Does Homemade Granola Prevent Morning Sickness?

I spent most of my life skipping breakfast. I’m not much of a morning person, and dragging myself out of bed, into the shower, and out the door in time for work was always a challenge. When I do eat immediately after waking, I often feel weighed down, like there’s a lump of stone in my stomach.

But during my journey trying to conceive after 40, I learned how important it is to maintain stable blood sugar levels, especially in the morning. Eating within an hour of waking became a priority, even if it meant starting small. My partner, Mr Duncan, often made me a breakfast parfait to take to work—a simple mix of chopped fresh fruit, a dollop of yoghurt, and a handful of granola in a travel-friendly container. Yum!

Why Breakfast Matters During Pregnancy

Eating a balanced breakfast during pregnancy is crucial. It helps keep your blood sugar stable, which can reduce nausea and morning sickness. Skipping breakfast or eating heavy, stodgy meals can sometimes make nausea worse. That’s why finding the right breakfast that feels good on your stomach is key.

Can Soluble Fibre Help Prevent Morning Sickness?

I came across an article by Karen Hurd about the role of soluble fibre in preventing morning sickness. Although that original article was removed, the idea stuck with me: soluble fibre helps regulate blood sugar and digestion, which might ease nausea. Beans have been a staple in my diet for years, but I wanted to branch out to other sources of soluble fibre.

Homemade Granola: A Pregnancy-Friendly Breakfast

Since I returned to work, a daily breakfast parfait with fruit and oats full of soluble fibre seemed like the perfect solution. The yoghurt adds to my dairy intake, and the granola provides a satisfying crunch.

We recently ran out of our last bag of granola, and with moving just weeks away, I wasn’t keen to buy another expensive, often overly sweet shop-bought option. Luckily, we had plenty of organic steel-cut oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit on hand, so I decided to make my own.

Here’s my easy homemade granola recipe—see the full printable version below!”

Easy Homemade Granola Recipe

This recipe is based on Elizabeth Rider’s granola but modified to reduce sugar and skip salt and vanilla extract. It’s simple, tasty, and perfect for pregnancy mornings!

Ingredients:

• Whole rolled oats
• Nuts and seeds (your choice)
• Dried fruit
• Fruit juice (organic apple juice works well)
• Honey
• Coconut oil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 150°C (300°F).
2. Mix a spoonful of honey and a teaspoon of coconut oil into a quarter cup of apple juice until dissolved. (Tip: If your coconut oil is solid, warm the jar under hot water and shake to mix.)
3. In a large bowl, combine a couple of cups of rolled oats with several handfuls of chopped nuts, seeds, and dried fruit.
4. Pour the liquid mixture over the oats and stir until everything is evenly coated.
5. Spread the mixture evenly on a baking tray in a single layer.
6. Bake for 15–20 minutes until the oats are dry and toasted, watching carefully to prevent burning on the edges.

Tips for Making Pregnancy-Friendly Granola

• Keep an eye on the granola while baking to avoid burning.
• Customize with your favorite nuts and seeds for extra nutrients.
• Use fruit juice instead of extra honey or sugar to keep sweetness natural and light.
• Store in an airtight container to keep it fresh for up to two weeks.
• Serve with yoghurt and fresh fruit for a balanced breakfast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can homemade granola really help with morning sickness?
While there’s no magic cure, granola packed with soluble fibre and balanced nutrients can help stabilize blood sugar and soothe nausea for some pregnant women.

What other breakfast ideas work well during pregnancy?
Try smoothies with fruit and spinach, oatmeal with nuts, or yoghurt parfaits with fresh berries and seeds.

Is homemade granola safe in early pregnancy?
Yes, as long as you use fresh ingredients and avoid added raw eggs or unpasteurized products.

Final Thoughts

Making homemade granola has been a game-changer for my pregnancy breakfasts. It’s easy, nourishing, and gentle on my stomach—plus, I love knowing exactly what’s in it. If you’re struggling with morning sickness or looking for healthy breakfast ideas, give this recipe a try!

Have you tried granola or other breakfast foods to help with morning sickness? Share your tips and experiences in the comments below!

Homemade Granola

Course: BreakfastCuisine: American

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

15

minutes

Total time

20

minutes

This easy homemade granola recipe is low in sugar and perfect for a pregnancy-friendly breakfast

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole rolled oats

• Several handfuls of chopped nuts and seeds (your choice)

• Several handfuls of dried fruit (e.g., raisins, cranberries, apricots)

• 1/4 cup organic apple juice

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 1 teaspoon coconut oil

Directions

• Preheat oven to 150°C (300°F).
• In a small bowl or jar, mix honey and coconut oil into the apple juice until dissolved. (If coconut oil is solid, warm the jar under hot water and shake to combine.)
• In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, chopped nuts, seeds, and dried fruit.
• Pour the liquid mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is evenly coated.
• Spread the mixture evenly on a baking tray lined with parchment paper or a clean baking sheet.
• Bake for 15–20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until oats are dry and toasted. Watch carefully to prevent burning on the edges.
• Remove from oven and let cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Notes

• Keep a close eye on the granola while baking to avoid burning, especially on the edges.
  Customize nuts and dried fruit to your preference.
  Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.