Breakfast cereals are notorious for tasting good but not being particularly healthy. Even mixtures of essentially wholesome ingredients can be full of sugars, fats, and calories. Simply grabbing a commercial low fat granola off the grocery shelf may not help if your goal is to lose weight. You need to read labels and evaluate different foods if you are to get a really good-for-you granola.
Whole grains are on every 'healthy eating' list. However, they should be non-GMO and organically grown to be really beneficial. Rolled oats, the foundation of most cereal mixes, are not modified at present. Other grains might be added, including barley or quinoa flakes, wheat, or corn. This makes a good protein and fiber base for starting the day.
Most grains are not too high in fat. However, they are not all that tasty on their own. Toasting helps bring out the flavor and makes them crunchy, too. Fruit, nuts, seeds, and spices like cinnamon and vanilla are often added for flavor and sweetness. It's important to choose these additions wisely, in order to get the most nutrition without piling on 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.
Fats are now recognized as important parts of a good diet, although too much of a good thing becomes a negative. Most granolas contain added oils, which enhance the toasting process and improve flavor and texture. Here you need to be careful. Canola and soy oils, unless certified organic, will be genetically modified. All hydrogenated fats should be avoided.
It may be best to make your own cereal, which is actually easy to do. Consider what you like, research the health benefits, and include sensible amounts of dried fruit (high calorie!) and nuts. Seeds are not much of a concern. If you want to lower the fat and calorie count of each serving, add bran to the mix. Wheat, oat, and rice bran are all good sources of fiber and won't add many calories. Create a mix, add spices to taste, sweeten with stevia or the equivalent, toss with a heat-stable, organic oil like coconut, and bake on shallow pans for about forty minutes at 300 degrees or until lightly browned and crunchy.
Whole grains are on every 'healthy eating' list. However, they should be non-GMO and organically grown to be really beneficial. Rolled oats, the foundation of most cereal mixes, are not modified at present. Other grains might be added, including barley or quinoa flakes, wheat, or corn. This makes a good protein and fiber base for starting the day.
Most grains are not too high in fat. However, they are not all that tasty on their own. Toasting helps bring out the flavor and makes them crunchy, too. Fruit, nuts, seeds, and spices like cinnamon and vanilla are often added for flavor and sweetness. It's important to choose these additions wisely, in order to get the most nutrition without piling on 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.
Fats are now recognized as important parts of a good diet, although too much of a good thing becomes a negative. Most granolas contain added oils, which enhance the toasting process and improve flavor and texture. Here you need to be careful. Canola and soy oils, unless certified organic, will be genetically modified. All hydrogenated fats should be avoided.
It may be best to make your own cereal, which is actually easy to do. Consider what you like, research the health benefits, and include sensible amounts of dried fruit (high calorie!) and nuts. Seeds are not much of a concern. If you want to lower the fat and calorie count of each serving, add bran to the mix. Wheat, oat, and rice bran are all good sources of fiber and won't add many calories. Create a mix, add spices to taste, sweeten with stevia or the equivalent, toss with a heat-stable, organic oil like coconut, and bake on shallow pans for about forty minutes at 300 degrees or until lightly browned and crunchy.
About the Author:
Enjoy the delicious taste of low fat granola by getting the recipe directly from our website. If you don't want to miss out on our latest posts, visit this web page now on http://upfrontfoods.com/recipes.