Wholistic Jen

Why This Isn’t Your Average Granola

Most store-bought granolas, even the ones marketed as “healthy,”are heavy on oats, sugar, and oils. I even bought one recently that was grain free but still contained LOTS of sugar and oil. These can spike blood sugar, feed inflammation, and work against thyroid balance. This version is raw, vegan, grain-free, and low-glycemic.

Made with nuts, seeds, cacao, and just a touch of natural sweetness from almond butter, this chunky chocolate granola delivers steady energy without the crash. And because it’s dehydrated instead of baked, the living enzymes, delicate fatty acids, and micronutrients are preserved.

The Science in Your Bowl

• Almonds, walnuts, and pecans: provide zinc, selenium, and omega-3 ALA. These are all nutrients critical for thyroid hormone conversion and immune balance.
• Pumpkin seeds: rich in zinc and magnesium, supporting thyroid hormone production and calming the nervous system.
• Sunflower seeds: a good source of vitamin E and even some selenium, zinc, and magnesium.
• Cacao powder: high in flavonoids that reduce oxidative stress, plus magnesium for energy and relaxation.
• Chia and flax seeds: provide soluble fiber, more ALA, and lignans to feed gut bacteria, reduce inflammation, and support hormone balance.
• Almond butter + protein powder: add binding, richness, and steady, blood-sugar-friendly protein.

This is the kind of breakfast, or dessert, that keeps you full, sharp, and stable.

Raw Vegan Grain-Free Chocolate Granola Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup almonds
• 1 cup pecan halves
• 1 cup walnut halves
• ½ cup pumpkin seeds
• ½ cup sunflower seeds
• ½ cup coconut flakes
• 2 Tbsp chia seeds + ½ cup water
• 2 Tbsp ground flax seeds
• ¼ cup cacao powder
• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder (I use Wholistics Botanicals, but any will do)
• ¼ cup almond butter

Instructions

1. Rough chop almonds, pecans, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and coconut flakes (use a food processor or chop by hand).
2. In a small bowl, combine chia seeds with water and let gel (about 10 minutes).
3. Mix chopped nuts and seeds with ground flax, cacao powder, protein powder, and almond butter. Stir in chia gel until evenly combined.
4. Spread thickly onto a dehydrator tray lined with parchment or non-stick sheet.
5. Dehydrate at 110°F until completely dry and crunchy (about 10–12 hours, depending on thickness).
6. Break into chunky clusters. Store in an airtight jar.

Bringing It Together

This is a functional food designed for thyroid and gut health. Every bite delivers minerals, polyphenols, and fibers that calm inflammation, feed the microbiome, and stabilize energy.

Inside the Culinary Healing Circle, we create recipes just like this that are fun, healing, and deeply satisfying.

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