How healthy is your bowl of muesli?

You might think that your morning bowl of muesli is good for you, but you'd be surprised by how unhealthy it really is.

The lowdown on muesli

Here's why your morning bowl could be adding as many as 500 calories to your diet...

1. Milk. The fat in dairy produce is saturated, and unhealthy for humans to consume.

2. Nuts. They are packed full of fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals. But use them sparingly - two tablespoons of walnuts gives almost 100 calories!

3. Dried fruit. These contain fibre, iron, vitamins and minerals, but they also contain of sugar, so don't overdo eating them. A quarter cup of cranberries, for example, is over 100 calories.

Most store-bought brands are packed with unnecessary fats, calories, carbs, and sugar.

Tips for healthier muesli

• Look for brands containing little or no dried fruit; rather top your bowl with fresh fruit.

• Check for unroasted, oil-free varieties and bags that don't contain too many nuts.

• Use low-fat or fat-free milk.

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