Simple Chocolate Energy Balls
Energy Balls – What Are They?
A calorie is not what we are led to believe in the health industry sometimes. Actually, a calorie is a measure of energy, not a measure of how fat food may make you. Food provides us with energy and therefore contains calories. So, typically speaking if we consume more calories than we expend, we may gain weight. Furthermore, it just so happens that all the foods that are bad for us contain a high amount of calories such as sweets, biscuits, cakes, pastries, desserts etc.
Are Energy Balls Healthy?
Energy balls provide you with an energy boost as they contain calories. However, they may be classified as healthier, if eaten in moderation due to the nutrients they contain. Furthermore, they do not contain ‘bad fats’, such as saturated fat and trans fats. These are prevalent in snack foods such as biscuits, pastries, sweets, crisps etc.
The nutrients found in this recipe include:
- Source of Dietary Fibre
- Source of Protein
- Source of Calcium
- Source of Iron
- Source of Vitamin E
- Almond are a source of monounsaturated fats – good fats.
- Hazelnuts are a source of polyunsaturated fats (Omega6’s) – good fats
However, you must remember that moderation is key! Don’t eat them all in one go! One energy ball should suffice with a glass of water or a herbal tea.
Also, you don’t have to use hazelnuts or almonds – use whatever you can find in the supermarket, or whatever you have in the cupboard.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup almonds
- ¾ cup hazelnuts
- ¼ cup desicated coconut
- 1 tbsp of coco
- 1 tbsp hot water
- 1 tsp vanilla paste
- 16 dates, pitted
- Optional: a small amount of matcha tea powder to dust the energy balls
Method
- Blend almonds, hazelnuts and coconut in a food processor.
- Add in the coco and pulse to combine.
- Add the dates, water and vanilla paste and blitz.
- Remove from the food processor and shape with your hands into small balls
- Optional: Roll in, or dust with, matcha tea
- Alternatively, you can do this with coco, desiccated coconut, freeze dried berries or chia seeds – the world’s your oyster really!
