- LeBron James' chef Dena Marino shared the NBA star's granola recipe on Instagram.
- The recipe is oat-free and contains spices and protein sources like nuts and egg whites.
- A dietitian says the recipe is nutritious as is, but adding oats would make it more heart healthy.
LeBron James became the oldest player in NBA history, at 37 years and 60 days, to record more than 50 points and 10 rebounds in a game in the Los Angeles Lakers' win over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday.
The aging NBA superstar has maintained his place at the top of his sport's performers as he approaches 40. James' diet and lifestyle to maintain that performance has fluctuated over the years — he's adopted different diet habits from drinking wine every day, according to ESPN, to only eating meat, fish, and vegetables for 67 days straight, according to Men's Health.
These days, one of James' go-to healthy snacks is his high-protein granola, according to his chef Dena Marino, who posted the recipe for James' favorite granola on Instagram on Wednesday.
The mix contains 4 g of protein, 10 g of carbs, 16 g of fat, and 200 calories in one half-cup serving, Marino wrote.
The recipe, which is for nine servings, is completely oat-free but contains multiple sources of protein. It includes:
- 1 cup of chopped cashews
- 1 cup of chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup of sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup of coconut flakes
- 1/4 cup of ground flaxseeds
- 1/2 tsp of turmeric
- 1/2 tsp of smoked paprika
- 1 tsp of cinnamon
- 1 tbsp of curry powder
- 1/4 tsp of salt
- 2 tbsp of maple syrup
- 1 tbsp of honey
- 1 egg white
A dietitian says the recipe is packed with protein, healthy fats, and flavor, but adding oats might help
Registered dietitian Bonnie Taub-Dix, founder of BetterThanDieting.com, told Insider that James' recipe has a lot of nutritional value, especially in the protein sources and spices.
Turmeric, in particular, has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years and is said to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidizing properties, Insider previously reported. Similar effects have been reported from cinnamon and paprika which can also help lower cholesterol levels and help manage type-2 diabetes, Insider previously reported.
Still, Taub-Dix said adding oats to the recipe can improve its fiber content, adding benefits for heart health.
"Oats provide the energy that carbs bring along with soluble fiber to help keep your heart healthy," Taub-Dix told Insider.
Eating oats is also linked to lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels while also reducing the risk of diabetes, according to WebMD.