One of my good friends recently asked me about vegan foods to keep you fuller longer, and on top of that, she needed a recipe that could be prepped and eaten on the go – with two little ones at home, she doesn’t have hours of time to prepare meals. I completely understand; sometimes, we need something that we can grab and pop in our mouths on our way out the door!
These Powerballs are perfect, and what makes them so great you ask? Chia seeds! Chia seeds are high in protein and fiber, which contribute to their satiating effect. The “satiating effect” is the feeling of being full and satisfied, which helps lower food cravings between meals.
While I love this recipe, a few tablespoons of chia seeds can be thrown into any recipe to help you stay satisfied throughout the day. On top of the satiating effect, these seeds are also high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, reducing inflammation, enhancing cognitive performance and reducing high cholesterol.
- 1 cup dry oatmeal
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup agave nectar (or honey for the non-vegans)
- ¼ raw, unsweetened coconut flakes
- ¼ cup chocolate chips (optional)
- 3 T chia seeds
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl with a large spoon (sometimes I end up kneading the ingredients with my hands to get it all thoroughly integrated).
- Let the mixture chill in the refrigerator for about half an hour.
- After chilled, roll into balls. A little trick to keep it from sticking to your hands – spray your hands with cooking spray before picking up the mixture.
- Enjoy!
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