THE LOW DOWN ON GRANOLA... IS IT HEALTHY OR NOT?!?
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Can we talk about Granola for just a minute?! For some reason granola has associated itself with that "its healthy and good for you" reputation. Yes, granola does have some great nutrients and high fiber ingredients but what we forget about or don't mention is that a lot of granolas are high in fat and loaded with extra sugar. If you eat the average granola in a bowl as cereal for breakfast you can be eating nearly twice as many calories, fat and sugar than your average bowl of cereal. Instead of eating it in small doses as the treat that it really is, it is usually eaten in large doses (a cup ++) and THAT can quickly add up = not so healthy for you.📷
I'm not the best DIYer. I say if I can buy it, why bother taking the time and effort to make it?! BUT, (there's always a but....) when it comes to granola, I LOVE to make my own home-made granola. I can control the ingredients that I use which allows me to still enjoy the amazing taste and flavors of granola without all of the unwanted extra sugar and unhealthy fats. 📷
In my recipe I use raw organic honey instead of the typical cane sugar that is in many granolas. I also use only a little bit of healthy fats in the coconut oil, since the nuts already have their own healthy fats. No need to add all those extra oils. Again, controlling what goes into my granola is the way that I am able to ensure that I am eating healthy quantities of only healthy, quality and 'good for me' ingredients.
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And let's not forget those whole oats, they're good for you too!! Be sure to buy whole oats and not instant or quick-cooking oats. Whole oats contain lots of good for you fiber, are high in protein and have lots of vitamins and minerals like folate and iron.
So... I hope you now have a better understand of where granola got it's "healthy reputation" as well as how easy it is to add lots of extra unhealthy fat, sugar and calories, which means that it really isn't all that healthy. BUT, most importantly, the bottom line, of why it's so good for you to make your own!📷
If all those reasons weren't enough to convince you to make your own granola... it's sooo easy too! You know me! I'm all about quick and easy. So of course, this granola recipe has to be super simple to make. It literally takes less than 5 minutes to prepare. Honestly, even the kiddos can make it, which I love!! I love getting my kids involved in the food prep process. Being part of creating the foods they eat is another way to ensure that they will enjoy tasting and eating all different kinds of foods. So, guys, really this is a no brainer. :) Enough of the talk... down to the point. The recipe!!📷
Here are two of my favorite granola recipes.
Island Granola
Ingredients:
2 cups oats
1/2 cup raw honey
1/4 cup coconut oil
3 tspn vanilla
1/4 dried coconut flakes
1/3 cup goji berries
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup walnuts and macadamia nuts
pinch of salt
Directions:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a small sauce pan, melt coconut oil, honey and vanilla over a low flame. Set honey mixture aside. In a large bowl mix coconut, goji berries, sunflower seeds, nuts, oats and salt. Pour honey mixture over the granola mixture. Mix really well until everything is coated. Thinly spread mixture on a lined baking tray. Bake for 20 minutes until lightly toasted. Allow to cool for 15- 2o minutes. Granola will harden a bit. Store in airtight containers.
Winter Granola
Ingredients:
2 cups oats
1/2 cup raw honey
1/4 cup coconut oil
3 tspn vanilla
1/3 cup pumpkin seeds
3 tspn pumpkin spice
1/2 cup pistachios and almonds
pinch of salt
Directions:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a small sauce pan, melt coconut oil, honey and vanilla over a low flame. Set honey mixture aside. In a large bowl mix pumpkin seeds, pumpkin spice, nuts, oats and salt. Pour honey mixture over the granola mixture. Mix really well until everything is coated. Thinly spread mixture on a lined baking tray. Bake for 20 minutes until lightly toasted. Allow to cool for 15- 2o minutes. Granola will harden a bit. Store in airtight containers.
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Serve granola over coconut yogurt, stuff in baked apples, serve over warm berries, on top of ice cream. Add to some almond butter and dates for a quick energy bite. The options are endless, but most importantly ENJOY!
For lots more healthy recipes download my FREE 5 day Eating for Energy starter kit here.
xx
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