As we go about our daily routine at work, school, etc. We often feel the need to bite into a snack. While a bag of potato chips or a burger may seem tempting, these junk food items are full of empty calories, leading to weight gain and supplying hardly any nutrition.

Instead, when you feel the urge to snack, having a granola bar is a great idea. Made with natural grains such as oats, nuts and dry fruits, home-made granolas are healthy and delicious treats.

An all-time favorite of kids, granolas can also be had for breakfast. Making your own granola can help you replace unhealthy ingredients found in store-bought granolas with healthier alternatives.

Remember to use natural sweetening agents such as honey or brown-sugar and replace high-fat oils with healthier oils such as sunflower or peanut oil while preparing the granola. Here is a healthy granola recipe that you can easily make at home.

Low Calorie Whole Grain Granola:

To make this healthy granola, you will need 8-10 cups of mixed grains. Choose a mix of healthy whole grains such as rolled oats, wheat germ, etc. Take around a cup of mixed nuts such as almonds, pecans, hazelnuts, etc. Also take a cup of dried fruits such as raisins, dried figs or apricots, etc.

In a large mixing bowl, combine all these ingredients along with 1 cup honey and ½ cup of sunflower oil. Mix all the ingredients together and spread evenly on a large baking tray. Now, bake the granola in the oven at 350 degree Fahrenheit for 45 minutes.

Every 15 minutes, remove the tray from the oven and stir the granola-mix well. This will ensure that the entire mix gets baked well, and prevents the granola from becoming very hard or chewy. Once done, remove the granola and pour it on a waxed paper sheet or a tray greased with a little butter or oil. Once the granola is completely cooled, store it in an air-tight container.

Serve this home-made granola with innovative toppings such as low-fat yoghurt and mixed fruits. Sprinkling this crunchy granola over fresh fruit and vegetable salads is also a great serving suggestion.