As the air starts to chill, healthy hearty breakfasts that get my family through to lunch are essential. My Homemade Heart Healthy Granola recipe is so satisfyingly delicious that my family doesn’t realize how good it is for them! Whole oats have important vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, plus studies show that oats and oatmeal have many health benefits. Oats contain large amounts of beta-glucan, a type of soluble fiber. Beta-glucan has been shown to reduce LDL and total cholesterol levels.
Another great way to reduce LDL cholesterol is with Nature Made® CholestOff ®Plus. Nature Made® CholestOff ®Plus complements this heart-healthy breakfast because like the oatmeal, it is clinically proven to lower cholesterol. Products containing at least 400 mg per serving of plant sterols and Stanols, eaten twice a day with meals for a daily intake of at least 800 mg as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.One serving of CholestOff® Plus supplies 900 mg of plant sterols and stanols per serving for a daily intake of 1800 mg.
Homemade granola is not only healthier if you make it yourself (less sugar and no fillers), but it’s also very cost effective too! I also like to add nuts and seeds to my granola for extra crunch and added health benefits. High-Fiber superfoods like flax and chia seeds have Omega-3 essential fatty acids. These are “good” fats that have been shown to have heart-healthy effects.
You Will Need:
- 2 cups raw, whole rolled oats (do NOT buy quick or instant oats!)
- ½ cup raw sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1/4 cup golden flax seeds
- 1 cup dried unsweetened flaked coconut
- 3 tablespoons raw honey
- 2- 3 tablespoons coconut oil or olive oil ( I prefer coconut oil because it has a lighter taste)
How To Prepare:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl.
Stir in melted coconut oil (if not in a liquid state) and 2 tablespoons of honey.
Mix well until the wet ingredients are well-incorporated.
Lay out on a lightly greased cookie pan in a thin layer.
Sprinkle a pinch of salt & drizzle remaining tablespoon of honey on top.
Bake at 300 degrees for 12 minutes.
Remove from oven and let cool on oven or rack.
Serve with fresh fruit and yogurt and enjoy!
Nature Made® CholestOff ®Plus helps reduce the amount of dietary cholesterol absorbed into the bloodstream. † Best of all, colors are derived from natural sources – No Synthetic Dyes. No Artificial Flavors, No Preservatives, No Yeast or Starch, Gluten Free
Store cool granola in an airtight container and it will stay fresh all week long, although my family always eats it up within a couple of days. (It’s ok to double this recipe!)
† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw, whole rolled oats (do NOT buy quick or instant oats!)
- ½ cup raw sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1/4 cup golden flax seeds
- 1 cup dried unsweetened flaked coconut
- 3 tablespoons raw honey
- 2- 3 tablespoons coconut oil or olive oil ( I prefer coconut oil because it has a lighter taste)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
- Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl.
- Stir in melted coconut oil (if not in a liquid state) and 2 tablespoons of honey.
- Mix well until the wet ingredients are well-incorporated.
- Lay out on a lightly greased cookie pan in a thin layer.
- Sprinkle a pinch of salt & drizzle remaining tablespoon of honey on top.
- Bake at 300 degrees for 12 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool on oven or rack.
- Serve with fresh fruit and yogurt and enjoy!
