Healthy Snacking! High Protein Energy Bites You Can Make in a Jiffy

FIVE Different Recipes! Healthy and homemade and not laborious

Dietitians agree that ‘healthy and homemade’ need not be laborious. And healthy can certainly taste like a treat! Check out these dietitian-approved Energy Bites and see how tasty and convenient homemade snacks can be.

Let’s face it there are numerous brands of “high protein” energy snacks available at your local grocer.  And a snack with plenty of protein can be a good choice. But more often than not, these so-called protein-packed treats also come loaded with added sugars, fillers, preservatives and unpronounceable additives. Often it’s hard to determine whether it they will do you (and your family) more harm than good.

All the same, boutique markets are selling a growing number of raw energy treats for your healthful convenience. The solution? NO, unless you’ve got money growing on trees. Albeit wholesome, natural (unadulterated) ingredients, these can be quite expensive. You may be better off surfing through the isles of your regular grocery store. But do you really want to spend your time deciphering labels when you’ve got other things to do? Stay tuned for Nutritionist’s Top Ten Energy Bar Picks. In the meantime, you can make these dietitian-approved energy bites in 10 minutes or less.

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Carrot Cake Energy Bites

Carrot Cake Energy Bites

When your hungry between meals, if you don’t have healthy snacks available, you are more likely to eat a snack that is high in calories, sugar and fat says registered dietitian Nazima Qureshi. “My solution? Energy bites. They are the perfect solution for a quick snack that is healthy but also easy to eat and share with my toddler!” she says. Filled with fiber, naturally sweetened (dates, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice) and high in antioxidants, Carrot Cake Energy Bites from Nutrition by Nazima are perfect for a healthy mid-day treat.

Peanut Butter Protein Balls

Peanut Butter Protein Balls

Got a hankering for Peanut Butter?  This may be the energy bite for you. Made with just 4 wholesome ingredients, each tasty Peanut Butter Protein Ball is packed with 9g of protein! And you don’t have to limit yourself to just one bite. “Eat two, you’ll get 18 grams of protein at 160 calories of fuel, not bad! Plus, no food processor is required,” says Kelli Shallal, registered dietitian and owner of Hungry Hobby. This is another great one to make (and enjoy) with the kids.

Cranberry Orange Energy Bites

Cranberry Orange Energy Bites

Registered Dietitian Katie Pfeffer-Scanlan, founder of One Hungry Bunny, says her Cranberry Orange Energy Bites will help curb those holiday cravings. The simple combo is complete with protein, fiber and healthy fats. With whole grain oats, dates, chia and sunflower seeds, these are a tasty, satisfying grab-n-go option. And while the essence of cranberry, citrus and pumpkin pie spice says “holiday treat”, you can easily enjoy these bites anytime of year.

Creamy Cashew Lemon Snack Bites

Creamy Cashew Lemon Snack Bites

If you love lemon, you’ve got to try these Creamy Cashew Lemon Snack Bites from KISS in the Kitchen. With just 5 whole food ingredients, it’s simple to make and easy to see why it’s a good nutritional choice.  Cashews and hemp seeds add satiating protein and healthy fats; while dates and lemon juice add a natural  (unrefined) sweetness and tang (respectively) to the oat-based mix.  “Quick to whip up as an afternoon snack or perfect for meal prepping these energy bites are sure to be a hit with the whole family,” says Shannon A. Garcia, registered dietitian and owner of KISS in the Kitchen. No refined sugars, no added fillers, just a whole lot of lovin’ for your taste buds and your body.

10-Minute Healthy Energy Bites

10-Minute Healthy Energy Bites

“Spare just 10 minutes and you can set yourself up for healthy and delicious snacks for the whole week,” says Rebecca Clyde, registered dietitian and owner of Nourish Nutrition Co. “(These bites are) packed with protein, and have no refined sugars,” she adds. Rebecca’s 10-Minute Healthy Energy Bites have wholesome ingredients including Greek yogurt, cashews, dates, chia and hemp seed. And don’t worry if you haven’t tried chia or hemp seeds yet (most stores carry them now), you’re in for a nourishing treat.

And there you have it — evidence that ‘healthy and homemade’ can be a tasty, convenient option. Because dietitians know that healthy has to taste good (or who’s going to eat it?). So get in the kitchen and spend some time with your kids making these simple, healthy eats. (Or make them yourself in no time at all.) Either way, you’ll get a good bang for your nutritional buck (and if your lucky, your kids will save some for you). Follow this series on Healthy Homemade Snacks for more tasty, fun ideas – next up: Healthy Treats You Can Make With Your Cereal (and we’re not talking about Rice Krispy treats, although we may just have a healthy hack for that).


 

The materials and contents contained within this website are provided for general information purposes only. They are not intended to offer personal medical advice, diagnose health problems or serve as a sole source of treatment. Please consult your health care provider for any advice on medications. Although I am often compensated to review products and/or services, the opinions are solely my own. I aim to provide an objective approach. And will offer the benefits as well as it’s challenges (what’s missing, what can make it better) if I feel a product or service is lacking in any way. Nutritional science is ever-evolving and thus my professional opinions are subject to change. Thus I may return to prior articles for updates and it is my intention to keep you informed as I do so.