Figuring Out Food Part 3

INGREDIENTS

The ingredients in Mountain Rise Granola fall into two different categories: food and additives.

The foods are as follows:

• organic oats
• organic canola oil
• organic cane sugar
• fresh milled organic whole wheat
• organic cornmeal
• organic eggs
• water
• organic vanilla
• sea salt

The additives are:

• baking soda (non-irradiated)
• baking powder (aluminum free)

The two additives, baking soda and baking powder work as leavening agents. Baking powder has a bigger than baking soda as it is also a pH control agent and an anti-caking agent.

VITAMINS AND MINERALS

Another aspect of this food is vitamins and minerals. Some of the major minerals in Mountain Rise Granola are Iron and Calcium. According to the the Mountain Rise’s nutrition label, there is 5% iron and 1% calcium in the granola.

The FDA Vitamin and Mineral Chart explains that the roles of vitamins and minerals in ones body. Iron is  produces energy, growth and development, red blood cell formation among many other important tasks inside the body.

Calcium, on the other hand, is a major concern as many Americans don’t get enough of it. Calcium helps with blood clots, bone and teeth formation, and muscle contraction.

FATS

Mountain Rise Granola contains 6g total fat, with a 9% DV. This specific granola has 0.5g saturated fat, which has mainly single bonds. Saturated fat is not healthy and can lead to heart disease.

CARBOHYDRATES

There are 17g total of carbohydrates in Mountain Rise Granola, with 4.5g being sugar. The majority of the sugars are predictably coming from the organic cane sugar and the organic vanilla. The 2g of dietary fiber are likely soluble due to the main ingredient, oats. Fiber does not contribute calories to our diet.

Starch also has an important role as a carbohydrate by helping create the rough texture and thickening of the granola.

Calories Calculation:

Fat: 9 x 6 = 54

Protein: 4 x 3 = 12

Carbohydrates: 4 x (17-2) = 60

Total Calories: 126