FAQs on breakfast
What's in a jar?
Per every two heaped teaspoons (15g), which is the recommended portion size on wholegrain toast, nutella contains 80 kcals, 1g of protein, 4.7g fat (2.6g monounsaturated, 1.5g saturated and 0.5g polyunsaturated), and 8.5g of carbohydrate of which 8.3g are sugars.
Every 15g portion of nutella contains 2 whole hazelnuts, some skimmed milk and cocoa.
Nutritional information is clearly displayed on all nutella packaging as well as on the Ferrero UK website.
Click to enlarge
How much is a serving?
A 15g serving , which is equivalent to around 2 heaped teaspoons, is the recommend serving on a piece of wholemeal, seeded or granary toast.
Why is breakfast so important?
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but many of us leave the home without it, and one in four children leave home in the morning with no breakfast at all1. When we wake up, our blood sugar levels are low. So, in order to have the energy to start the day we need to refuel our bodies with a good breakfast.
1 Breakfast habits of school aged children, Azmina Govindji 2007
Why is nutella a good option for a tasty breakfast?
We believe that nutella can be eaten as part of a good breakfast, one that provides foods from all the food groups in appropriate amounts (energy and a balance of essential nutrients – carbohydrates, proteins, fat, vitamins and minerals) which contribute to the day’s requirements.
nutella is a low GI food1, which means it releases its energy slowly. Low GI breakfasts have been shown to help maintain energy levels and reduce snacking later in the day.
Using nutella means no butter or alternative fat spread needs to be used so the total fat, and saturated fat, content would be less than that of, for example, jam and standard full fat butter on toast. In addition, the fat in nutella is mainly ‘good’ (non-saturated) fat (two thirds or 67%).
It is recommended that approximately 20% of the day’s nutritional requirement is eaten at breakfast time, therefore nutella’s contribution of 4.7g equates to just 7% of the day’s total fat quota for an adult, and 34% of the 14g GDA fat allowance for an adult at breakfast time.
We advocate that nutella is best eaten with wholegrain toast, with low or no sugar cereal with milk and pure fruit juice.
1 Leatherhead Report, August 2007
How does eating a good breakfast benefit my child's health?
Encouraging parents to ensure their children eat breakfast means that they leave the house with the fuel they need and ready for the day.
Findings from our breakfast report1 show that not eating breakfast appears to be linked to being overweight. However, despite this, one child in four fails to eat breakfast.
Giving children food they enjoy as part of a good breakfast, helps to ensure they start the day with the energy they need. This may help to prevent them from snacking later in the day.1
1 2007 nutella Breakfast Time Report, Azmina Govindji, RD
How much sugar and fat does nutella contain?
Source: Food Standards Agency 2007
Spreading jam (15g) and standard butter (10g) on a piece of toast would mean eating 9.2g fat, of which 5.4g is saturated, and 11.3g sugar. Whereas a serving of nutella in the same way contains 4.7g fat, of which 1.5g is saturated, and 8.5g carbohydrates (of which 8.3g sugars).
This in line with the Government’s Eatwell Plate, which aims to make healthy eating easier to understand by giving a visual representation of the types and proportions of foods people need for a healthy and well balanced diet. It shows that both sugar and fat are acceptable in small quantities as part of a balanced diet. The key is balance and moderation – some foods like fruit and vegetables in large amounts and others like nutella in small amounts.
Does nutella contain any artificial colours, preservatives or trans fats?
No. nutella is free from artificial colours, preservatives and trans fats (trans fatty acids), from hydrogenated fats.
Is nutella a hazelnut spread?
Yes, nutella contains 13 per cent hazelnuts, compared to just 7 per cent cocoa, this equates to 52 hazelnuts in every 400g jar.
Is nutella suitable for vegetarians ?
nutella is not suitable for vegetarians as it contains whey powder, which is made with rennet from an animal source. Whey powder is used in nutella because it gives the product a smooth, pleasant feel on the palate. Although we are always looking at ways of innovating and improving, the unique quality of nutella must always come first.