Almost every food diary I see from a new client contains a daily breakfast that is devoid of protein, or any other nutritional value for that matter. Protein is super important with every meal, especially in the morning, as we digest and utilise protein more readily in the AM.

Protein helps to balance blood sugar, helping you to avoid energy dips and cravings. Protein is also needed to make hormones and neurotransmitters, and to support liver detoxification.

I’m often asked, is granola healthy? No, and that’s because it’s high in sugar and low in protein, which will lead to sweet cravings mid-morning and overeating later in the day. Fear not though, below is my recipe for a protein packed, nutrient rich, delicious granola. I love it and I know you will too.

Ingredients

• 1 cup ground almonds
• 180g flaked almonds
• 70g unsweetened shredded coconut
• 125g chia, pumpkin and sesame seeds
• 2 tbsp ground flaxseeds/ linseeds
• 125g hazelnuts or other, chopped
• 60g melted coconut oil
• 2 tbsp maple syrup or xylitol
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of sea salt
• 115g butternut squash or pumpkin puree
• 2 tsp cinnamon

Method

Preheat the oven to 180C, gas mark 4 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl. Blend the wet ingredients together in a processor. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until well combined.

Spread mixture thinly on the baking sheet. Cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serve with berries and greek or coconut yoghurt