The Ridiculously Good Granola I Reach for Every Morning (It’s My Favorite Easy Breakfast!)

I’ve never been a breakfast person, but that’s something I’m trying to change. The way it’s always been is like this: I don’t eat until lunch around 1 p.m., by which time I’m so hungry. Then, mere minutes after I eat, I feel like I can barely keep my eyes open and want to go back to bed. I figured a good way to remedy this problem would be to somehow make myself look forward to preparing and eating well-balanced breakfasts. 

In scrolling through meal ideas on Pinterest, I saw a lot of granola bowls laden with nuts, yogurt, and fruit. Not only did they look appetizing, but they also looked pretty. So, I decided to start doing that, using Soul Grain’s granola as the base for my bowls. What initially appealed to me about this brand was its unique granola flavors, my favorite being the banana pudding. After a while, the granola became my go-to for both breakfast and snacking throughout the day, saving me from hours-long fasts and midday crashes.

Although you can shop Soul Grain’s granola directly from the brand’s site, you can also get a few of the flavors on Amazon. Like I said, I enjoy the banana pudding flavor, which kind of makes me feel like I’m eating a dessert. What’s also great about this granola is that in addition to having oats, as you’d expect, it also contains ingredients like chia seeds and amaranth, which give a nice crunch to every bite.

With other granolas, I sometimes feel like I’m chewing forever, and the overall consistency is dry and bland. But Soul Grain’s granola manages to be light yet filling at the same time. Cococut oil and maple syrup add just the right amount of sweetness and prevent the granola from tasting dry. Additionally, I think the 10-ounce bag it comes in is the perfect size; I usually get through it in a couple of weeks, so it doesn’t go stale before I can finish it.

While I used to hate the idea of eating first thing in the morning, I now look forward to constructing my perfect granola bowl every day. I like to switch it up: After pouring in the granola, I like to add some protein in the form of nuts and Greek yogurt. (I sometimes add almond butter, too.) Then, I throw in my berries and the occasional banana. The final toppings vary — sometimes I’ll do coconut strips; other times, I opt for dark chocolate chips.

No matter the combination, the final result is always filling and delicious, keeping me not only satiated through lunch, but also energetic and able to focus. It also looks good enough to photograph, which I do before sending the picture to my foodie friends. If I do feel hungry again during the workday, I’ll go back for more granola. Even on its own, Soul Grain is tasty and crunchy — the perfect thing to munch on.

I’ve tried different granola brands from the grocery store over the years, but this is the first time I’ve been a repeat customer. My pantry doesn’t feel complete without a bag of Soul Grain, and neither do my breakfasts. And if I ever feel like changing it up, I’ll just try a different flavor.

Buy: Soul Grain Banana Pudding Granola, $13.95