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Why granola even if organic is not a healthy choice nutritionally or for the gut microbiome. Making your own is not even a healthy choice!
Is granola healthy to eat? Are brands from the store that are organic and/or sprouted acceptable?
What about homemade granola?
Sadly, the answer to all three of these questions is a resounding NO!
Even so-called “traditional granola” recipes, where soaked organic oats (or sprouted) are used before toasting in the oven, are not in the least bit digestible.
While soaking or sprouting oats before making granola is a big improvement, the fact is that digestive damage is still going to occur if you eat it. This preparation method is not traditional in the slightest.
Many granola fans do not seem to know that oats, even if sprouted or soaked first, are still not properly prepared in a traditional manner.
Thus, the proteins in the oats remain in a form that is extremely difficult to break down in the digestive tract.
Difficult-to-digest food that is not metabolized completely leaves undigested residues in the gut that cause pathogens to thrive.
This is why some people “crave” granola…it’s an addictive food like sugar that feeds gut pathogens.
Over time, pathogen overgrowth in the gut leads to a disrupted microbiome and eventually digestive symptoms.
The high potential of improperly prepared grains to harm health…with granola being perhaps the most prominent modern example…is why traditional societies took such great pains to soak, sprout, or ferment (sour leaven) them.
Here’s the last piece many folks seem to miss…
Not only did traditional peoples soak, sprout, or sour leaven their grains. They also thoroughly cooked them as the final preparation step before eating!
In other words, toasting sprouted or soaked oats in the oven does not fully deactivate the anti-nutrients.
Let’s explore this important precept of traditional diet in more detail below.
Why Granola is SO Difficult to Digest
The dry heat of an oven at the proper toasting temperature is simply not hot enough to complete the breakdown of anti-nutrients in oats or other grains.
Thus, even homemade granola is extremely difficult to digest. Eaten often, it can damage the gut over time.
Perhaps if a person has an iron gut, then homemade granola that is soaked or sprouted but not fully cooked might work on occasion.
The reality is that most people have sensitive guts today. This is a generational decline in health that is the result of several generations of children raised on antibiotics and processed foods.
Most people have some sort of digestive sensitivity to grains, even if there are no grain allergy symptoms present.
I know for me, I bloat terribly if I eat homemade granola that has been soaked or sprouted and then toasted.
Interestingly, thoroughly cooked unsoaked oatmeal digests far better.
The lesson to me is that the final cooking step for sprouted grains is very important!
Healthy Alternatives
The good news is that when you ditch granola, there are other options to consider that are very tasty and no more difficult to prepare.
In my home, I make these healthy breakfast cereal recipes instead of granola. Several of them provide that lovely crunch that is so yummy in milk for breakfast.
Another alternative is to make grain free granola that uses soaked nuts, fruits, and soaked seeds instead of grains as the primary ingredient.
Sources and More Information
Nourishing Traditions, p. 454
How and why Grains may not be the best choice for us humans.
Maybe you’d like to try Quinoa instead with dinner?… http://t.co/i4lrMB50
I make nut granola with soaked and then dehydrated walnuts, pecans and almonds, maple syrup, soaked pumpkin seeds, raisens, cinammon and dried cranberries YUMMY!
I think you could find an article saying that everything we could possibly consume is unhealthy. I still believe it’s a great alternative to store bought cereal and done on occasion, I don’t quite see how it could harm you. When we travel, i make this and my kids think its a special treat. Most things, when done excessively and not in balance are rarely tolerated well.
To soak or not to soak, this is my question. I’ve all but given up on this. I AM sensitive to gluten, but I’m constantly finding contrasting articles from bloggers I respect. I also respect their resources. Soaking is easier to digest. Soaking increases the gluten, avoid grain to help prevent cancer, blah, blah , blah. I wish I had cold hard facts on this particular food item.
Observe how you tolerate it when you eat it. Observation never lies …. I know soaking works as I see how I bloat and feel uncomfortable when I eat grains that aren’t soaked. There are always caveats to be aware of kind of like soaking beans where some types you use baking soda and others where you use cider vinegar (with filtered water).
Don’t get frustrated. Just keep learning and adjusting your approach as you go. Nothing remains static .. we are always learning and moving forward.
is the healthyhomeeconomist going paleo?
@ Lorri – granola is called muesli here.
Here you go. http://girlgoneprimal.blogspot.com/2010/02/recipe-grain-free-granola-nola-final.html Note that ALL seeds and nuts should be soaked overnight. That’s not covered in this recipe.
I understand about the less absorption, etc… But I kinda’ figure if homemade granola is the worst we do (for occasional snacks and breakfasts) then we are doing pretty well.
I understand about the less absorption, etc… But I kinda’ figure if homemade granola is the worst we do (for occasional snacks and breakfasts) then we are doing pretty well.
Wondering about the Pickl-It recipe/process mentioned above. Because of the technology of the jar, the granola can ferment without getting any mold or so it allows for a long ferment period. Would this be sufficient, possibly?
I’ve had the opportunity to taste this Pickl-it recipe, though not enough to know if it would cause issues for me. The person who made it doubled the spices, which was good. It is not a sweet granola.
Try it and see Zusa. If your digestion is in tip top shape, you can perhaps handle it occasionally. I wouldn’t make it a daily thing though.