Do you have a sweet tooth? Apparently if you are always craving sweets, your diet may be deficient in protein. It seems a bit counterintuitive—want a chocolate bar? Go eat some almonds—but it is actually very true.
As a vegetarian, I need to be cognizant of my protein consumption—not consuming enough protein leaves me dizzy, hungry, and grouchy, so I make sure to monitor it pretty closely, for the good of the household. And generally that works well; when I have cravings, they are usually the salty or savoury kind, but on occasion I get the feeling that I need something sweet and I need it right now.
That's what makes these Maple Coconut Tahini Treats so great—they are sweet and delicious, and they are made with tahini (sesame seed paste), which has 6 grams of protein per 2 tablespoon serving. Not only do these little vegan energy bites hit the sweet spot, but with their protein-rich ingredients they also curb cravings from within. A pretty perfect way to satisfy a sweet tooth, if you ask me.
Ingredients:
In a food processor, whirl together tahini, maple syrup, cocoa powder, and vanilla until very smooth and paste-like in consistency.
Add coconut, 1/4 cup at a time, and process until the mixture becomes very thick and sticks together, like a ball in the food processor (see below video).
Roll the mixture into bite-sized balls and refrigerate until firm.
Tip: this recipe freezes well.
(Yield: 20-24 bites of energy)
Nutritional Information (approximate, based on one of 24): Calories 90, Fat 6.5 grams, Total Carbohydrates 7.5 grams, Fibre 1 gram, Protein 3 grams
Have a sweet tooth? Try my Gluten-Free Chocolate Almond Butter Blondies, my Decadent Dark Chocolate Truffles, or my Five-Ingredient Ten-Minute Chocolate Mousse Pie.
See for yourself how to make these sweet energy bites—watch below!
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