Gingerbread Granola | Foodfacts.com

Most Foodfacts.com members and blog readers know that a healthy diet is an important weapon in the fight against disease. Often, the holidays are a time of overindulgences, stressors, and hurried schedules that can challenge healthy eating. Committed to encouraging healthful dietary choices, Texas Oncology adds another good-for-you holiday recipe to its easy-to-make, nutritious holiday collection – Gingerbread Granola. Low in sodium and high in fiber, Gingerbread Granola is packed with healthy ingredients like flax seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, golden raisins, and dried apricots, making it a delicious and nutritious way to celebrate the season.

Nearly a third of cancer deaths in 2010 could be prevented because they are related to poor nutrition, obesity, and physical inactivity, according to the American Cancer Society. The organization also states: “There is strong scientific evidence that healthy dietary patterns, in combination with regular physical activity, are needed to maintain a healthy body weight and to reduce cancer risk.”

“Nutrition plays a major role in promoting good health,” said Dr. Arvind Bhandari, medical oncologist at Texas Oncology-Sugar Land. “A healthy lifestyle and proper dietary habits can lower the risk of disease and contribute to overall well-being.”

Packed with Nutrition

Gingerbread Granola served as a snack, sprinkled over yogurt, or with milk brings together the satisfying tastes of nostalgic comfort food and healthful ingredients. Flax seeds, loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, add an earthy, subtle nut flavor, while sunflower seeds are a good source of healthy unsaturated fats.

High-protein almonds supply magnesium and Vitamin E. Dried apricots, with their rich, sweetly tart taste and vibrant color, are a good source of potassium and beta carotene, which may reduce risk for some types of cancers of the lungs and mouth. Golden raisins, a great source of energy, provide texture, color, fiber, and potassium.

Good for Gifts, Good for You

Gingerbread Granola serves as a reminder that maintaining good nutrition during the holidays and beyond helps promote overall health.
Whether served by the hearth, around the tree with family, or as a special gift, Gingerbread Granola is sure to become a holiday favorite.

Not only is Gingerbread Granola full of healthy ingredients, it is also versatile:

* Combine it with milk for a healthy start to the morning.
* Sprinkle it over yogurt with fresh fruit.
* Put it on top of ice cream for a sweet treat.
* Serve it as a nutritious afternoon snack.
* For seasonal color, add dried cherries, which are rich in Vitamin C.
* Sweeten it up with bits of dark chocolate for antioxidant power.
* Add chopped pecans or walnuts for a nutty dose of protein.
* Mix in sesame seeds for a calcium boost.

Enjoy healthier holiday meals with these quick nutritional tips:

* Prepare holiday meals rich in fresh and seasonal fruits, vegetables, and legumes, such as cranberries, pumpkins, clementines, beets, sweet potatoes, and lentils.
* Vegetables in the cabbage family are rich in fiber and protective vitamins, so load up on Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and turnip greens.
* Instead of buying a frozen turkey, try a natural, fresh one free of artificial ingredients.
* Skip the mashed potatoes in favor of cauliflower, celery root, or turnip purees.
* Review favorite holiday recipes to substitute butter or lard with healthy oils such as olive, canola, and other vegetable oils.
* Add fiber, “good fats,” and a host of phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals with chopped nuts such as pecans, walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts.
* When planning holiday menus, select foods that represent a rainbow of colors, like dark, leafy greens and seasonal fruits and vegetables, including berries.
* Serve whole grain bread with holiday meals, which contains fiber, folic acid, and iron, or use whole wheat bread in stuffing.
* Limit sugary drinks, like eggnog, and serve sparkling cider for toasting. For the table, dress up water for the holidays with cranberry ice cubes.

Are you limiting – or avoiding – the hidden bad ingredients in your holiday foods? Start now. Join Foodfacts.com for FREE and score your favorite foods with the amazing Food Facts Health Score.

Source:      PR Web