One of my goals has been to cut back on processed foods, in particular, those with a ton of sugar and unnecessary additives – such as cereals, bars and store-bough granola. Why? Because I’d say it’s the #1 factor hurting our digestive (and overall) health.
And while before, the thought of making my own “healthy treats” sounded way too time consuming and complicated, once I tried it, I realized how easy (and fun) it is. I make a large batch of my granola and/or my granola bars once every few weeks and freeze them. That way I have a healthy treat on hand for when I’m craving a bit of sweetness and crunch to add to any breakfast or as a snack.
I promise you, its way easier than you think, and really doesnt take much time. Plus, you'll love it!
So let me share with you my home-made recipes for my "superfood" Granola and Granola bars.
Note: I like to soak my nuts and seeds before, as its way better for your health. Why? Because all grains, legumes, nuts and seeds have a protective layer that contains phytic-acid, which we humans cannot break-down. And unfortunately this phytic acid stops us from being able to fully absorp the nutrients in our food…which trust me, is important and can lead to issues if you’re eating a lot of these foods with phytic acid. So the easiest solution is always soaking your nuts and seeds, and then you can dry them (using the oven at low temperature or a dehydrator).
Here are my favorite, super nutritious homemade granola and granola bar recipes – both of which are gluten-free, diary-free, contain no added sugar (are sweetened with raw honey or 100% maple syrup and dates), and nutrient-packed to help you with your health journey!
My No-Bake Superfood Granola Bars
Note: As mentioned earlier, if you want an even healthier, more “gut-friendly” granola, I recommend soaking your nuts and some of your seeds the day before. This helps to remove the “phytic acid” or protective coating of nuts and seeds that can inhibit nutrient absorption. Just place your nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts) and pumpkin seeds and hemp seeds each in separate glass jars covered with filtered water with a pinch of sea salt, and leave to soak overnight (or about 8-10 hours). Rinse the nuts and seeds and dry well with paper towels. Continue to dry them further using a dehydrator or lowest oven temperature (150-175 F) for at least 6-8 hours.
As for your chia and flax seeds, you can also soak them overnight, but use just a few tablespoons of filtered water, just enough to cover them. The chia and flax will absorb the water overnight, so you won’t be draining these. They’ll get a goey texture, but you can mix them like this when preparing your granola.
Now try these recipes and tell me what you think! Just take an hour (or less) one evening to prep your granola bars and/or baked granola, and you'll have an awesome and delicious healthy snack for days that will fill you with nutrition, without the added sugar and preservatives that harm your gut (and overall health)!