These little morsesum morsels are a great go-to snack, just don’t take them all out with you at once as being disciplined with them is not easy!!
Before we get down to the recipe, let’s have a quick look at the nutritional benefits provided by these tasty little treats..
Almonds are a standout here, because as well as providing a good dose of vitamin E, manganese and magnesium, they’re also a great source of heart healthy monounsaturated fat.
Although of particular importance for athletes, the macronutrient protein is also and essential for everybody’s daily food intake. I’ve talked a number of times about the importance of protein but please check this previous post about how much protein an athlete needs; https://nutrition4fighters.co/2020/12/31/how-much-protein-does-an-athlete-need-2-minute-read/
I prefer to use whey protein over other options such as plant based pea or soy protein for example. This is due to whey being easy for the body to absorb and as a source of protein, it is nutritionally ‘complete’. This is in reference to, unlike many plant proteins, whey being a source of the 9 essential amino acids (EAAs) that the body can’t create itself and needs to obtain from food.
Lastly, but far from least, let’s have a quick look at the main ingredient, dates. Dates are high in carbohydrates but are also a source of fibre, meaning they won’t raise your blood sugars to quickly.
Dates are a good source of various vitamins and minerals including potassium, magnesium, manganese, copper and vitamin B6. They are also a great source of antioxidants and when compared to similar types of fruit, such as figs and dried plums, they appear to have the highest antioxidant content.
Antioxidants are important for supporting the immune system and reducing inflammation. In dates you can find the 3 most powerful antioxidants:
- Flavonoids: Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation and have been studied for their potential to reduce the risk of diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and certain types of cancer.
- Carotenoids: Carotenoids are proven to promote heart health and may also reduce the risk of eye-related disorders, such as macular degeneration.
- Phenolic acid: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, phenolic acid may help lower the risk of cancer and heart disease.
Ingredients
- 250g Dates
- Semi skimmed milk 1/4 cup
- 25g scoop of protein of choice (I opt for whey)
- Almond powder 30g
- Cocoa 20g
- Almond powder 20g
Instructions
- Ensure dates are de-stoned before blending up. You may have to scrape down the side and re-blend a few times to ensure an even consistency.
- Add additional dry ingredients aside from 20g of almond powder and re-blend.
- Add milk and re-blend whilst again ensuring an even consistency.
- Place ground almonds in a bowl by itself and set aside.
- Take a teaspoon and remove a dollop of mixture of around 1 inch in diameter. Now roll into a ball in the palm of your hands and set each one aside.
- Upon completing rolling all the mixture into balls, start rolling each one in the ground almond set aside. When each is consistently covered place to one side.
- Place all the balls in the fridge for 30/45 minutes to chill and enjoy!
Total Kcal: 770 kcal (per batch)
Nutrition 4 Fighters 