Maintaining a healthy diet is crucial for overall well-being, weight management, and disease prevention. A balanced diet provides essential nutrients, supports bodily functions, and enhances energy levels. However, adhering to a healthy eating plan can be challenging, especially when cravings for sweets and snacks arise. Finding satisfying alternatives that do not compromise nutritional goals is key to long-term success and enjoyment of a healthy lifestyle.
Healthy snacks play a significant role in this balancing act. They can curb hunger, provide energy, and prevent overeating at meal times. Choosing nutrient-dense snacks can help satisfy cravings while contributing valuable vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to the diet. Luckily, Kelsey Kunik, RDN, known as @graciously.nourished on TikTok, recently shared innovative recipe for peanut Butter & chocolate stuffed dates, a.k.a. “healthy snickers,” offering a delightful and nutritious way to enjoy a sweet treat without the guilt.
@graciously.nourished **SAVE THIS FOR THE RECIPE!** You’ve probably heard of these or seen them as “healthy Snickers”. Instead of added sugars, these treats get their sweetness from dates, which also adds fiber and other nutrients. Peanut butter adds satisfying fat and protein, and the chocolate.. We don’t need a reason to add that. If you want a Snickers, I’m the first person to tell you to just eat the freaking candy bar. But I also really love having treats on hand that satisfy my sweet tooth AND add some valuable nutrition to my day. I keep a stash of these in my freezer any time a sweet chocolate craving hits.. Which may be several times a day . Peanut Butter & Chocolate Stuffed Dates (is this even a recipe? I’ll call it a “How-To”) -Ingredients- Dates Chocolate (either a bar or chips- dark or semi-sweet) Peanut Butter Peanuts -How to- Slice the dates in half and remove the pit. Fill each date half with a little smear of peanut butter. Microwave your chocolate until melted (stopping to stir every 20 seconds or so) Drizzle the chocolate on top of the dates. Crush peanuts and sprinkle over top of the melted chocolate. Refrigerate or freeze. Stash in the freezer for possibly 3 months (but mine never last more than a couple of weeks!) #healthysnacks #intuitiveeating #gentlenutrition #dietitian #eatwellnotless #dates #foodfreedom #intuitiveeatingofficial #snacks #diettips #eatingwell #nodiets #health #nutritiontips #reallife #mealprepsnacks #snackrecipes original sound – Kelsey Kunik RDN
Why “Healthy Snickers”?
Kunik explains, “Are these Snickers? No. But do they kind of taste like one and satisfy a sweet tooth using nutrient-dense foods? Yeah, they definitely do that.” This snack cleverly mimics the beloved candy bar’s flavors using healthier ingredients, making it a guilt-free indulgence.
Health Benefits
Kunik highlights the nutritional benefits of these bites: "I love that peanut butter has healthy fats and protein while the dates add a decent amount of fiber. All of which is incredibly satisfying." She emphasizes that while there's nothing wrong with enjoying an actual Snickers bar, this alternative offers a nutrient boost. "If you want a Snickers bar, by all means, eat a Snickers bar. But if you’re looking for a semi-nutrient-dense and incredibly delicious snack to keep stashed in your freezer, you have to make these."
Recipe: Peanut Butter & Chocolate Stuffed Dates
Ingredients:- Dates
- Chocolate (either a bar or chips - dark or semi-sweet)
- Peanut Butter
- Peanuts
- Prepare the Dates: Slice the dates in half and remove the pits.
- Add Peanut Butter: Fill each date half with a small smear of peanut butter.
- Melt the Chocolate: Microwave your chocolate until melted, stopping to stir every 20 seconds.
- Assemble: Drizzle the melted chocolate on top of the dates.
- Finish with Peanuts: Crush peanuts and sprinkle them over the melted chocolate.
- Store: Refrigerate or freeze the dates. Kunik recommends keeping a stash in the freezer for up to 3 months, although she notes, "mine never last more than a couple of weeks!"
Kunik sums up the appeal of this treat perfectly: "Instead of added sugars, these treats get their sweetness from dates, which also adds fiber and other nutrients. Peanut butter adds satisfying fat and protein, and the chocolate... We don’t need a reason to add that."
Whether you're trying to lose weight or just looking for a healthier snack option, these "Healthy Snickers" are a delicious and nutritious way to satisfy your sweet tooth.
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