Let’s talk about the big elephant in the room. First I like to state that I use to love nutella as much as the next one. But after reading the true cost about the hazelnut spread, I vowed to never touch that. shit. again. Let me explain why I made such a decision:
- More than half of the contents in a jar of nutella consists of sugar. Each tablespoon (15 g) contains 8,5g of sugar. That makes 75,4g sugar cubes per jar, more than half of the jars weight.
- Nutella skim milk powder, so obviously its not vegan.
- It also contains vanillin, an artificial flavor known as MSG. It’s know to play a critical role in the development of several neurological disorders. (Migraines, seizures, infections, abnormal neural development, certain endocrine disorders, specific types of obesity, ALS, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and olivopontocerebellar degeneration)
- It contains palm oil which is very destructive in so many ways. You can read more about palm oil in our post to get the whole, terrifying picture and why you must avoid it at all costs. To recap briefly, rainforest deforestation, slave and child labour, killing of wildlife on a tremendous scale, huge contribution to global warming….
- Further more, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) declared palm oil to be more carcinogenic than any other oil.
- And to spread on top (pun intended) it also contains soy lecithin. The majority of soy sources in the world are now genetically modified (GM). Researchers have clearly identified GM foods as a threat to the environment, pollution of soils and a long-term threat to human health.
That’s more than enough reasons for a clean breakup according to me. But before you go of crying in the corner with your body-pillow, let me introduce you to your new lover:
Mjautella! (Meow-tella)
Organic ingredients, no destruction, very little sugar and endless ways to change the recipe up! You in? Let’s go!
- 2 cups (5 dl) dry roasted nuts (hazelnuts, almonds, pecans, you can have whatever you like)
- 100 grams dark chocolate, chopped
- 2 tablespoons honey or coconut sugar, more if you like it sweeter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- A pinch of salt (if your nuts are not salted already)
Make it like this:
- Process nuts and coconut oil in a food processor/blender until butter consistency.
- Add chopped chocolate directly into the bowl of your food processor/blender and process until smooth.
- Taste the paste and determine how much sweetener you want to add. Add a pinch of salt if your nuts are unsalted.
- Continue processing to incorporate honey and vanilla into your paste.
- Process a minute or two longer until desired consistency. Let it cool of before devouring. Store in a airtight jar in room temperature and eat within 2-3 weeks.
