For many individuals, munching between meals has turn out to be a pastime. Desk drawers, glove containers and backpacks are sometimes stocked with fast snacks — some wholesome, others not.
Snacks which might be stuffed with vitamins as a substitute of simply fast energy will maintain you higher from one meal to the following. As we speak’s recipe for power bars will just do that.
Sensible snacks enable you to meet your dietary wants whereas satisfying your rapid cravings. Relying in your craving, contemplate these healthful choices.
Crunchy snacks: Take pleasure in chewing celery and carrots or different uncooked veggies. Strive apples and pears or roasted chickpeas.
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Salty snacks: Salt ought to be restricted or averted, particularly by individuals with hypertension, kidney illness or congestive coronary heart failure. Lemon, lime and vinegar can present a barely salty style that is freed from sodium. Strive spraying a little bit in your popcorn after which add your favourite herb or spice.
Creamy snacks: Creamy meals are typically greater in fats and energy. Take pleasure in creamy snacks in small servings. Strive hummus or peanut butter, or make a creamy smoothie with Greek yogurt, fruit and leafy greens.
Candy snacks: Recent or frozen, fruit is nice for satisfying your candy tooth. Use fruit as a topping on plain yogurt. Drink chocolate milk.
As we speak’s Mint Chocolate Chip Power Bars get their sweetness from Medjool dates, which additionally assist maintain the entire components collectively. Utilizing dates as a substitute of sugar on this recipe means additional fiber and a wide range of nutritional vitamins and minerals, together with iron, potassium, B nutritional vitamins, copper and magnesium.
Bethany Thayer is a registered dietitian nutritionist with Henry Ford Well being System. For extra recipes and well being data, go to henryford.com/weblog and for questions on in the present day’s recipe electronic mail HenryFordLiveWell@hfhs.org.
Mint Chocolate Chip Power Bars
Makes: 9 bars / Prep time: 20 minutes / Complete time: 40 minutes
1 ½ cups pitted Medjool dates (about 14)
½ cup almonds
½ cup cashews
1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
¼ cup cocoa powder
½ teaspoon peppermint extract
3 tablespoons water
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup mini chocolate chips
Line a 9-by-9-inch baking pan with plastic wrap.
Place the dates in a meals processor and course of till a paste kinds. Add nuts and proceed processing till dates and nuts are nicely mixed.
Add nonfat dry milk powder, cocoa powder, peppermint extract, water and salt, and course of till a well-combined sticky ball is fashioned. Add chocolate chips and pulse just a few extra instances till they’re simply included.
Take away combination from the meals processor and press evenly into your ready pan. Press combination down firmly in order that the bars keep collectively. Cowl and place pan within the freezer for 15-20 minutes. Take away from freezer and carry plastic wrap out of the dish. Lower into 9 bars. Wrap every bar in plastic wrap and retailer within the fridge or freezer.
From Henry Ford LiveWell.
215 energy (39% from fats), 9 grams fats (2 grams sat. fats), 31 grams carbohydrates, 7 grams protein, 305 mg sodium, 0 mg ldl cholesterol, 57 mg calcium, 4 grams fiber. Meals exchanges: 2 fruit, 1 protein, 2 fats.
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