Granola Bowl

Granola Bowl! This granola bowl is so easy and quick it is ridiculous!!!! It’s a great way to have a nutritious start to the day with berries, yoghurt and granola of your choice. Try to use a low sugar granola if  you can and you can always make your own with nuts, dried fruit, rolled oats and bran. I love raspberries so included them here,  but blueberries, strawberries or another fruit would work equally well. After trying this you’ll see that a healthy start to the day is only a minute away! 

Raspberry Health Benefits

Raspberries are an excellent low-calorie nutrient-dense food. They are great for those with a ‘sweet tooth’ who wish to improve their diet without adding in lots of ‘sweet’ calories. 

Raspberries are full of flavonoids which give them their colour and are powerful antioxidants protecting the body from pollutants. 

They contain ellagic acid which is a cancer-fighting compound as it protects against damage to chromosomes. It also blocks the cancer-causing actions of many pollutants such as the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found in cigarette smoke and toxic chemicals such as benzopyrene. 

Chia Seed Health Benefits

Chia seeds are small but pack a punch in the nutrients stakes! A staple in the Aztec and Maya diets they have been praised for their health benefits for years. They are versatile and can be used in many recipes – often added to a liquid to make a chia pudding. A single-serve is about 2 tablespoons.

Chia seeds are an excellent source of antioxidants. These antioxidants protect the chia seeds from going off and also help when eaten by neutralising free radicals which can damage cells in the body. The specific antioxidants in chia seeds have protective effects on the heart, liver and general anti-cancer properties.

For example, chia seeds contain chlorogenic acid which may help lower blood pressure and caffeic acid which has anti-inflammatory effects.

Oat Health Benefits

A staple ingredient of granola oats is amongst the healthiest grains there are. Gluten-free and a great source of many vitamins and minerals. Health benefits include weight loss, lower blood sugar levels and a reduced risk of heart disease.

Oats are rich in antioxidants and the plant compounds of polyphenols. Avenanthramides are only found in oats and help lower blood pressure levels by increasing the production of nitric oxide. It helps to dilate blood vessels and leads to better blood flow. They also have anti-inflammatory and anti-itching effects.

Oats contain a soluble fibre called beta-glucan which dissolves in water to form a thick, gel-like solution in the gut. The health benefits of beta-glucan are reduced cholesterol levels and reduced blood sugar and insulin. It also provides a feeling of feeling fuller for longer and can support the increased growth of good bacteria in the digestive tract.

Beta-glucan may increase the excretion of cholesterol-rich bile which reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood. Oxidation of the bad cholesterol occurs when it reacts with free radicals which can cause heart disease. Therefore substances which can reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood are great to eat.

This granola bowl is quick and simple – a great start to the day that may become a favourite!

And If You Like This, You May Also Like

Yoghurt Crunch