Thyroid Friendly Chocolate Energy Bites Recipe
Want to know which of your organs controls a vast variety of your bodily functions? Your thyroid gland. Yep, your thyroid- the butterfly-shaped, endocrine gland that is located front and center in your neck. Our thyroid is responsible for hormone production, protein synthesis, and metabolic activity. Sounds important? IT IS! The food we consume has such a critical impact on the way our thyroid functions. I am not a doctor, but one very important mineral that is critical to supporting our thyroid is selenium and my thyroid friendly Chocolate Energy Bites is chockfull of it!
One of the most potent, readily available, and delicious forms of selenium is found in Brazil nuts! These super nuts contain 139mcg of your recommended 200mcg/day in just one nut! How cool is that? I think this provides a pretty clear example of how our food truly is medicine. While Brazil nuts are awesome on their own, I created an easy and decadent snack using them, plus a few more thyroid enriching ingredients, that taste like a treat!
Here’s a complete list of ingredients needed to make these thyroid-loving energy bites:
- ½ cup raw almonds
- 1/3 raw brazil nuts
- 2 pitted Medjool dates
- 2 tbsp raw cacao powder
- 1 tsp maca powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp coconut oil
Optional: Protein powder- I used Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides but a vanilla or chocolate protein powder I believe would mix in well.
Tools needed: A food processor or blender is crucial to combining everything. A small rubber spatula is nice to scrap the sides but is not necessary.
The first step is to blend the almonds and brazil nuts until a silk nut butter forms, this can take about 7-15 minutes depending on your food processor and how many times you have to stop and scrape the sides down which I typically do about 3-4 times. The consistency when done should look very familiar if you are a fellow nut butter lover who eats it by the spoon full. Silk, shiny, and smooth.
Second step: Add the remaining ingredients – dates, cacao powder, maca powder, cinnamon, coconut oil, and optional protein powder. Blend until well combined. A ball may form in your food processor and that is great!
These additional ingredients have AMAZING benefits for your entire body in addition to your thyroid. Maca root is an adaptogen excellent for hormone balance, energy, and endurance. Cacao powder is full of antioxidants and is also an energy and mood booster. Cinnamon is great for your metabolism. Dates are naturally very sweet allowing this recipe to be refined sugar-free. Lastly, coconut oil, is absolutely wonderful and full of nutrients like healthy fats that stabilize our blood sugar, and is a food I use daily.
Third and final step: Roll the “batter” into bite-size balls, making about 12. Then if you choose to take it one step farther, you can top/roll the individual balls in coconut flakes or cacao powder. And Voila! You now have healthy, nutrient-rich, and DELICIOUS almond and brazil nut chocolate energy bites! They make an excellent pre-work out treat, snack on the go, or a sweet treat. Enjoy!
PRO TIPS:
- Store in fridge for up to a week or freezer for longer.
- They taste like a truffle straight from the fridge- you can thank me later.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shelbi Thompson is a Certified Holistic Health and Nutrition Coach based in the PNW. Her coaching practice, Finding Your Sweetness, was created through her passion of helping people discover balance in their diet. She believes in choosing real food to nourish our bodies rather than calorie restriction. Shelbi specializes in digestive health, uncovering food intolerances, and kicking refined-sugar habits. If she’s not in the kitchen or with clients, she is out trying new restaurants, petting all dogs, and enjoying everything the PNW has to offer.
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