Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and, in my case, my favorite meal of the day. Homemade granola is an excellent healthy choice when it comes to breakfast. Mix it with yogurt, milk, fresh or frozen fruits, orange juice… you name it. Is so versatile that you can combine it with so many other excellent healthy foods.
Making your own granola is very easy to do and in this way you make sure you know what is in your food, you avoid any processed foods and you can get creative by adding your favorite flavors. You can make a big batch, store it in airtight containers (I use jars) and you can use it for a month.
Let’s see some of the main benefits of eating homemade granola daily:
- As it is packed with fiber, granola is an amazing help when it comes to digestive problems. Fiber is extremely important for everyone’s eating habits as it regulates digestion of food.
- The soluble fiber in granola is known to reduce bad cholesterol. By reducing the bad cholesterol, you prevent the development of plaque in your veins and arteries.
- Granola reduces appetite and is a great aid in the weight loss process. The fiber in granola keeps you full for a longer period of time and it prevents overeating.
- Granola can help prevent anemia due to its iron content.
- Its high content of fatty acids, especially Omega 3 help with the proper brain function. So, add as much healthy nuts and seeds to your homemade granola.
- It’s a good source of vitamins and minerals. As it contains a lot of healthy nuts, seeds, dry fruits and other super foods, granola is a great source of magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, vitamin E and B vitamins.
- Is a good protein source due to the nuts and oats.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup chopped walnuts and almonds
- 1 cup sunflower and pumpkin seeds
- 1 cup dry fruits: cranberry, goji berries, raisins
- 4 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
How to:
Preheat the oven; mix all the ingredients until they are all coated with maple syrup and sticky. Place on a parchment paper covered tray and set in the oven for 10-15 minutes on low heat. Make sure to check every 5 minutes to make sure that don’t get burned. When they are ready they should have a light brown color. Let it cool and place the granola in airtight containers.
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup chopped walnuts and almonds
- 1 cup sunflower and pumpkin seeds
- 1 cup dry fruits: cranberry, goji berries, raisins
- 4 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Preheat the oven
- Mix all the ingredients until they are all coated with maple syrup and sticky.
- Place on a parchment paper covered tray and set in the oven for 10-15 minutes on low heat. Make sure to check every 5 minutes to make sure that don’t get burned.
- When they are ready they should have a light brown color.
- Let it cool and place the granola in airtight containers.