Less Sugar Granola (Gluten Free)

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Who doesn’t love fresh baked granola with lots of nuts and dried fruit? It makes a perfect bowl with yogurt and fruit or a perfect afternoon snack. Although I love it, sometimes the sugars don’t love me! Now, I can feel great with this Less Sugar Granola made gluten free.

Since this granola does have less sugars, it will not stick together as well. This isn’t super important to me. I love the texture that the bit of almond meal adds to it. A crisp coating and delicious flavors with the spices, make it so good.

A breakfast high in fiber and nutrients

Less Sugar Granola, which is also gluten free makes a great breakfast when you are looking for a higher fiber breakfast. Although, this granola leaves out the chia, flax and millet seeds which can bother my system. You can for sure add these seeds in for even more fiber, if you like.

Still, Less Sugar Granola is loaded with fiber, protein, nutrients, minerals and vitamins. From the oats to the almond meal, to the nut and fruit containing vitamins and minerals. Oats are a good source of magnesium, iron, phosphorus, fiber, and zinc.

Why Maple Syrup?

Yes, pure maple syrup still contains sugars. However, it contains slightly less grams of sugars compared to white sugar. This syrup, extracted from the sap of maple trees, contains many minerals. These minerals include magnesium, zinc, manganese, potassium, calcium and iron.

Maple syrup also contains antioxidants. These antioxidants are beneficial for many things in the body. They can protect against free radical cell damage and reduce inflammation throughout the body.

As well, maple syrup contains a slightly lower glycemic index than sugar or other sweeteners. The glycemic index of a food is how the body reacts to the sugars of that food, causing your blood sugar to rise or spike or not.

Aren’t all oats gluten free?

Yes, it’s true, oats are naturally gluten free. However, for celiac or an allergy, look for oats that are certified gluten free or state that they are gluten free on the label.

There is a real danger of cross contamination of gluten from oats. This is due to the field in which they were grown. This occurs because they are often grown next to or in the same fields as rye, wheat, or barley.

There can also be cross contamination from the manufacturing plant.

Typically, I reach for Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Rolled Oats. They are a great value. They come in a four pound bag. It’s a great size for having on hand for cookies and granola, or just making oatmeal for breakfast. Recently, though, I’ve heard that these might have a problem and contain more than the allotted 20 parts per million.

Brands you can trust for gluten free oats

You can check out the other brands below:

Bob’s Red Mill also makes an Organic Gluten Free Quick Cooking Rolled Oats. You can find these at many markets or Target in the link above.

Anthony’s Organic Rolled Oats, Gluten Free, 3 lb, Non GMO, are another great choice for a gluten free oats. Their flours and oats are some of my favorite products. Anthony’s Organic Rolled Oats are also recommended on Celiac.com.

Many times since being on a strict gluten free diet, I’ve been offered oatmeal cookies. The giver automatically thought because they are just oats, they are gluten free! Don’t be fooled by this myth! Many oats or oat products can contain gluten contamination. Check the label of all products. Look for oats which are labeled gluten free or are certified gluten free.

Also, keep in mind that some celiac or non celiac gluten allergy people may have a sensitivity to oats due to a protein, called avenin, in oats. This small group of people may experience similar symptoms that gluten would cause. At times, with my IBS I have also had a sensitivity to even gluten free oats.

So, be careful and know your body. Choose a brand you trust.

Customize this granola for your own likes

You can omit or add anything you like to this Less Sugar Granola. I love switching up the nuts. For this version, I chose nuts and fruits for the spices I was using.

I really love the cardamom in this. But if you don’t have it, simply omit or substitute another spice maybe.

Go ahead and add in the chia and millet seeds if those work for you. Flaxseed or ground flaxseed meal too.

You can reduce the dried fruit and dehydrated raspberries, as well. These dehydrated raspberries are such a favorite of mine! I think they have such great flavor and still look so vibrant and bright. They are just pure raspberries. These berries make a great topping to smoothie bowls, cakes or cupcakes, and other desserts.