World Diabetes Day Featured Recipe
Life Changing Bread for Diabetes Awareness
It is World Diabetes Day and National Diabetes Month here in the U.S. According to the American Diabetes Association, 1.4 million Americans are diagnosed each year, yet many of us are still in the dark about this condition and what it means to live with Diabetes.
Diabetes effects folks both young and old, and though there is no cure, it can be managed. Some Diabetics rely on medication, but all Diabetics can make better choices about the food they eat and the way they move to keep their weight in check and their blood glucose at healthy levels.
This month we wanted to share a delicious and Diabetic friendly “bread” for you to make and share with loved ones. This “Life Changing Bread” was adapted from Sarah Britton of My New Roots’ website and is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser (we tested it here at the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute just to be sure!). Our Nutrition Educator and unofficial personal chef, Jen Hagan, substituted ground flax for seeds because it’s a little easier to digest and opted to use Honey instead of Maple Syrup as the sweetener. We hope you enjoy breaking this bread with loved ones as way to honor this month and open the dialogue about Diabetes.
The Life-Changing Loaf of Bread
Makes 1 loaf
Ingredients:
1 cup / 135g sunflower seeds
½ cup / 90g ground flax
½ cup / 65g hazelnuts or almonds
1 ½ cups / 145g rolled oats
2 Tbsp. chia seeds
4 Tbsp. psyllium seed husks (3 Tbsp. if using psyllium husk powder)
1 tsp. fine grain sea salt (add ½ tsp. if using coarse salt)
1 Tbsp. honey
3 Tbsp. melted coconut oil or ghee
1 ½ cups / 350ml water
Directions:
1. In a flexible, silicon loaf pan combine all dry ingredients, stirring well. Whisk honey, oil and water together in a measuring cup. Add this to the dry ingredients and mix very well until everything is completely soaked and dough becomes very thick (if the dough is too thick to stir, add one or two teaspoons of water until the dough is manageable). Smooth out the top with the back of a spoon. Let sit out on the counter for at least 2 hours, or all day or overnight. To ensure the dough is ready, it should retain its shape even when you pull the sides of the loaf pan away from it it.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C.
3. Place loaf pan in the oven on the middle rack, and bake for 20 minutes. Remove bread from loaf pan, place it upside down directly on the rack and bake for another 30-40 minutes. Bread is done when it sounds hollow when tapped. Let cool completely before slicing (difficult, but important).
4. Store bread in a tightly sealed container for up to five days. Freezes well too – slice before freezing for quick and easy toast!
If you’d like to learn more about Diabetes, check out the following resources:
What is Diabetes | Dr. Sears Wellness Institute
Diabetes and Heart Disease in Your Prime Time | Dr. Sears Wellness Institute
Living with Diabetes | American Diabetes Association
Gestational Diabetes | Ask Dr. Sears
