This recipe was submitted by Nicolle Bergeron, Registered Holistic Nutritionist that supports others with their journey to bring real food back to the table.
Inside Scoop: Get your healthy snack on with these Chewy Sugar Free Energy Balls.
When you look at the snack aisle of your local grocery store you are probably thinking: “another one bites the dust!”. That’s because you are seeking out a healthy snack for you or the family and all you see is artificial colouring, artificial flavours, sugar, sugar and more sugar. Donât fret, Sugar-Free Energy Balls to the rescue!
These snack-sized bites are loaded with protein, fiber, healthy fats and cinnamon to help stabilize blood sugar. The protein and fiber will also help keep you full for longer thereby helping you lose weight. They can be made into snack-sized bites or bar-sized and trust us they are worthy of a spot in your lunch bag!
They are an amazing treat for supporting your body’s natural detox capacity because they lack added sugars and instead utilize the natural sugars found in those delicious medjool dates. Nuts are nutritional powerhouses that contain healthy fats, protein, fiber and are loaded with nutrients, though they are also a common food allergen. To create an allergy-friendly version you can swap the nuts with seeds, such as pumpkin seeds, which are equally nutritious and also tend to be more cost-effective.
Ingredients can easily be swapped and various different add-ins can be included.
For instance, you can go nutty and add nut butter/ hemp or chia seeds for that extra bit of plant-based protein! Why not have fun with this recipe and leave us a comment below for your creative twist? They may be small; but they are mighty, nutritious and naughty! Throw in some bananas, dark chocolate, chili, and/or raw honey for added aphrodisiac properties. They will even satisfy that sweet tooth of yours, we promise. đ
Energy Bites
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup almonds raw
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds, raw
- 4 medjool dates pitted and chopped
- 2-3 Tbsp coconut shredded
- 1 Tbsp flax ground
- 1-2 Tbsp water *see notes
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 2 Tbsp cranberries unsweetened and dried *optional
- 2 Tbsp cacao nibs raw
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Add ins: nut butters, hemp seeds/ chia seeds, dark chocolate chips
Directions
- In a food processor combine the first 7 ingredients and pulse until well combined. The mixture should easily stick together.
- In a small bowl combine remaining 3 ingredients.
- Using yor hands, add the blended mixture to the dry ingredients in the small bowl.
- Form into small balls and put in the freezer for 15 minutes until they are set.
- This recipe yields 6 to 8 bite-size balls that are best stored in the fridge.
Recipe Notes
If you have regular pitted dates, we recommend using 1/3 of a cup.Â
* Slowly add water 1 Tbsp at a time until you get desired consistency.
Sometimes we like to add in 1/4 cup of oats or a couple tablespoons of oat flour.
Nicolle Bergeron
This recipe is courtesy of Nicolle Bergeron from Nutrition With Nicolle. Nicolle is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist who is located in Ottawa, Ontario. She has received her designation through the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and pursues her passion by supporting others with their journey to bring real food back to the table.
Check out Nicolle on facebook at Nutrition with Nicolle or follow her on twitter @nwithnicolle!
Special Thanks to recipe editor Lisa Bermas
Lisa Bermas
Lisa Bermas is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist⢠originally from Toronto. Her passion is to empower individuals to take health into their own hands with the guiding principles of plant-based nutrition.
Lisa was intrigued to pursue an education in the alternative medicine field, in large part due to her experience with conventional doctors, who often wrote off her joint pain as either âgrowing painsâ or, simply put, ânothingâ. She later linked this pain to changes in barometric pressure, poor absorption, and a highly inflammatory and acidic diet. The decision to turn to this field of medicine also stemmed from her realization that many doctors are essentially looking at the human body as individual parts rather than as a whole, integrated system. Lisa firmly believes that the integral link to our physical health is the connection between body, mind, and spirit.
In addition, Lisa studied Homeopathic Medicine and completed an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Integrative Biology and Health Studies at the University of Toronto. She is also a bunny mom, a passionate photographer and writer. Scroll through her feed on Instagram:Â @empowereats
Sugar free
They are completely added sugar-free, meaning no syrups or sugar cane. Instead naturally sweetened with whole dates, which are high in fiber and nutrients and a better blood sugar balancer.