Snack: Fruit and Seed Bars

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Sunflower Seeds, Cranberries, Honey, Flax Seed

Health and fertility benefits of Fruit and Seed Bars

Sunflower seeds are an excellent food for PCOS as they are packed with vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). Just one cup of sunflower seeds provides 30% of the recommended daily intake for vitamin B6. Sunflower seeds are also loaded with two other important of PCOS busting minerals: zinc and magnesium. Researchers believe that cranberries contain substances that prevent infection-causing bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract walls. However, store-bought cranberry juice is typically all sugar - so make sure to stick with straight cranberries. One tbsp of honey has a glycemic index (GI) of 55. Flaxseed can be used to combat PCOS as it helps decrease androgen levels. It contains lignans that increase the production of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) that binds testosterone in the blood, thereby preventing it from wreaking havoc in the body. Being high in fiber, flaxseed helps slow down glucose metabolism and lower cholesterol levels. The omega-3 fatty acids in this flaxseed also reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease.

Ingredients

1 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds (also known as pepitas)
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
2 tablespoons flax seeds
1 cup dried fruit (blueberries, raisins, currants, cranberries and/or cherries)
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup sunflower butter

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
In a food processor, pulse the first 6 ingredients until finely chopped (it's ok if there are few coarsely chopped pieces).
Add the honey and sunflower and pulse until starting to combine.
Pour the mixture into a 9 x 9 inch pan, greased then line with parchment and press down into the pan until completely even.
Bake for 25 minutes.
Let the bars completely cool before cutting with a serrated knife into bars.
Serve.

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