With all of us back at home, spending long hours in the day working at our desk and binge-watching the latest TV dramas through the evenings, it may get difficult to keep snacking at bay. While snacking is important to help sustain energy levels throughout the day, it is essential that we pick and choose options that are not only tasty but more importantly, wholesome. And that is what granola is in a nutshell! So, we spoke to Purvi Pugalia, Co-Founder of Munchilicious Granola to understand why granola is the perfect snack and the benefits of granola.
Purvi said,
The crunchy texture of the baked oats, flavourful nuts, seeds, and overall health benefits of granola have made it a top snacking choice for me and my family. We often find new and creative ways to incorporate granola into our meals, helping us snack guilt-free.
Further, she stated the 5 top benefits of granola which are as below.
1. High Dietary Fibres
Prepared using oats and whole grains, granola is a high-fibre food that leaves you feeling full for longer. Eating fibre is also proved to reduce the rate at which your body digests sugar and carbohydrates, hence, the high fibre content in your granola could help reduce the risk of a spike in blood sugar levels.
2. Healthier Gut
High-quality grains found in granola consist of prebiotic fibre, helping maintain the level of healthy bacteria in our gut. Varieties packed with whole grains are rich in fibre and not only feed good bacteria but also help balance the digestive system.
3. Micro-Nutrient & Protein-Rich
Other than providing the body with a healthy range of micronutrients such as zinc, iron, magnesium, and vitamins to build immunity, granola also consists of a high proportion of nuts, seeds and several different dried fruits which are rich in protein, further contributing to a feeling of fullness. Coconut and chia seeds found in certain granola also make it a great source of antioxidants for the body.
4. Reduced Cholesterol
Oats, which form the basic make-up of granola, are a great source of beta-glucan—a fibre known to reduce total and bad cholesterol levels in the body. Lowering your cholesterol is vital since increased levels can lead to a higher risk of heart diseases.
5. Versatility & Convenience
One of the best parts about incorporating granola into your diet is the fun and innovative recipes that you can create around it. While granola is a great breakfast option, providing you with a boost of energy to start your day, it also makes for the ideal pick me up during your mid-day lull. As compared to other healthy breakfast options, it requires little to no preparation and can even be eaten straight out of the bag—while still tasting just as good and satisfying your hunger pangs.
Granola is an extremely versatile snack and can be enjoyed with milk, Greek yoghurt or can even be added to a smoothie bowl and relished with nuts, seeds, and seasonal fruits. More innovative preparations would include granola cookies, granola and date truffle balls, incorporating granola into your fruit salad or even using it to bake sweet tarts.
If the several nutrient-rich nuts and seeds do not help improve your mood, the fact that you stuck to your goal of leading a healthy lifestyle definitely will. Granola is the ideal snack for anyone that neither compromises on taste nor on the healthy quotient of their meal. Hence, the next time you are in need of a snack, reach for a bag of healthy yet delicious granola and munch guilt-free.
Join Malini’s Girl Tribe to be a part of the conversation.