My favourite sweet treat - chocolate bliss balls!

Like everyone else, sometimes I feel like something sweet. You do NOT need to feel guilty about it. In a healthy eating pattern there is absolutely room for sweet. Plus, it is very important to honour what you body wants.
 
Today I want to share with you one of my favourite sweet treats – chocolate bliss balls. It is made from all plant- based whole food, no added sugar, no added fat, or artificial additives, and it is vegan friendly. It’s a perfect sweet snack, but also a great chance to boost your nutrition intake.

Nutrition highlights:

• Very filling and help with regular bowels: prunes, chia seeds, LSA, walnuts are all packed with fibre. One of my client’s said if she has any difficulty opening her bowel, this ball is her ‘laxative’
• Anti-inflammatory and antioxidants:

 - Omega-3 fatty acids are something our body cannot make from scratch, so we have to rely on foods. Walnuts, flaxseeds, linseeds and chia seeds are all good sources of plant-based omega-3, which has great anti-inflammatory effects and also help to reduce CVD risks
​ - Cocoa is one of the richest sources of polyphenols, which have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It is better to choose 100% no sugar non-alkalised cocoa powder to maximise health benefits.  

Chocolate Bliss Balls

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pitted dates
• 1 cup pitted prunes
• 1 cup walnuts
• 1/3 cup 100% cacao (no sugar)
• 1/4 cup desiccated coconut
• 1/2 cup LSA (Linseed, sunflower seed and almond) mix
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• Coconut to coat

 
Method:

1. Soak dates, prunes in hot water for about 10mins
2. Add dates, prunes, (*apricots) and nuts into a food processor, process on high speed for 20 seconds
3. Scrape down sides of bowl and add in cacao, LSA and chia seeds and coconut, process on full speed for 40-60 seconds or until mixture combines together (this may take a little while, keep blending until it happens)
4. Roll into bite sized balls

 
Makes 10 -12 balls. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.
*Feel free to use other nuts and seeds mix or use other dry fruit (such as apricot)
 
Recipe adapted from Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute ‘Healthy Snacks’

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Grace (Daiqing) Yu - Dietitian and Nutritionist

Grace graduated from Flinders University with a Masters in Nutrition and Dietetics. She has a strong passion for food and cooking and is well-exposed to both Asian and Western cultures and cuisine. Grace believes everyone should enjoy food while also staying healthy and feeling good! She provides a nutrition assessment and can tailor an individualised meal plan to develop sustainable healthy eating habits that fit into your lifestyle.
More info can be found here