Earlier this week, I sent out a health coaching newsletter with tips to avoid holiday weight gain (you can subscribe via the signup form on the right sidebar! –>), and one of my guidelines is to implement an 80/20 diet balance.
I’ve talked about this concept before, but it’s the idea that 80% of your calories are from nutritious, healthy choices, and for the other 20%, you enjoy whatever indulgences you’re in the mood for. I apply this to my diet not only during the holiday season but year-round, because I believe that moderation is what works in the long haul for a healthy, sustainable relationship with food… which brings me to today’s recipe!
We all know that December is ripe with food and drink indulgences. I adore baking Christmas cookies and drinking seasonal drinks like spiked warm cider, but I also balance those treats out with healthy, light meals and a very active lifestyle.
One way that I balance out my sweet tooth is whipping up recipes that are healthy and clean, but taste like dessert. I think that many of you frequent blog readers know that this is one of my specialties! Today’s recipe is a good example of this.
Made with oats, dates, hemp hearts, and cocoa, these snack balls give you a taste of peppermint cookie goodness while being healthy, vegan and gluten + refined sugar free.
All you need to make these snack bites is 8 ingredients (including a pinch of salt) and a food processor!
At 80 calories a pop, these snack bites made the perfect little healthy holiday season dessert — for the times when you don’t want to splurge.
I’ve been loving having one or two chocolate peppermint snack bites with a cup of tea. I like drinking a Trader Joe’s peppermint green tea for a perfect pairing. It makes for one peppermint-y snack!
And since these balls are easy to throw in a bag and carry around, I’m also planning on bringing some of them with me when I travel later this month.
I do want to reinforce that the 80/20 guideline is about balance, not deprivation. I hope that you enjoy those holiday treats guilt-free when you’re really in the mood for them. I know I will!
Peppermint Chocolate Chip Snack Bites {vegan + gluten free}
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup pitted dates 16-20 dates
- 2/3 cup dry old fashioned oats
- 2 TBSP hemp hearts
- 2 TBSP dairy free mini chocolate chips
- 2 TBSP brown rice syrup maple syrup or agave works too
- 1 TBSP cocoa powder
- 1/2 TSP peppermint extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Place all ingredients except the chocolate chips in a food processor. Pulse until it forms a doughy mixture.
- Scrape down the sides if necessary, and add in the chocolate chips. Pulse for another 10 seconds.
- Remove the mixture from the food processor and roll into 12 balls.
- Enjoy! These can be stored in the fridge or at room temperature.
Nutrition
Tell me… How do you find balance in your diet during the holiday season?
Ali says
I’ve never heard it being described as the 80/20 rule, but now that I’m thinking about it I think that I do kind of follow that. Treats balanced out with healthy food is the way to go! These bites look delicious
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
These look fabulous! I love balls that are easy to throw in a bag and carry around. HAHAHA!
foodielovesfitness says
Hehehe, that made me laugh! 😉
Brittany says
Oh man, these look fantastic!! Perfect alongside a cup of coffee. 🙂
David @ Spiced says
You know, this is a really good point! We’ve been cutting out sweets lately in an effort to drop some weight…and it’s working. But I’ve seriously been craving some sweets. I like the idea of making a healthy dessert option to satisfy my entire mouth of sweet teeth! Sounds amazing…and perfect along with a hot mug of tea in the afternoon. 🙂
marcie says
These are some seriously delicious looking snack bites and I LOVE chocolate and peppermint! These would keep me out of the Christmas candy/cookies too, which would be a very good thing!
Alyssa @ A Bite of Inspiration says
These look delicious! Chocolate and peppermint are the perfect holiday combo. Plus the pinch of salt is such a great way to bring out the flavors. I’ll definitely be making this recipe soon!
Megan - The Emotional Baker says
I just made a similar snack bite! These look really delicious and perfect for the holidays 🙂
Heather dotson says
Will have to try!!