Quaker Chewy Granola bars are a common staple in many families. There are some scary ingredients in those little plastic packages. One of which is BHT. BHT is produced by an alkylation reaction of p-cresol with isobutylene and is also used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, jet fuels, rubber, petroleum products, and embalming fluid. As a food additive BHT has been banned in Japan, Romania, Sweden, England and Australia and the Center for Science in the Public Interest recommends it be avoided whenever possible.
They also contain the caramel coloring, banned in other countries due to the detrimental side effects. AND a whole lot of ingredients that just mean sugar!
Ingredients in Quaker Granola Bar = Granola , Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Sugar, Rice Flour, Whole Grain Rolled Wheat, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oils, Partially Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oils, TBHQ, Citric Acid, Sunflower Oil with Natural Tocopherol, Whole Wheat Flour, Molasses, Sodium Bicarbonate, Soy Lecithin, Caramel Color, Barley Malt, Salt , Nonfat Dry Milk , Corn Syrup, Crisp Rice, Rice, Sugar, Salt, Barley Malt, Semisweet Chocolate Chunks, Sugar, Chocolate Liquor, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Vanillinan Artificial Flavor, Sugar, Corn Syrup Solids, Glycerin, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Partially Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil, Sorbitol, Fructose, Calcium Carbonate , Natural Flavors, Artificial Flavors, Salt, Soy Lecithin, Molasses, Water, BHT, Citric Acid
This recipe is also filled with protein rather than empty carbs which helps you children focus as well as enhance their moods by stabilizing their blood sugar and building proper brain neurotransmitters.
"HEALTHIFIED" CHEWY GRANOLA BARS:
1 cup natural peanut butter or almond
1/2 cup erythritol (or JUST LIKE SUGAR)
1/2 tsp stevia glycerite
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup NATURE'S HOLLOW xylitol honey
1 cup almond meal/flour
1 cup hazelnut meal (or other nut)
2 cups whey crisps or crushed macadamia nuts
1 tsp Celtic sea salt
OPTIONAL: 1/4 cup cocoa powder
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. In a food processor (click HERE to find the one I like on sale!), place all the ingredients and blend until a thick paste (I leave a few pieces of whey crisps whole for a crispy texture). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan (or line with parchment paper), then spread the mixture into the pan and press down to form a dense sheet. Bake for 15 minutes or until slightly crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside. Makes 12 LARGE bars.
NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per serving)
Traditional Granola Bar = 256 calories, 44 carbs, 2.6g fiber
"Healthified" Granola Bar = 238 calories, 7.5 carbs, 2.9 g fiber (5.4 effective carbs)
XYLITOL= Xylitol occurs naturally in many fruits and vegetables and is even produced by the human body during normal metabolism. Manufacturers make it from plants such as birch and other hard wood trees and fibrous vegetation. Some people prefer the taste of xylitol.
CALORIES = 2.4 calories/gram; 1 tsp has 9.6 calories and 1 tsp of sugar has 15 calories (40% fewer calories and 75% less sugar than table sugar)
SWEETNESS = Same as table sugar. Use cup for cup.
BENEFITS =
1. Reduces Cavities: It does not break down like sugar and keeps a neutral pH level in the mouth. Xylitol prevents bacteria from sticking to the teeth, which protects the teeth from tooth decay. Acid-producing bacteria falls as much as 90%. After eating xylitol, the bacteria do not stick well on the surface of the teeth which decrease plaque buildup.
2. Reduces Ear Infections: It has be used as medicine in stopping bacterial growth to help prevent ear infections in young children. It also clears out excess earwax and inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria in the pharyngotympanic tubes.
3. Helps with Asthma: Since asthma is linked to chronic post-nasal drip, xylitol can also help by breaking the cycle of bronchial inflammation.
4. Help clear up Candida (yeast overgrowth).
5. Increases White Blood Cells: Increasing immune health and protects us from chronic disease and bacterial infections.
6. Protects newborns from streptococcus if the nursing mother consumes this. It is proven to help decrease this oral bacteria by 80%.
7. Decrease Allergies and Sinus Infections: They now have a nasal spray made of xylitol because it decreases the harmful bacteria that gather in the cells of our nose.
8. Reduces Ovarian Cysts, PCOS and Breast Cancer: Consuming sugar creates high insulin levels which increase the production of estrogens, leading to an estrogen-dominant condition, and also interfere with healthy ovarian function. Insulin resistance is a major cause of a growing hormonal problem called polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Signs that the body is being exposed to higher levels of the male hormones include acne, loss of head hair, and an increase in body hair. Lowering insulin levels is crucial for not only treating PCOS but also resolving most other hormonal imbalances, including those leading to breast cancer.
