Breakfast: A Better Granola

Recipe by Jenny Rosenstrach Using an egg white adds crunch without calories.

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Cinnamon, Sesame Seeds, Cranberries, Nuts, Agave, Walnuts

Health and fertility benefits of A Better Granola

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). Sesame seeds help with progesterone balance. Lignans found in in sesame seeds help to prevent excess estrogen production. 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. Nuts are a natural source of Inositol, a derivative of Vitamin B (which is often prescribed in the form of supplements for women with PCOS). Inositol can effectively control the symptoms of PCOS by reducing insulin resistance and improving insulin sensitivity. Agave has a low glycemic index (GI) of 17. Walnuts are low on the glycemic index. What’s more, they also lower the glycemic index of other foods that you eat in conjunction with these nuts. Any kind of nuts provide a healthy source of fat and a great way to encourage PCOS weight loss.

Ingredients

1 large egg white
3 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups chopped nuts (such as almonds, pistachios, pecans, or walnuts)
1 1/2 cups coconut shavings
1/2 cup agave syrup
1/4 cup olive oil or warmed coconut oil
1/4 cup sesame seeds
2 tablespoons (packed) light brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup dried cherries or cranberries
Ingredient info: Coconut shavings (chips) are strips of unsweetened coconut and are available at many natural foods stores and some supermarkets.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 300 °F. Combine 1 large beaten egg white, 3 cups old-fashioned oats, 1 1/2 cups chopped nuts (such as almonds, pistachios, pecans, or walnuts), 1 1/2 cups coconut shavings, 1/2 cup agave syrup, 1/4 cup olive oil or warmed coconut oil, 1/4 cup sesame seeds, 2 tablespoons (packed) light brown sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon in a large bowl; toss to combine. Spread out on a rimmed baking sheet.
Bake granola, stirring every 10 minutes, until golden brown and dry, 40-45 minutes. Let cool on baking sheet (it will crisp as it cools).
Mix in 1 cup dried cherries or cranberries.
DO AHEAD: Granola can be made 2 weeks ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

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