Why does every single granola today have to be loaded with sugar as well? Here people are, thinking they are being “healthy” by having yogurt and granola, yet they are eating flavored yogurt with tons of sugar, and adding granola with tons of sugar. Sugar overload without even knowing it?? I think so.
This sugar detox I have been on this last month has really opened my eyes. There really is so much added sugar in almost everything these days! I am constantly having to read labels throughout this detox for fear of buying and eating something with sugar; even products you would never guess had sugar! I couldn’t even find a no sugar granola at the grocery store.
That is why I decided to make my own granola.
Pumpkin Peanut Butter- No Sugar Granola, to be exact!
And what better way to make it than a pumpkin and peanut butter flavor, my two favorite things? Well, actually I could name a few more things to squeeze on that list, but those are certainly two of them 🙂
No, this granola isn’t super sweet like the store-bought stuff you are normally use to, as it has no sugar; but it is quite good! And without the super sweet taste, it won’t spike your blood sugar levels and lead to overeating! My mom even liked it better than the one she was eating prior to this.
It is loaded with many of my favorite seeds: hemp, flax, and pumpkin seeds! Which leads me to why I had to hold out on sharing this recipe for a little bit. This is my first month being a part of Recipe Redux, which is an awesome community of healthy living bloggers that strive to create more nutritious recipes. Each month, we get a theme that we must make a recipe according to. Can you guess this month’s theme?! You got it, SEEDS! “Sowing Seeds” to be exact 🙂 I knew I had been wanting to make a healthy no sugar granola for awhile when starting my sugar detox, so this was a perfect opportunity to do just that. I hope you enjoy, I know I did- mine only lasted a couple days!
Pumpkin Peanut Butter No Sugar Granola
-1 cup oats
-1/2 cup hemp seeds
-1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
-1/2 cup currants
-1/4 cup mashed ripe banana
-1/4 cup pumpkin
-3T ground flaxseed
-2T peanut butter
-1T coconut oil
-1 tsp each: vanilla extract, cinnamon
-1/2 tsp sea salt
optional: 1/4 cup cacao nibs, or 2T of honey if wanting a sweeter granola
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all seeds, oats, and currants, cinnamon, sea salt, and cacao nibs (if using) in a bowl. In small bowl, combine mashed banana, pumpkin, oil, extract, and peanut butter. Mix in wet ingredients into dry ingredients. (if too dry, add more pumpkin or oil, if too wet, add a touch of flaxseed). Mixture should be crumbly but sticky. Place on non-stick cookie sheet (can place on aluminum foil on sheet to prevent mess if desired). Bake in oven for 10 minutes. Take out and toss mixture around, bake for another 10 minutes. Check: if browned, it is done and you can take out; if not crispy yet, bake for 5 minute intervals, watching closely, as it burns very easily! Take out and let cool on tray. Enjoy!
Hemp Seed Benefits:
1)High Protein (and very digestible protein)
2)Contains all 20 amino acids (including the 9 essential amino acids our bodies can’t produce)
3)High Fatty Acids and Fiber amounts
4)Contains vitamin E and trace minerals
5)Perfect 3:1 ratop of Omega-6 Linoleic Acid and Omega-3 Linolenic Acid
6)Rich source of phytonutrients
7) Richest known source of polyunsaturated essential fatty acids
Flaxseed Benefits
1)High in fiber, both soluble and insoluble
2)Contains all 9 of the essential amino acids your body cannot make
3)Contains lignans, which have both plant estrogen and antioxidant qualities
4)Rich in Omega-3 essential fatty acids
5)May reduce inflammation
Pumpkin Seed Benefits
1)Filled with minerals including: phosphorous, magnesium, manganese, iron, and copper
2)Contains phytosterols, compounds that have shown to reduce cholesterol
3)Contains L-tryptophan, which help with good sleep and lowering depression
4)High in zinc, serving as a natural protector against osteoporosis
5)Good Source of vitamin E
6)Most alkaline-forming seed
7)Excellent source of vitamin B group
8)Contains good quality protein
9)Reduces inflammation without side effects of drugs
10)Good for prostate health