Breakfast: High-Fiber, High-Protein Breakfast Bars

Recipe by SavedByGrace I came up with this recipe when my doctor told me I needed to eat more fiber, and I was sick of eating store-bought protein bars for breakfast in the car between the gym and work. Ingredients such as wheat germ, flaxseed, protein p

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Cinnamon, Wheat Germ, Honey, Flax Seed

Health and fertility benefits of High-Fiber, High-Protein Breakfast Bars

Cinnamon is one of the best ingredients that someone with insulin sensitivity can eat. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to be very effective at normalizing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains hydroxychalcone, which is thought to enhance the effects of insulin. It has also been suggested that Cinnamon prevents post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing the gastric emptying rate - meaning that food digests slowly. (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11506060). Wheatgerm is a natural source of Inositol, which is often prescribed in the form of supplements for women with PCOS due to its ability to effectively reduce insulin resistance and improve insulin sensitivity. 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

cooking spray
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup ground flax seed
2 tablespoons vanilla-flavored hemp protein powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 bananas
1/4 cup peanut butter (such as Jif®)
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup natural peanut butter, or to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with aluminum foil, letting foil hang down over the sides of the pan; spray pan with cooking spray.
Stir oats, wheat germ, flax seed, protein powder, cinnamon, and salt together in a bowl. Mash bananas in a separate large bowl and stir 1/4 cup Jif(R) peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract into bananas, mixing well. Stir dry ingredients into banana mixture and spread into the prepared baking dish.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Spread 1/4 cup natural peanut butter over top.
Continue baking until lightly browned on the edges and set, 10 more minutes. Let cool in the pan and lift bars onto a work surface using aluminum foil as handles. Cut into bars, wrap in plastic wrap, and store in refrigerator.

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