! an 87 isn’t that bad, really, but still :]
oh, and chicken broth is super low. because of sodium, maybe?
I was impressed that avocado gets a score of 89! Healthy fat
I’m surprised at the low score of coconut!
I was surprised sauerkraut got such a low score (2). I guess just because something is made mostly of cabbage doesn’t make it healthy.
I can’t believe the Del Monte Fresh French Green Beans No Salt Added (canned) scored a 100. Sometimes you hear people say that fresh is always better. It’s good to know that some canned vegetables, such as these green beans, are just as good! (And super convenient!)
I thought the post the other day about canola oil v. olive oil was interesting. Should I be trading up and using canola more often??
One product I was surprised by was Del Monte Quality Sweet Bavarian Style Sauerkraut with Caraway Seeds (canned). They scored a 2, which is incredibly low!! Maybe this product is so low, because it’s full of sodium? I was just shocked.
I was surprised that 1% cottage cheese was only a 41. I know it’s cheese, but its lowfat and packed with protein!
I’m so surprised that Kashi Strawberry cereal is so low. It’s almost equal with Cap’n Crunch! What??
I was surprised that Kashi 7 Whole Grain Flake cereal scored so low. I can’t wait for Nuval to come to my stores.
a chicken breast only scores in the 30s! I assumed that would be so much higher!
I was shocked that Kashi Strawberry Fields cereal comes in at 11, when Cap’n Crunch Sweetened Corn & Oat Cereal is a 10. Really, not much difference. Whenever I think of Kashi, I always think ‘healthy’. Not so much, I guess!
I was surprised that coconut is so low! Boo! I love fresh coconut!
Kashi TLC Tasty Little Chewy Oatmeal cookies have a score of 40! I thought they would be lower, but I guess not! Awesome!
i surprised at the wide range between the good (91) and the bad (16). I didn’t think the good stuff would be that much higher especially after your recent cereal post. interesting stuff!
I just learned that capers only score a 7! I would have thought they would have a higher score. I learned this on Better Bag of Groceries.
I often buy Sabra hummus because that’s what they have in the store I frequent, but I was bummed when I saw it only got a score of 26 on a Better Bag of Groceries. I swear it seems like Philadephia residents have to scour the area to find many of the high scoring products… It’s either nutrition or a high bill in this area, it seems. It’s a little discouraging.
Most sorbets only score around 2 – yikes! Real fruit is the way to go!
I was very surprised at some of the low cereal scores, especially the kashi ones I would just assume were healthy!!
I was real surprised to see Kashi scored so low!! that was definitely new and informative to me1
Lobster.. a 36? That’s dissapointing
I always thought it was so good for you!
I was surprised by the lower score of Sabara’s hummus as compared to other brands.
Its odd to me that 100% whole wheat bread would score so low… I wonder why?
Thanks for the giveaway, Tina
I’m surprised that Wonder cinnamon bread is super low! I’ll have to look for a trade up!
I was surprised by the Kashi stores, so I switched to 7 whole grain puffs!
I’m a little surprised that iceburg lettuce scores so HIGH — 82 — when it gets such a bad rap for being rather worthless nutritionally. I guess it is a fresh vegetable, after all, so it’s got to be somewhat high!
I was surprised that soy milk and 1% milk were almost the same score. Definitely would have thought that the soy milk would have been higher than the 1%.
I thought ALL granolas were full of sugar and fat, so I’m surprised to see that there are some options that score really high.
I’m surprised by how high the Bear Naked granola scores. I generally steer clear of granola (even though I love it!)because of the high sugar and fat content in so many of them. I’m pretty excited by this news!
I really thought Sprouted Wheat Bread would have a higher score…
I was surprised that Garden of Eatin’ Blue Chips All Natural Tortilla Chips scored a 40…I didn’t think tortilla chips would score so high.
I know that carby bread isn’t the most healthful food choice, but I’m still pretty surprised at how low the breads are in points!
i was surprised that canola oil actually scored higher than olive oil
I am constantly surpised by the Nu-Val scores. However, this week, I was caught off guard by the low score of Kashi Strawberry Fields. I have come to think Kashi=Healthy which may be true, but it is a long shot from being the “healthiest”.
WOW I am suprised about the bare naked granola. I never buy is because its so expensive but I might have to start now. I was always suprised how much higher garden of eaten chips scored compared to the other chips.
I was wondering why some foods are Nuval and others are not? I was looking for millet bread but couldn’t find it?
I was surprised by the kashi strawberry fields cereal. I used to eat that stuff all the time, but have now switched to oatmeal. I guess I made the right choice!
I was sad to learn tha Kashi Go Lean Crunch scores lower than regular Kashi cereal…
Wonder Big White Bread is a 23! I thought it would be a ZERO! Interesting…
I am quite surprised that iceburg lettuce actually got a high score! I always thought it had little-to-no nutritional value because it mostly consists of water. Good to know I was wrong!
Bear Naked Fit Vanilla Almond Crunch Granola: 91
I’m surprised this is so healthy, especially since I usually eat Cascandian Farms! Time to Trade Up!
I’m really surprised how high the Bear Naked granola scored!
I’ve been following “Better Bag of Groceries” and have learned so much about the different NuVal scores. What I find most amazing is the differences between some of the foods that are the same…most recently the pinto beans. If they are organic and from “Eden” they are up towards 100 and some other brands like Bushes is around a 50. what a difference!
I couldn’t believe olive oil scored an 11 and 91 for granola is awesomely surprising, it’s up there with vegetables!! Yes, please!
Kashi ??? Why so low??? I love all their granola bars and cereals. I guess the sugar is kind of high and the protein is low in some of the bars…
I was surprised that scallops only scored a 51, compared to shrimp (75) and clams (71). I’m a big scallop fan and had thought they would be up there with the rest of them!
Wow, I was surprised at how high Hodgson Mill Unprocessed Wheat Bran cereal scored! 100 on the Nuval rating. I loved doing half oats and half wheat bran in the morning so that is great to know!
I was surprised to learn that lite soy milk gets a score of 82. Would’ve thought that it would be a lot lower. Things that make you go hmmm!
I’m surprised at how items that have great potential end up getting killed nutrition-wise due to processing and additives. The idea of something like chex mix could essentially be made healthy (nuts, wheat chex, etc) but it just gets ridiculous with all the extras they feel they need to add.
my beloved kashi strawberry fields cereal… an 11!?!
I was shocked that avocado got just a high score!! Even higher than a lot of other things i thought were more nutritionally dense!
From A Better Bag of Groceries I was surprised and happy to see that Cedar’s Roasted Red Pepper Hummus scores the highest of hummus because roasted red pepper is my favorite kind!
I would have to chime in with the seemingly “healthy” foods getting a bad score due to chemical additives!
Didn’t know cauliflower was so high! Always in my Salads noww
I surprised how low some of the Kashi cereals score.
I was surprised that the healthy version of kettle chips got a 32. Seems high for a potato chip (even healthified!)
I was surprised Life cereal was pretty low.
I was so surprised by the Kashi Strawberry Fields cold cereal score of 11!
So happy to see that greek yogurt scores so high, i love that stuff!
I agree, I was surprised how low the Kashi scores are. i thought they would be higher!
Kashi doesn’t score as high as I thought it would be.
I am so happy to see that spinach scores a 100…..so glad I eat it everyday
To be honest, I’m shocked any brand of granola could score a 91! That’s pretty incredible!
Had no idea the Back to Nature cinnamon grahams were so low! :/
I was surprised that Kashi cookies scored so high – 40 for the oatmeal raisin. I thought they would be much lower considering some of the cereal doesn’t even score that high!
I’m suprised that Teddy Grahams have a score of 24…I thought they would be lower than that!
Mango passion cereal a 4?? And it’s lower than a lot of other sugary cereals and cookies. boooo
I am shocked that raisin bran didn’t get a higher score.
I was surprised that frozen veggies can have as much nutrition as fresh!
I’m surprised that kettle chips are higher than baked chips…good news for me because i prefer kettle!
I am very surprised to find that ice burg lettuce is as high as it is! (82). I have always heard how little nutrition it has. I wonder how it compares to spinach…
I’m surprised by how high Bear Naked scores. Now I really hope I win!=)
I am unpleasantly surprised at how low some of the Kashi scores are.
I have consistently been surprised by the Kashi scores.
So surprised about the frozen spinach (just plain) only being a 67. Maybe some nutrition is lost in freezing? Greek yogurt score make me want to trade up but I don’t know if I can pay that much for a daily thing!
I shopped at Meier’s this week just to check out NuVal scores. I was surprised Kashi isn’t all that I thought it was.
I guess I am a little confused on the olive oil vs. canola oil – I always thought olive oil was the better choice?!
I was surprised Cheez it’s were 23, I used to eat those all the time when I was younger but thought they’d be in the 10-15 pt range
GLUTINO PRETZ HAVE A SCORE OF 1?! I’ve never had them before, but I thought they’d have a higher score than cheetos…which had a score of 5! =XX
i was really surprised that chicken broth only had a score of 2… i know it’s not nutrition filled but it not bad for you either, right? i guess it’s kind of just void of anything….
Any of the Kashi products…especially cereals.
I was surprised that greek yogurt scores so high.
I’m surprised about how high a pineapple is, despite its sugar content. Just another reason to eat more of my favorite!
Sauerkraut!
I was sad to see how low Sabra hummus scored
It is so delicious!
some canned beets got an 8. Aren’t beets good for you!?
I was surprised at the Kashi scores
wow, that’s a huge difference in granola. Glad we have the bear naked kind in the pantry right now!
I was excited to see the bran of hummus on Melissa’s blog scored a 61…..until I read the rest of the post and the brand of hummus I like from Costco (sabra) scored a 26.
Oh well…it still tastes good.
Honestly, your revelation that canola oil scored higher than olive oil surprised me. I don’t know why but EVOO was on a nutritional pedastal in my mind!
I was surprised that so many of the Kashi cereals I love scored so low…makes you realize how powerful marketing can be and how we all have to be informed consumers.
pb puffins has a lower score than i thought
oh well i still love it!
I still found it interesting the olive oil is lower than canola oil because when I think of olive oil I think of savory foods and when I think of canola oil i think: BAKING! But it goes to show that the makeup of foods is a lot different than we perceive sometimes. Also I would LOVE to try a granola that scores so high! I basically stopped eating granola because i love it but it’s not that healthy and I tend to eat multiple servings…
I was surprised about how high the bear naked granolas are. I didn’t except granola too be so high!
I am pleasantly surprised! I came across Bear Naked granola when I was pregnant and looking for high protein foods (they have a Peak Protein line). Now it’s the only brand I buy! I am curious to know how Peak Protein compares to the brands listed here.
I am pleasantly surprised that Bear Naked granolas score so highly. I love them already, and I have used them sparingly because I am always wary of granolas as so many are not very healthy, so thanks for the great info!
I love that the little Kashi oatmeal cookies score so highly. For a cookie, 40 is great score!
I was pleasantly surprised that Garden of Eatin’ Blue Chips All Natural Tortilla Chips got a 40. Maybe my standards are too low, but I think that’s not too shabby for an “unhealthy” snack– especially with some veggie-filled salsa on top! Yum!
I’m surprised that Lobster scored only a 36 in comparison to other shellfish such as shrimp, which scored much higher at 75. I still love the lobster
i was surprised to see the last time I Meijer that Frank’s got such a low score… too much sodium?
I was surprised about the seafood as well…scallops are 51 but shrimp is 75?
That seems like a very high score!!
I’m kind of surprised that Cape Cod chips rate higher than Honey Bunches of Oats!
Peanut butter scores surprised me
i thought that theyd be higher
I was surprised at the Kashi and Cascadian Farm scores.
I’m so happy my favorite fruits, blueberries,
score the perfect 100!!!
and the fact that kashi scores so low is surprising to me. :/
I am always suprised by how high the packaged cereals are!
Very surprised that Kashi Strawberry Fields only scored an 11. Yikes! Just goes to show that reading nutrition/ingredient labels is always necessary, even when you’re buying a decent brand like Kashi
Have always thought Kashi products would score above 90% !!!
I am baffled that Olive Oil only scores a measely 11 points.
Thanks so much for the opportunity! I was a little surprised that canned vegetables have almost half the score as fresh ones! For example, Progresso’s canned artichoke hearts have score of only 18.
I’m surprised how low Kashi scores and that frozen veggies often score the same as regular!
Kashi Strawberry Fields Cold Cereal 11
wow! just goes to show you that, although you may look to Kashi as being a universally healthy brand, you gotta look at those labels!!
I was surprised that teddy grams scored a 24, not too bad for a cookie.
Lobster is 36!!!!
I’m very surprised that canola oil scores higher than olive oil. I always opt to use olive instead of canola but now I may have to rethink my usage.
I was surprised at how poorly ALL of the different breads scored on Nuval – they ranged from 2-48, with an average around 20.
I don’t eat a ton of bread, but since most of the world lives predominately off of grains, I’m surprised our bodies haven’t found better uses for it. I guess we can all count ourselves lucky to be able to afford fruits & veggies!!
I’m surprised that grapefruits rated so high. I imagined they’d be healthy, but didn’t think they’d score 99. I love that!
I expected chicken to be scored a little bit higher than in the 30s!
I can’t believe how low Kashi scores!
I am shocked that Canola Oil scored higher than Olive Oil!
I am pleasantly surprised that sweet potatoes score so high! I love sweet potato baked ‘fries.’
I was surprised by how low Kashi Strawberry Fields scores. Only one point higher than Captain Crunch!!
I was genuinely surprised that Van’s Waffles didn’t score higher than 25! I thought they were a much better choice than regular Eggo’s!
I’m surprised that frozen artichoke hearts rate so low! Geez!
I was surprised at how low some of the foods I always assumed were healthy don’t score just as high as some of the “not so healthy ones”. Kashi products are always my go to for quick, convenient, and healthy but it looks like I may have been overestimating their nutritional superiority.
I’m actually really surprised at how high the Bare Naked Vanilla Almond Granola is!! I literally can eat an entire bag in 24 hours, which is why I stopped buying it as frequently. But now maybe I don’t need to feel so guilty about eating it so much!
I was very sad about Kashi Honey Sunshine.. it tastes sooo good but is not all that healthy
I’m really surprised at Kashi cereal’s low scores. 29 and 11 aren’t that great for a brand I had considered healthy.
i was surprised those bear naked granolas scored so high! i def would have thought theyd be lower since theyre calorie dense. but guess not! they are delicious, id love to win
I was surprised to read that iceberg lettuce got a score of 82 – I thought it was nutritionally void!
I was surprised that the Pepperidge Farm Whole Grain bread had such a low score and that it was close to the Wonder White Bread.
I was surprised by some of the Kashi Cereal scores.
Can’t believe the Quaker Oat Granola Scores! Yikes, better get rid of those in the pantry!!
I was surprised that frozen veggies can have as much nutrition as fresh!
Haha! I’m pumped to see iceburge lettuce has a good score! My mom and I always get told that iceburge is nothing but water and not choosing romaine is a big mistake.
Garlic is 91? Wow! I knew it was good for you, but not that good! I should probably eat pesto more often…
Just found your site through a Better Bag of Groceries and love it. Love granola but not hte score. Glad to know there is a better one.
So glad pineapple scores high, I wasn’t sure since it is so sweet and yummy!
The scores for the Bear Naked Fit (91!?!) was actually really surprising to me… I never thought a granola could score so high, because I was always taught that granola was secretly bad for you!