Healthier snacks with extra energy and protein
By Jane de Graaff|
We're often looking for ways to make breakfast, snacking and our treats a bit healthier, while still keeping them easy and delicious.
Well, here are four perfect examples of smoothies and other treats that are guilt-free, with higher protein and fibre, added veggies, lower refined sugar and less dairy... but they still have all the taste of a perfect snack and are packed with the right kind of energy to burn.
Smoothies
These are great because you can make them ahead or blitz them together in seconds in the morning. A smoothie with a bit of added protein and fibre sets you up for a great day and doesn't have any dairy to weigh you down.
Hazelnut, Cashew & Cacao Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons Mayver's Hazelnut, Cashew & Cacao Spread
- 1 tablespoon cacao nibs
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon desiccated coconut
- handful of ice cubes
Method:
- Place all ingredients into a high speed blender. Blend ingredients until smooth. Pour into glass and enjoy!
Recipe courtesy of Mayver's.
READ MORE: How to make a better smoothie
Bliss balls
Some people call them bliss balls, some call them protein balls — either way, they are delicious and a great way to get a mouthful of protein, energy and delight on the run. They make a great breakfast, snack, morning tea, afternoon tea or even dessert.
I love them, but I don't like when they all taste the same (chocolate and honey, for example), so this version is an apple and oat version turned into a lamington berry and coconut version too:
RECIPE: Bliss balls two ways (apple-oat and raspberry-lamington)
Jane's Avo bread - the new banana bread
Wait, what? Yes, there is a variation that includes avocado, filling it with fibre, good fats, energy and protein.
It makes a great morning tea or snack, can be packed into lunch boxes and — like banana bread — can be made ahead and frozen. It's a great way to use up your avo when it looks like you might not get through them all, and it's also super on-trend right now.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups plain flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon bi carb soda
- 1 ripe large avocado
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 3/4 cup coconut sugar (or sugar replacement)
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 small banana
Method:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C and grease and line a loaf tin.
- In a food processor blitz together avocado, lime juice, coconut sugar, almond milk, vanilla and banana until smooth.
- Add in flour, baking powder and bi carb and blitz to combine. Pour into lined tin and spread out flat. Bake for 50minutes until a skewer comes out clean. Cool in the tin, slice and serve with peanut butter.
Brownie
This one is more of a treat. It's brownie with the addition of protein in peanut butter, so you can burn it rather than just get a sugar hit. So hot-darn good. Who doesn't love a peanut butter chocolate combination?
Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownies
Ingredients:
- 300g soft tofu
- 1½ cups coconut sugar
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 175g butter or plant based margarine
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup cocoa
- 1½ cups plain flour OR gluten free flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 4 tablespoons Mayver's Dark Roasted Crunchy Peanut Butter
Method:
- Preheat oven to 180°C (fan forced) and line a 20cm x 20cm baking tray.
- Using an electric mixed, beat together the tofu, coconut sugar, maple syrup and fat of choice until light and fluffy. (NOTE: mixture may look slightly curdled and will resolve when dry ingredients are added).
- Add in remaining ingredients and mix on low speed until cocoa powder is mixed in, then move to high speed until all ingredients are incorporated.
- Pour mixture into brownie tin and flatten using spatula.
- Dollop the peanut butter on top of the brownie and using a knife, swirl into the top of the mixture.
- Bake for 22 minutes before removing from oven and allowing to cool. (NOTE: middle of the brownie should appear slightly wobbly when removed from oven.)
Recipe courtesy of Mayver's.