Do you find yourself craving a little energy fuel midday? Instead of jumping to pre-packaged protein bars, or another caffeine fix, focus on nourishing yourself with real, health-boosting foods. My new Power Protein Pregnancy Bites recipe packs an energizing punch! I made these delicious gems for anyone that is ready to eat revitalizing food that promotes vibrant health. When you’re in a pinch, these bites will keep you satisfied and energized! Keep an extra batch handy in your freezer for an easy grab-and-go snack that you can take with you anywhere.
Don’t let the name of this recipe fool you. These nourishing protein bites are for ALL you Beauties out there, not just my pregnant ones :) Loaded with flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, and some berries, we all can benefit from these powerful nutrients! It’s just important to remember, that while we are pregnant, we need to get a little extra protein in our diets.
Plant-Based Protein
Too often I hear people ask where do vegans get their protein in. Getting protein is so easy from a plant-based perspective. For example, this Power Protein Pregnancy Bites recipe has 3 different sources of protein. Thanks so much to our wonderful chia seeds, flaxseeds, and walnuts! Remember, the average woman only needs about 46 grams of protein a day. And if you are a pregnant Beauty, bump that on up a bit more to 70 grams. It really is not that much! And if you’re worried about how you’re going to get enough protein on a plant-based diet, don’t stress about it.
Think about all high quality, clean-burning protein sources we have available to us. Bio-available protein is abundant through plant-based sources. You’ve got your seeds and your nuts like we are using in today’s recipe. Then there are loads of varieties of beans and the lentils. And then there is also tempeh, tofu, and quinoa, even more, protein-rich sources that delicious and are easy to make!
It’s very easy to fulfill your protein requirements, no matter what your needs are. Too much protein, especially when that includes animal and dairy protein, is extremely acidic and has an aging effect on the body. Not only can it weigh you down, but also it can put you at an increased risk of toxicity. This is truer than ever for expectant moms.
Love Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are an inexpensive and clean source of nutrients. They work as a wonderful binder in this Power Protein Pregnancy Bites recipe, and they do so much more than just that. The ancient Aztec and Mayans used chia seeds as vital nourishment for centuries.
They are filled with protein, omega 3s, fiber, magnesium, and calcium. Chia seeds also have a high level of soluble and insoluble fiber and provide long-burning fuel as they cleanse your digestive system. Because they are so nutrient-dense and filling, chia seeds can help reduce cravings and keep you on track with your diet. I enjoy them pretty much daily as they offer some of the best energy!
Be sure to store your chia seeds in a cool dry place when you are done using them for this recipe. And if you are looking for some more inspiration on what to do with these fabulous seeds, check out this Acai Chia Pudding recipe! I’m sure you will love it. :)
Underrated Flaxseed
Flaxseed is also underrated and most certainly deserves to be in your rotation of ingredients. After you’ve mastered using them in this Power Protein Pregnancy recipe, you can enjoy it in a variety of other ways. Sprinkle some flaxseeds in your oatmeal, or over your smoothie. Grind it up and add it into a soup or over a salad. The more ways you can find to bring flaxseeds into your world the better!
Unfortunately, I often hear of people believing the only way they are able to get their omega-3s is with fish or fish oil supplements. But there really is no need for that. These mighty seeds are super high in alpha-lipoic acid. Just two tablespoons contain 3000 milligrams of ALA. That is 187% of your daily needs.
It’s important we get our omega-3 fatty acids as they are strongly linked to brain health. That is one thing we all can relate on. Our brains deserve to receive the nutrients they need to thrive. Flaxseed can help you get it there. This also goes for all my pregnant mammas out there. Omega-3s are so important for helping your baby’s brain develop. So you can tell yourself that if you eat a few extra of these Power Protein Pregnancy Bites, you just giving some extra brain-boosting energy to your baby. :)
Top Choice Walnuts
Just as valuable, walnuts play a major role in this recipe. Their health value is right up there with chia seeds and flaxseed. In fact, like flaxseed, walnuts also have the great omega-3s that our brains thrive off of. They also linked to improving cardiovascular health in part due to their rich sources of healthy fats.
Do keep in mind, walnuts are caloric dense. Though in comparison to other nuts, like almonds, pecans, and cashews, walnuts may be one of your healthiest options. Dr. Joe Vinson, from the University of Scranton, studied the antioxidant levels of nine different types of nuts. He reported that walnuts contain twice as many antioxidants as our other nut friends. Remember antioxidants help fight off the damage in our cells so it’s something we all are always in need of.
In this Power Protein Pregnancy Bites recipe, you will see that we are using raw walnuts. In order to get the most benefit from walnuts I always recommend eating walnuts raw or unroasted. This is because the when you roast nuts you generally reduce the quality of their antioxidants. And we certainly want all the antioxidants in our Power Protein Pregnancy Bites that we can get!
Figs & Gojis
Figs and Goji berries really pull this Power Protein Pregnancy Bites recipe altogether. Their lightly sweet and unique flavors pop perfectly with the creamy tastes from the seeds and walnuts.
Flying solo, figs are an excellent way to cleanse your digestive tract. With their itty bitty seeds that are packed with health-boosting nourishment, figs are a naturally sweet healthy snack. Figs are rich in potassium, calcium, iron and they are a good source of vitamins A and K. When you enjoy this fruit you’re actually drawing out and dissolving waste, mucus, and toxins from the body. This type of work is vital to building strength and energy stores in the body.
One other way I like to remind you that you can bring energy stores to your body is to make sure that you are digesting your food as optimally as possible. Feel Good Digestive Enzymes break down stubborn macronutrients, reduce bloating, and improve nutrient absorption to boost immunity, health, and wellness. Why spend more on healthy and organic food if your body doesn’t reap the benefits? Adding this digestive enzyme supplement to your daily practice helps to ensure you will get the most out of every meal and is essential to your digestive system and wellness.
At the same time, Goji berries are known for their important adaptogen qualities. If you desire reduced stress, anxiety and fatigue levels than adaptogens should become your best friend. For centuries Traditional Chinese medicine has used to procure greater health and vitality. Adaptogenic abilities to boost general feelings of well-being and increase stamina have also been linked to Goji berries! Besides that, these little gems are also delicious and bring so much flavor to this recipe.
Easy & Convenient Bites
Filled with delicious fuel from raw seeds, raw walnuts, and dried fruit, these protein bites are the perfect thing to whip up and toss in your purse for convenient snacking! They’re also perfectly-sized to throw in your kiddo’s lunchbox for an afternoon munchie, or toss in your carry-on luggage for a portable travel snack.
Before you can make them you will want to start off by soaking your chia seeds in water for an hour. Then you can add all your ground flaxseed, walnuts, figs, goji berries, coconut flakes, coconut nectar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and sea salt into a food processor and mix it up. After its all combined you can pour the chia seed mixture into the food processor and blend it together. The mixture should feel slightly wet. Lastly press the mixture into your pan, pop it in the fridge, and let it sit for 30 minutes. Once they have firmed up you can cut it up and enjoy!
I hope you really enjoy these Power Protein Pregnancy Bites Beauties!
And one more thing before you go. Let me share that the whole idea behind plant-based fertility and pregnancy is so important to me, so we’re actually doing a course on it! If you’re interested in this topic, this course will be something you definitely don’t want to miss. Stay tuned, get on our mailing list and you will get all the information.
And remember, we’re always listening, we’re always here. So anything that’s on your mind, be sure to reach out to me on my Instagram or Facebook pages. Don’t forget to pin this recipe to your Pinterest boards either. Sending you lots of love!!
- 2 Tbs. chia seeds
- 1⁄4 cup water
- ¼ cup ground flaxseed
- 1 ½ cup raw walnuts
- 1 ½ cups dried figs
- ¼ cup Goji berries
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 Tbs. coconut nectar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- Soak chia seeds in water for an hour.
- Line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
- Add ground flaxseed, walnuts, figs, goji berries, coconut flakes, coconut nectar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and sea salt into a food processor and process until mixed well.
- Pour the chia seed mixture into the food processor and blend until well combined. The mixture will feel slightly wet.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish and put it in the fridge and allow the mixture to sit for at least 30 minutes.
- Once it has set, remove it from the refrigerator and cut into eighteen 3-inch x 11⁄2-inch bars with a sharp knife.
- Serve the bars at once, or cover the bars and store them in the fridge or the freezer for up to 1 month.
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