I’m sure most of us get those sweet cravings throughout the day. Sometimes is easy to just grab a slice of cake, a piece of chocolate or a cookie, but i find myself not able to just eat one of those snacks. Once you pop you cant stop! Leaving you feeling guilty and unhealthy. Well these energy bites take less than 30 minutes to make and are the perfect grab-and-go snack. Not to mention, they will definitely cure that sweet tooth. They are packed with fiber, proteins, healthy fats, and simple, healthful ingredients. You may not associate chocolate with a “health” food but a little dark chocolate on a daily basis won’t hurt you and it actually provides you with a dose of antioxidants, B vitamins, vitamin K, and much more. As I frequently say, it’s all about balance.
Vegan
Healthier Alternative
Nutritious
Simple & Easy Recipe
No Bake
Gluten-Free
Protein-Packed
Guilt-Free
Health Benefits;
Almond Flour:
Almond flour is a good bang for your buck and the ideal alternative for a gluten-free diet. This flour is high in protein (21% by weight), manganese, vitamin E and monounsaturated fats, low in carbohydrates, and contains fibre.
Cocoa Powder:
Cocoa powder is rich polyphenols. Polyphenols are naturally occurring antioxidants found in foods like fruits, vegetables, tea, chocolate and wine.They have been linked to numerous health benefits, including reduced inflammation, better blood flow, lower blood pressure and improved cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Maca Powder:
The most well-known benefit of maca root is its potential to increase libido. Maca root could also have benefits for people with erectile dysfunction (ED). Some athletes and bodybuilders use maca root as a supplement to increase energy and performance. Another widespread use of maca root is to increase fertility, particularly in men. Maca contains flavonoids, which are thought to improve mood and reduce anxiety. A study in 14 postmenopausal women found that maca may reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. It is possible that maca root can also help to improve blood pressure. Maca might help protect the skin from UV rays. It also promotes natural antioxidants in the body, such as glutathione and superoxide dismutase.
Dates:
Fresh dates contain anthocyanidins and carotenoids, while dried dates contain polyphenols – just like green tea. Dates have a low glycemic impact. This means that eating dates alone, or with a meal, may help people with type-2 diabetesmanage their blood sugarand blood fat levels. Each little date contains over two milligrams of choline, a B vitamin that’s a component in acetylcholine, the memory neurotransmitter. Highercholine intake is associated with better memory and learning, making it a key nutrient for children and older adults at risk for Alzheimer’s.
Dark Chocolate:
It contains a decent amount of soluble fiber and is loaded with minerals.
A 100-gram bar of dark chocolate with 70–85% cocoa contains 11 grams of fibre, 67% of the RDI for iron, 58% of the RDI for magnesium, 89% of the RDI for copper, 98% of the RDI for manganese. It also has plenty of potassium, phosphorus, zinc and selenium.
Cashews:
Although cashews are one of the lowest-fibre, highest carbohydrate nuts, they’re packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.These include vitamins E, K, and B-6, along with minerals like copper, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, iron, and selenium, all of which are so important for a variety of bodily functions that we can’t go without them.
Almond Butter:
Almond butter contains the healthy monounsaturated fatty acids of the almonds, plus plant phytosterols and antioxidants which promote heart health. You'll also get plenty of healthy fibre (10g per 100g) and a great source of plant protein from almond butter (25g protein per 100g!)
Recipe
~ Makes 18-20 Balls ~
Prep Time - 25 mins ~ Cook Time - 0 mins ~ Total Time - 25 mins
Ingredients:
½ cup cashews
½ cup gluten-free rolled oats
½ cup almond flour
3 tbsp cocoa powder
2 tbsp maca powder (optional)
2 tbsp creamy almond butter
8 medjool dates (about 1 ¼ cups)
3 tbsp water
¾ cup dark chocolate
1 tbsp coconut oil
Method
In a food processor, add cashews, oats, almond flour, cocoa powder, and maca powder. Blend until it resembles a coarse flour texture. Add almond butter, dates and water. Process until mixture comes together and can be easily formed into a ball. Use a teaspoon to portion out dough. Roll into a smooth ball measuring 2 teaspoons of mixture at a time and transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet.
In a small bowl, microwave chocolate and coconut oil in 30 sec intervals until melted. Dip each ball into the melted chocolate and roll around to coat using a fork. Scoop up the ball with a fork and gently shake off any excess, transfer to the baking sheet.
Transfer to the freezer for 10 min. to allow chocolate to set. Store energy bites in an airtight container in the freezer.
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