When it comes to creating the perfect poolside snack, I wanted to pair fast acting carbohydrates for immediate energy with a little protein and fat for staying power. This recipe could not be simpler and is a staple in my raw snack/dessert files. All it calls for is dates and your favorite nuts and/or seeds. With just 10-15 minutes you can transform these ingredients into a snack-able, packable poolside option that will keep you both energized and satiated for a long day at the pool.
Here I have provided the foundation recipe with the ability to personalize as you please. Have fun with it and get creative with add-ins like dried cherries or cacao nibs. I’m personally craving coconut for a beachy flair but I’ll be leaning toward cranberries come fall.
Nutrition:
Coconut: Though I covet the taste of coconut one should be wary of its high saturated fat content. While current research continues to unveil (and debunk) the truth behind saturated fats and our health, we should still consume this rich fruit in moderation.
Hemp seeds: If you decide to coat your energy bites in hemp seeds, you’ve made a nutritious choice! These seeds offer a blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fats and are high in fiber. They also offer magnesium, one of the most abundant minerals in the body needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions including metabolism, bone health, and maintaining normal nerve and muscle function.
Dates: Dates though high in sugar, also contain antioxidants, nutrients like potassium, magnesium and copper, and insoluble fiber which helps regulate digestion and induce satiation
COCONUT, HEMPSEED ENERGY BITES
//Ingredients//
- 10 dates
- 1/2 cup nuts (almonds, walnuts, etc.)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- Toppings: unsweetened shredded coconut, hemp seeds
//Directions// In a food processor, pulse your nuts into small pieces. Add your dates and pulse until it creates a sticky mixture. Add dried cherries and pulse a few more times. Form your mixture into balls. Roll the balls in hemp seeds and/or shredded, unsweetened coconut.
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