Is Nutella Really Healthy? A Deep Dive into Its Contents and Nutritional Value

Perex : Nutella, the world's most popular hazelnut spread, is enjoyed by both children and adults. Many wonder whether Nutella is a healthy choice.

Nutella is the most popular hazelnut spread in the world. The product is consumed by kids and adults. A common question that arises — is nutella healthy? 

Join us as we take a deep dive to learn more about whether Nutella is really healthy.

About the Product

Nutella is a go-to hazelnut cocoa spread loved by people around the world. It is commonly eaten as a spread on a slice of bread, toppings for waffles and pancakes, and so on. 

Nutella has a sweet flavor and a creamy texture. It is prominently featured on breakfast tables as a tasty condiment that comes in a glass jar. The spread is brown-colored due to the chocolate. 

The History of Nutella

The history of Nutella began during World War II when cocoa was short in supply to meet the needs. The spread was first created in Italy by a baker, Pietro Ferrero. He created a sweet paste with ground hazelnuts, sugar, and a small amount of cocoa. It was his solution for the cocoa shortage during the war. This was the first ever recipe of Nutella. 

In 1946, the sweet paste was sold in the shape of a loaf. The loaf-shaped paste could be sliced to spread on a piece of bread. It was called the Giandujot, after a carnival character. In 1951, the sweet paste was sold as a new product — a cream in a jar. It was easier to spread and was called SuperCream. In 1964, the existing recipe was improved and developed. This led to the creation of the Nutella spread. It is now manufactured by the Ferrero company.

The Contents of Nutella

Nutella is made of 7 ingredients to create a creamy, sweet, and indulgent spread. The components in Nutella are as follows —

• Sugar
• Hazelnuts
• Cocoa 
• Milk
• Palm Oil
• Lecithin
• Vanillin 

The Nutritional Value of Nutella

The nutritional value of Nutella has high levels of sugar, calories, and fat. 2 tablespoons (37 grams) of Nutella has only 4% of the RDI of calcium and iron and 2 grams of protein. 

The primary ingredient of Nutella is sugar for the sweet taste. 2 tablespoons (37 grams) of the spread contains 21 grams of sugar. Too much sugar can lead to various chronic diseases and conditions. 

2 tablespoons (37 grams) of the spread contain 200 calories and 12 grams of fat. The high amount of calories is due to the amount of saturated fat — palm oil in the spread. Too much unhealthy fat can lead to weight gain and obesity. 

Summary

Nutella is one of the most loved spreads in the world. The hazelnut and cocoa flavor has become a staple in many households for breakfast. 

However, it is not considered healthy and is loaded with sugar, unhealthy fats, and calories. Although the taste is irresistible, it should be consumed in moderate amounts.