What’s up with all the hype about Nutella being a health food?
This stuff is junk food and no good for diabetics. Don’t let the catchy funky name “Nutella” mislead you.
It’s not even good for non-diabetics. Avoid it, even if it’s on sale. It’s not good for kids, either. Think of Nutella as spreadable candy.
“Nutella is NOT a perfect food (despite the commercials you are seeing),” says Susan L. Besser, MD, with Mercy Medical Center, Baltimore, and Diplomate American Board of Obesity Medicine and board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.
“It is actually a high sugar, high fat, processed food,” continues Dr. Besser.
“Really, it’s not so much different from commercial peanut butter — except it also has dairy ingredients that peanut butter doesn’t have.”
The presence of dairy ingredients does not make Nutella a health food or a healthy option for diabetics or anyone else.
Remember, this spread is packed with sugar.
This is the last thing that a diabetic needs.
Dr. Besser says, “There are NO benefits for diabetics to eat this product. However, if they want to enjoy a small amount as part of a balanced diet — go right ahead.”
What this means is that you can occasionally fit in a small amount of Nutella – but it would be a part of, not an adjunct to, your healthy diet — which is ideally plant based.
An occasional tablespoon of the spread on a slice of whole grain bread won’t hurt you. As long as you know what it really is, rather than what it’s marketed as.
So if you decide to eat this product, treat it as you would chocolate bon bons, a dish of ice cream, a brownie, a Pay Day bar, a waffle with syrup, a can of soda, a bowl of Cheetos, etc.
The “Nut” in Nutella stands for nut, not nutritious.
