tuesday tip: Easy Coconut Pecan Granola

This homemade healthy Coconut Pecan Granola is made with Pecans, unsweetened coconut and sweetened with maple syrup. It’s a great alternative to the store bought version AND healthier for you!

In theory eating granola seems like a great ‘healthy’ move! It’s loaded with oats, nuts, good oils packed with omega 3 fatty acids etc…but in reality, finding a good store bought granola that is ACTUALLY good for you is quite difficult.

Most are loaded with uneeded sugar and preservatives. Thereby turning your healthy snack into a not so healthy snack.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF EATING GRANOLA?

Well, if you can choose the right kind of granola with the least amount of sugar AND control your portions [tricky when this food is so dense that it is quite easy to just shovel in more and more scoopfuls], then granola is a great snack option!

It’s filled with great fiber, healthy fat and good protein! All of these lending to you feeling fuller for longer, meaning that you just might eat less overall!

And as an added bonus, eating nuts and good sources of whole grains, can have a positive effect on blood glucose levels and insulin resistance.

According to Women’s Magazine, it is possible to choose a healthy option on the shelves. One’s with whole ingredients and lower sugar.

However, if you have all the ingredients to MAKE your own then by all means! That would be ideal.

This granola recipe is so easy and simple that with the combined whole food ingredients, you won’t ever have to buy store bought granola again!

INGREDIENTS:

• Whole grain oats
• Cracked oats
  • I was reading My Fitness Pal blog post and it spoke about the imortance of eating the RIGHT kind of carbs from the RIGHT sources.
  • It stated that eating OATMEAL is high in fiber, a great source of carbohydrates, vitamins and nutrients, too. Enjoying a granola made with oatmeal as a post-workout meal helps your body rebuild, and eating it before a busy day gives you the fuel you need to power through.
  • You can use all whole grain oats if you don’t have any cracked oats. I found mine at Costco and I LOVE them.

• Maple Syrup
• Coconut
  • Because we are in Hawaii, we have access to fresh coconut!! It is so delicious. So, if you have access to a machete, a coconut and the desire…then you won’t regret adding fresh coconut in your granola.
  • If not, no biggie, just use a store bought brand. Just make sure it is unsweetened. After all, you are going for DECREASING sugar. And nothing says, “hiding sugar amount” like dried coconut that is sweetened:)
• Cinnamon
  • I add 2 tsp of cinnamon because I think it acts as a sweetener so you don’t need to add as much in the recipe itself.
• Vanilla
• Sea salt
• Pecans
• Almonds
  • Could sub any other kind of nut that you have. I think almonds are mild and add a good crunch and good nutritional value.

BAKE

• Spread out your granola depending on the chunkiness you desire.
  • For confetti granola, spread thin.
  • For chunky, pack a little thicker, and then DON’T stir during the process. When your granola is cool, take out and let cool completely and you will have chunky granola! Voila!

ENJOY!

if your not feelin this recipe—I get it. For other granola options check out my 30 min vanilla almond chia see granola OR my Healthy Nutty Granola [made with coconut oil]

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