I’m not sure if it’s trending again or if people just really love it, but I keep getting questions about granola. Is it healthy? Should I eat it? What kind should I buy? Can I make it? All are valid questions so I’m going to answer all of that today as well as give you an easy & healthy homemade granola recipe for you to try.
Is Granola Healthy?
Anytime I get this question about any food item you can almost always guess the answer is “it depends.” There are some foods that are a clear yes (veggies) or no (twinkies) but for the most part we really have to consider context. All foods can fit as along as they don’t cause us any physical harm or they don’t cause us to want to binge or have an unhealthy relationship with food.
So, that being said, I think granola can most certainly fit into a healthy diet and lifestyle. I, personally, do not always buy granola but once it awhile I just want to something crunchy to top my morning yogurt parfait, oatmeal or smoothie bowl. Certainly there are things to look out for when purchasing granola, more on that below but for many it will come down to preference.
Verdict: Granola can be part of a healthy diet & lifestyle
Should I Eat Granola?
I don’t know…should you?! Ha! That’s my sarcastic/sassy comment back when people ask me if they should or shouldn’t eat something. The thing is only you can truly decide how a food makes you feel. That being said, it’s all about context. If your diet is high in processed foods, sugar, artificial flavors/colors, etc. then maybe adding granola on top of that is not a great idea.
On the flip side if you’re someone who eats a relatively whole food diet then what’s the harm in enjoying a little crunch? Answer: no harm at all. So, it then comes down to preference. Do you like granola? Great, grab some to eat? Do you feel like it’s too sweet? Too full of nuts? Just not your cup of tea? Okay, awesome, skip it.
What Kind of Granola Should I Buy?
This may be a better question to ask, because not all granolas are created equal. When I was in college, I used to love the granola found in the dining halls. I can tell you there were no nuts in it (maybe some almond flavoring?!) a ton of sugar and probably little nutritional value. Was it delicious? Yes! Was it filling and satisfying? Not at all.
There are many granolas like that on the market today but there are also some great brands that have a lower added sugar content, a higher fiber content, and just all around provide a ton of nutrient value (i.e. vitamins, minerals, etc.) per bite.
Absolutely! It’s actually fairly easy to make healthy homemade granola, it just takes a little more effort than opening a bag of one of the granolas mentioned above and some planning, but I have faith in you. Most of the ingredients you can buy in bulk and just have ready to go when you want a fresh batch of granola. It also lasts for probably a week in your pantry (I say probably because it goes fast in my house because it’s so tasty!)
Grab your favorite ingredients and get to work. You can add this healthy homemade granola recipe to your weekly meal prep and then you have a little something to look forward to for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert.
Easy & Healthy Homemade Granola
Alright, now for what you’ve all been waiting for…unless of course you just skipped on down to the recipe then good on ya! This recipe was so easy to make and was one of my favorites that I made during all this quarantine mayhem.
This homemade granola is low in added sugar, high in flavor and also a great source of protein, fiber and healthy fats to keep you satisfied and regular. I can’t wait for you to try it out and let me know what you think!
Pro Tip: You can make this granola your own by adding in different mix-ins like dried cranberries, walnuts, sunflower seeds, etc. to get a different flavor profile every time.
Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine rolled oats, almonds, pumpkin seeds & chia seeds in a large bowl.
In a small bowl, whisk together the rest of the ingredients then pour over the oat mixture and mix to coat evenly.
Spread mixture out in one single layer on baking sheet and bake in oven for 20 minutes
Remove and let cook for 10 minutes before breaking it up and storing in an air tight container.
I hope you enjoy this recipe (or find a brand that you love) and if you do don’t forget to tag me @thesassydietitian or even comment below to let me know how it all turned out.
xoxo,
Sassy
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Pin Now, Granola Later
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