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Navigating the breakfast food aisle in the supermarket can be a bit challenging when you’re trying to eat healthy. We all know to stay away from Coco Pops, but what about the ‘healthier’ options that you can find in that same aisle, or even the health food section? The granolas and mueslis look alright with their attractive brown paper packaging, health claims in big bold print, and images of fields and nature on the box. Don’t be fooled!

I’m not going to name and shame here, but if you check the ingredients and nutritional panel, these products are far from ideal. Added colours and flavours which are often hidden under clever more natural names. Not to mention the added sugar disguised with a name like evaporated cane juice. You can find more names for hidden sugars in this blogpost.

Sugar

Check the sugars of the nutritional panel of your granola. When it contains 10 grams of sugar per serving, it’s not a healthy start of your day. Especially when you consider that it’s just the cereal, you haven’t even added your milk, yogurt, or any other toppings yet. It’ll end up as having a dessert for breakfast.

The World Health Organisation recommends limiting your added sugars to 25 grams a day. With a breakfast like this, you’ll be sitting at half your daily limit already, and your day has only just started.

DIY

You can do better than this! Just make your own healthy homemade granola. I know you’re busy, so let’s keep things easy with the easy recipe below. It only takes 5 minutes to prepare this granola, and you’ll end up with 11 servings. That’s 11 breakfasts sorted!

Making your own healthy homemade granola is cheaper and also better. You’re in control of what is going into your granola, and you can make it an incredibly nourishing breakfast. If you make a big batch you won’t be losing much on convenience either. Granola is super easy to make. If you start your day right, it’ll leave some flexibility in your meals for the rest of the day.

As a big cinnamon junkie, I’m currently loving this granola. Get creative though, play with the ingredients and make it your own. Add other spices you like, and swap nuts and seeds.

This healthy homemade granola is Paleo, vegan, sugar-free, gluten-free, and incredibly nourishing. It contains healthy fats, omega3, protein, fibre and lots of nutrients.

The health benefits per ingredient:

Almonds

Almonds are high in antioxidants that can protect your cells from oxidative damage, a major contributor to aging and disease. They’re a good source of fibre, protein, and healthy monounsaturated fats. Almonds are also high in vitamin E, manganese, and magnesium.

Brazil Nuts

Brazil Nuts are high in selenium. One nut can contain 175% of the RDI. Selenium is an essential trace element that is vital for your immune system, thyroid gland, and cell growth. These nuts have high concentrations of magnesium, copper, and zinc and are an excellent source of healthy fats.

Walnuts

Walnuts are an excellent source of antioxidants that can help fight oxidative damage in your body. They’re high in omega3 and support good brain function. Eating walnuts nourishes the beneficial bacteria that live in your gut. This promotes the health of your gut and may help reduce disease risk.

Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin Seeds or Pepitas are rich in antioxidants, iron, zinc, and magnesium. Healthy magnesium levels are important for your blood pressure, blood sugar levels, as well as heart and bone health.

Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds are a great source of several nutrients, including vitamin E and selenium. They contain beneficial plant compounds that can help prevent inflammation and chronic diseases. 

Coconut Flakes

Coconut Flakes contain a variety of minerals, including manganese, copper, selenium, phosphorus, potassium, and iron. They’re high in fibre and high in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are a saturated fat. MCT’s are absorbed intact in your small intestine and used by your body to produce energy.

Linseed Meal

Linseeds are a rich source of the omega-3 fatty acid ALA. Plant-based ALA fatty acids are proven to have heart health benefits and are linked to a lower risk of stroke. Linseeds are high in fibre, adding them to your diet can improve your digestive health.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon contains large amounts of highly potent polyphenol antioxidants. These antioxidants have anti-inflammatory effects, which may help lower your risk of disease. Cinnamon can also lower your blood sugar levels and increase your sensitivity to insulin.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is high in healthy fats which boost fat burning, and provide your body and brain with quick energy. These fats also raise the good HDL cholesterol in your blood, which is linked to reduced heart disease risk.

Recipe – Healthy Homemade Granola

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For some quick, healthy and easy breakfast recipes, click here. 

Enjoy!