One of the most common questions that I have been asked by my readers, family and friends is how to snack healthily. When the hunger monster strikes between meal times its always a tough choice whether to wait it out until your next meal or reach for that bag of crisps stashed in the bottom of your snack drawer.
Some of you may think that the solution to the problem is the first option as it’s better than eating a packet of crisps. However, my solution to the problem is none of the above. If I feel hungry between meals I first make sure that I’m hungry and not just bored and thirsty. Once I’ve confirmed that I’m hungry then I have a healthy snack such as a chopped apple with peanut butter, a Nakd bar or some almonds and dried fruit. These are great, however sometimes I find myself wanting more, something a bit more exciting.
Enter these bad boys…
I made these the other week when my snack bar stash was down. After trying the Bounce ball macadamia and coconut flavour (hello, how delicious is that?) I knew that I wanted to create my own version.
Here’s how to make them…
- 1 cup chopped (stoned) dates
- 1/3 cup coconut flour
- 1/4 cup pea protein isolate
- 1/4 cup macadamia nurs
- 2 tbsp . unsweetened desiccated coconut
- 1 tsp . vanilla
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Breakdown the macadamia nuts in a food processor. This can take some time depending on your processor, but stick with it. You're looking for a crumbly, sand like texture to form. Next add in the other ingredients and mix until everything is well blended and begins to clump together.
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Take small portions of the mixture an form the truffles by rolling in between your hands. Coat the truffles with more desiccated coconut.
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Devour and enjoy!
Cooks tip: freeze the truffles for a deliciously fudgy texture.
These are just so simple to make all you need is a food processor and I used Pulsin’ pea protein which you can pick up for £6.99 from Holland and Barrett. It has a very neutral flavour and blends very well. You can read my full review on it here.
Adding protein powder to snacks like these means that you will stay fuller for longer and will feel satisfied on a healthy and delicious snack. Failure to eat when you are hungry just because you are in between meals can lead to overeating later on. The best step forward is to nourish your body, snack healthily and enjoy every single mouthful.
For more ideas for healthy snacks to see you through to your next meal, check out my recipe page and get inspired!
What are your go-to healthy snacks when hunger strikes?
Do you have any favourite snack recipes that you would like to share?
I agree those bounce balls are delicious, although I think they use whey protein.
I keep seeing recipes like these at the moment- Lauren made some amazing looking ones with the leftover almond pulp from making almond milk which seems like a great idea, although I have not tried them yet.
I like snack bars as they survive being in my bag, and if I don’t have it one day I can save it for another.
That’s such a great way to make the most of everything and not throw anything away, love it!
Yum! I love making energy balls like these, so easy and I agree from the freezer they taste awesome!
Mhmm I love quick bites like these when I’m hungry! I agree- snacking on healthy and nutritious food is the best way to go 🙂
I love snacking on healthy stuff like this and it’s so easy to make your own when you have the time. 🙂
My favourite thing to make at the moment is just equal quantities of dates and cashews blitzed in the blender and then moulded into a snack bar shape-so easy yet so tasty and you can add whatever you like e,g mixed spice, vanilla extract, I’ve even added a little of the contents of various herbal tea bags!!
Exactly I love how creative you can be when you create your own snacks!
Oooh these look really tasty! I always just go to fruit as I’m lazy like that hehe. Though I have been eating more nuts lately – can’t beat cashew nuts. Or macadamias either actually! Always reminds me of that Friends episode where Ross poicks one up from the floor and eats it when he’s drunk and goes “nope something else” hehe.
Dear Jemma Andrew-Adiamah
i just made your version of the coconut and macadamia protein balls. i love the bounce version of the protein balls but these homemade version are just as good. is there nutritional information for these protein balls, not sure how to add them on my fitness pal as I’m monitoring my calories.
any advice much appreciated.
Hi Suaya, thanks for getting in touch and so glad that you liked this recipe. Unfortunately I’m not sure what the nutritional content it, may be this something I should keep a closer eye on in future recipes.
Just made these and they are delicious; only made 10 quite small balls though ( smaller than bounce version) and I added a dash of almond milk to help them stick together. Other than that, great recipe, thanks very much!
So glad that you liked the recipe. Yes they are much smaller than the Bounce balls, means there is more to go around 🙂
made these tonight – how bloody good are they????????????????????
So happy that you liked them Adrian! 🙂
Hi, can you suggest another substitute for pea protein isolate?