Monday, April 17, 2017

The Best Low Fat Granola

By Scott Ellis


Granola is a great way to start the day, but it can be both fattening and less than healthy. By checking the labels, you will see that some fruit, nut, and grain mixes are way high in sugars and calories. Low fat granola can be higher in both than some kids' cereals. It may take a little effort to get the perfect breakfast cereal mix for good nutrition and weight control.

Whole grains are good for you if they are non-GMO, organically grown, and fresh. Most granolas start with rolled oats. You can find ones with other grains, like quinoa, barley, wheat, or corn. Any whole grain will be rich in carbs but also a good source of fiber. Fiber is an important nutrient, providing bulk in your diet and helping to fill you up without adding a lot of calories.

Grains are not especially high in fat content, but they are also not very palatable eaten alone. That's why granola and muesli are so popular. Dried or fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, and spices add texture and flavor. The right combination of additives can make a great cereal without adding too many calories.

Fat itself is not the enemy. In fact, many of the fats found in nuts and seeds are essential nutrients which may be in short supply in many diets. Modern dieting plans often stress that it's carbs, not fats, that are the real problem. It's possible to choose nuts that are good sources for essential fatty acids but relatively low calorie, if you want the best of both worlds.

Almonds, walnuts, and pecans are so healthy they are worth eating. Macadamia nuts are very high in fats, but these are fats that are easily burned for energy rather than stored in the body. Cashews and pistachios are high-calorie nuts, as are Brazil nuts. Brazil nuts, however, are considered a great source of selenium, a trace mineral that's hard to get elsewhere.

Seeds also contain fatty acids that are important to well-being. Chia, flax, and walnuts are high in Omega-3s, the kind of fats also found in fish. Chia and flax boost fiber. Fiber helps control weight by adding bulk to the diet, which speeds digestion and makes you feel full faster. That way you eat less.

For this reason, it's good to include the most valuable foods in the breakfast mix. Dried fruit, for example, may not have much fat at all, but it's calorie dense since it's extremely high in sugar. This makes it taste great, but a little goes a long way when you're counting calories. Just a sprinkle of raisins or chopped dates will add flavor, balance the pH value of the food, and add important minerals.

Do the research and know what you want in a cereal. You may even want to buy ingredients and make your own; that way you know it will be fresh and contain nothing you don't want. Adding bran - wheat, oat, or rice - is one way to have more in your bowl but less of both fat and calories. It's easy to make a great mix. Just assemble, toss with a high-heat oil like coconut, and bake (stirring occasionally) at 300 degrees for about forty minutes until crisp and browned.




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