Before you reach for that cereal bar, read the ingredients
These granola bars are made with just five ingredients (oats, cashew nuts, dates, peanut butter and honey), and are perfect after school when the wrong food choices could easily be made. PHOTO| FILE
What you need to know:
Today, I want to talk about the cereal bar. Most look quite healthy, and since they are made using whole grains, we assume that they make not only a healthy, but also filling snack.
The problem with some of these cereal bars however, is that they contain too much sugar. One that I saw contained 35 per cent sugar.
This means that each 29 grams of a supposedly natural bar, contained 10 grams of sugar, or two teaspoons to be precise. Hardly what I would call healthy.
Since you are reading this column, I assume that your health is important to you. If it is, you probably try to make healthier choices when out shopping.
Shopping for healthy breakfast is tricky, especially if shopping for cereal.
As I have said time and again, there is nothing healthy about sugary, multi-coloured breakfast cereals, yet they fill supermarket shelves. If you are unable to find suitable cereal for breakfast, worry not. Oat porridge with fruit, boiled egg on wholemeal toast or even sweet potatoes, are quite healthy. You do not need to spend more on something in a colourful packet, yet it will not do you any good.
LET’S TALK ABOUT THE CEREAL BAR
Today, I want to talk about the cereal bar. Most look quite healthy, and since they are made using whole grains, we assume that they make not only a healthy, but also filling snack.
The problem with some of these cereal bars however, is that they contain too much sugar. One that I saw contained 35 per cent sugar.
This means that each 29 grams of a supposedly natural bar, contained 10 grams of sugar, or two teaspoons to be precise. Hardly what I would call healthy.
THE GOOD NEWS
The good news is that you can make your own. It takes time, but you will be sure that what you and your family eat is healthy, free from harmful additives and artificial flavourings.
Also, if you double (or even triple) the recipe, you can make a big bunch that you can store in the fridge for a couple of weeks.
These granola bars are made with just five ingredients (oats, cashew nuts, dates, peanut butter and honey), and are perfect after school when the wrong food choices could easily be made.
Since they are wheat and dairy-free, they are also suitable for those on restricted diets.
No-nonsense, balanced, delicious, exactly what the nutritionist ordered.
SONA’S GRANOLA BARS
• 1 packed cup squidgy dates, chopped
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup peanut butter or tahini (sesame seed paste)
• 1 cup cashew nuts, roughly chopped
• 1 1/2 cups oats
1. Toast oats and cashew nuts in a 175 degree oven for about 15 minutes, until slightly golden brown.
2. Place the oats, cashew nuts and dates in a bowl and set aside.
3. Warm honey and peanut butter/tahini in a small saucepan over low heat.
4. Pour into the bowl with the oats and mix thoroughly.
5. Transfer to a lined 8 x 8 dish and press down for at least a minute. This bit is absolutely crucial, otherwise your bars will fall apart.
6. Leave to set in the fridge for 15-20 minutes to harden, before chopping into 10 bars.
7. Store in an airtight container and eat within a couple of days.
SONA’S GRANOLA BARS
• 1 packed cup squidgy dates, chopped
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup peanut butter or tahini (sesame seed paste)
• 1 cup cashew nuts, roughly chopped
• 1 1/2 cups oats
