Are you looking for something to eat for breakfast or a snack during the day? You may have seen 'Granola' in the supermarket, in beautiful packets. Many people think that this is a very healthy and nutritious food. But is that really the case? Is every granola you buy from the store good? Today, we will talk about this granola in detail, from A to Z.
Simply put, what is granola?
Granola is a crunchy breakfast or snack food. It is made by combining oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. You can eat it as a cereal with milk, spread it on top of yogurt, or make it into a snack bar.
Since the main ingredient is oats, granola is a high-fiber food . This fiber helps you feel full even after eating a small amount, and it also helps you stay full for longer. In addition, this fiber helps control your blood sugar levels and lowers cholesterol levels over time. Also, the dried fruits and nuts added to granola provide our bodies with healthy fats, nutrients, and antioxidants .
But there is a small problem. Most of the time, the granola we buy from the store can have unnecessary added sugar and saturated fat . But the best thing is, we can make delicious, wholesome granola at home.
What is the difference between Granola and Muesli?
Many people get these two confused. Although both contain things like oats, nuts, and dried fruits, there is a slight difference. Let's see what that is.
| Feature | Granola | Muesli |
|---|---|---|
| How to set up | It is mixed with oil and sweeteners (e.g. honey, sugar) and baked until golden brown and crunchy. | It is often prepared raw or lightly dry toasted. It is not baked. |
| Sugar content | Because sweeteners are added during baking, the sugar content is usually higher than in muesli. | The sugar content is usually low, and the sweetness often comes from the dried fruits that are added. |
| Appearance and nature | Clumped, clustered, and boxy. | A mixture of oats and other ingredients that are separate. |
What are the health benefits of eating granola?
If you choose a low-sugar, healthy granola, there are several benefits to your body.
It can help you lose weight.
The oats and whole grains in granola are high in fiber, which helps you feel full even after eating a small amount. This helps control frequent eating and helps you control your weight.
Lowers "bad" cholesterol (LDL) levels
Oats contain a special compound called beta-glucan . Research has shown that it reduces the levels of "bad" cholesterol, or LDL cholesterol, in our bodies. LDL cholesterol is what gets deposited in our blood vessels, clogging them and causing heart disease.
Controls blood sugar levels
Being a high-fiber food, eating granola slows down the rate at which our bodies digest sugar and carbohydrates. This prevents blood sugar spikes. But remember, this benefit only comes from granola with no or minimal added sugar. If you have a condition like diabetes, it's best to talk to your doctor before making any food choices.
May help lower blood pressure
Foods like flaxseeds, fruits, and whole grains have been found to help lower high blood pressure. So adding granola that contains these foods to your diet can reduce your risk of heart disease.
Good for gut health
Some granola bars contain prebiotic fiber , which helps the growth of healthy gut bacteria, which helps with digestion and overall gut health .
How to choose a healthy granola?
If you buy granola from the store, it may be labeled "healthy" on the front of the package, but it's not always that way. So, take a moment to read the nutrition label and ingredients list .
The ingredients list is the first thing that is most present in the food. So if things like sugar and corn syrup are at the top of the list, it's best to stay away from that granola.
To choose a good granola, consider these points:
- Sugar should be reduced: Less than 5 grams of sugar per serving is better.
- Sodium (salt) should be reduced.
- Saturated fat should be reduced: less than 4 grams per serving is best.
- Fiber and protein should be increased: When you have more of these, you will be able to feel full and not feel hungry for a long time.
Let's make delicious, wholesome granola at home?
This isn't as difficult as you might think. The best part is that we can add whatever we like, control the sugar, and customize it to our own taste.
Things needed:
- Rolled oats - 3 cups
- Nuts of your choice (cashews, almonds, walnuts) and seeds (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds) - 1 cup
- Coconut oil or olive oil - 1/4 cup
- Sweetener (honey, maple syrup) - 1/4 cup (the less the better)
- To taste (cinnamon powder, vanilla) - 1 teaspoon
- Dried fruits (raisins, dried cranberries) - 1/2 cup
How to make:
1. In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, and seeds and mix well. Do not add the dried fruit at this time.
2. Add the coconut oil, honey, and cinnamon/vanilla powder, and stir until well combined.
3. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and spread this mixture thinly on top.
4. Bake in a preheated oven at 150 Celsius (300 Fahrenheit) for 30-40 minutes. Remove from the oven every 15 minutes and turn the mixture over. This will ensure that it bakes evenly on all sides.
5. When golden brown and crispy, remove from the oven.
6. Once it is completely cooled, add the dried fruits and stir. Now you can store this in an airtight bottle for a few weeks.
Take-Home Message
- Granola is a fiber-rich, nutritious food made from oats, nuts, and dried fruits.
- However, many store-bought granolas can be high in sugar and unhealthy fats.
- If you're buying granola, always read the ingredients list and nutrition label and choose one that's low in sugar and high in fiber.
- The best and healthiest option is to make granola at home, controlling the amount of sugar and adding whatever you like.
- If you have a medical condition such as diabetes or high cholesterol, it is very important to seek advice from your doctor about your diet.
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