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Registered Dietitian Shares The ‘Healthy Snickers’ Recipe You Should Make For Weight Loss: ‘Satisfies A Sweet Tooth’

July 31, 2024 by Faith Geiger

 

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.

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:
    DatesChocolate (either a bar or chips - dark or semi-sweet)Peanut ButterPeanuts
Instructions: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.

READ MORE: 3 Healthy And Affordable Low-Calorie Meals To Make On A Budget

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