A High Protein, High Fiber snack that will keep you energized between meals.
There's so much to love about these pistachio energy bites. They are full of fiber. They are high in protein. They also give you goo fats that are protective for your heart. Monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids are known to aid in lowering your LDL (bad) cholesterol and raising your HDL (good) cholesterol. But what I think I like most about this recipe is that it's:
Delicious in 5 Ingredients & 5 Minutes
After work, I usually have a couple of tasks before dinner is ready. I try to get in my workouts as soon as my workday is over and I have to take my puppy on a long evening walk. If I haven't done enough meal preparation earlier in the week, I still may have to prepare dinner. At this point, I'm hungry, becoming hangry, and will be more than likely to grab dinner out than prepare what I have at home. One or two of these pistachio energy bites are just what I need to keep me satisfied until dinner is ready or to keep me from skipping a workout because my stomach is growling so loud.
Pistachios
Pistachios are nuts that are high in protein and are one of the only plant-based proteins that is a complete protein. A complete protein has all 9 essential amino acids. Since pistachios are a complete protein, it makes these bites an excellent source of protein as a snack between meals or to even complement a plant-based meal or diet. Pistachios are also high in monounsaturated fats. Pistachios are a good source of B6 vitamins, phosphorus, and thiamin. Because of the good fats in pistachios and the nutritional content, they can be part of a heart healthy diet.
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are also a great source of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Chia seeds are those same seeds from those commercials in the 90s. They were advertised as the new cool pet. Now they are being recognized as a superfood because of all their wonderful nutritional benefits.
Chia seeds can be added to smoothies, oatmeal, cookies, and are a delicious bite in these pistachio energy bites.
Dates
Dates are rich in antioxidants and are high in fiber. This high fiber content makes dates beneficial for gut health. Dates are naturally sweet which means we don't have to add lots of sugar to this recipe to provide sweetness.
Dried Cranberries
Many people are familiar with the benefits of cranberries. It is widely known that cranberries help to prevent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). But cranberries also help to add in the prevention of kidney stones and gall bladder stones because they are high in citric acid which helps to prevent kidney stones from forming. Cranberries are also high in amino acids and hydroxyproline which help to build collagen in the body. Cranberries also help to hydrate your skin.
With all the natural benefits provided in these little energy bites, this recipe is something to keep in your rotation again and again.
Pistachio Energy Bites
Ingredients
½ cup Pistachios
¼ cup Pitted Medjool Dates, chopped
1/3 cup Dried Cranberries, unsweetened
1 Tbsp Chia Seeds
3 tsp Honey (Maple syrup for a vegan option)
Steps
Add dates, cranberries, and pistachios to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until ingredients are chopped into fine pieces.
Add chia seeds and continue to pulse to combine.
Add honey and pulse until the ingredients begin to clump together to form a ball. The ingredients may not form a complete ball and that's okay. Because you can form the ingredients into one big ball on a flat surface once the ingredients are sticky enough.
Once ingredients begin to come together, roll into a ball onto a flat surface. Divide into 8 equal parts and form into small, equal balls.
Refrigerate to harden and store in refrigerator until ready to eat.
Let me know what you think of this recipe. Leave a comment below and share with a friend.