These banana chocolate chip omega-3 bites are the perfect healthy and delicious snack to add to your week. They are packed full of healthy fats and protein, which will help keep you full longer throughout the day.
Happy Tuesday friends!! It’s finally feeling like summer here in Ohio, which makes me super happy. With the hot weather, I was craving something sweet and delicious, but still refreshing. These banana chocolate chip omega-3 bites are just that! You keep them in the freezer and then take them out when you want a healthy snack or sweet treat.
How to Make Banana Chocolate Chip Omega-3 Bites:
What ingredients do you need?
- 1 cup oats
- 2 ripe bananas
- 2-3 dates
- 3 tbsp hemp seeds
- 3 tbsp chia seeds
- 3 tbsp flaxseed
- 3 tbsp crushed walnuts
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
Add all of the ingredients to a food processor or blender and then pulse to combine. Blend until all the ingredients mix together in a consistency that you can form into balls. Roll the mixture into balls and then store in the freezer for about 30 minutes – 1 hour. Place in the fridge when you are ready to eat!
Benefits of Banana Chocolate Chip Omega-3 Bites:
Why Do We Need Omega-3s:
Omega-3’s, which consist of EPA and DHA, are essential fatty acids. This means that our body cannot produce them on its own and we need to get them from food.
Omega-3s have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. This is beneficial for preventing diseases such as heart disease, mental disorders, and metabolic syndrome.
Replacing saturated fatty acids with omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to lower LDL levels and increase HDL levels. LDL is the cholesterol transporter that deposits cholesterol into our arteries, which can lead to the development of plaques and fatty streaks. HDL is the cholesterol transporter that delivers cholesterol to the liver so that it can be excreted from our body. Elevated LDL is directly correlated with cardiovascular disease.
How much omega-3s do we need?
The American Heart Association recommends that we eat two servings of fatty fish each week. However, if you’re vegetarian or vegan like me, we don’t eat fish.
Typical recommendations for omega-3s are to consume 0.8-1.1 g/day or 800-1100 mg/day. 300-500 mg of that should be EPA + DHA.
Plant-Based Sources of Omega-3s:
There are quite a few plant-based sources of omega-3s. Actually, flaxseed and chia seeds are two of the densest sources of omega-3s.
- Chia seeds
- flaxseeds
- hemp hearts
- brussels sprouts
- walnuts
One of these omega-3 bites contains 932 mg of Omega-3s, which fits within the recommended daily amount!
Read more about the benefits of omega-3s here.
Liked this Recipe? Try some of these other vegan dessert/ snack recipes:
Banana Chocolate Chip Omega-3 Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup oats
- 2 ripe bananas
- 3 pitted medjool dates
- 3 tbsp hemp hearts
- 3 tbsp chia seeds
- 3 tbsp flaxseeds
- 3 tbsp walnuts
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients except the chocolate chips into a food processor or blender. Blend until a creamy, thick consistency that you can form into balls.
- Fold the chocolate chips into the mixture.
- Roll the mixture into 12 1-inch balls.
- Place the balls into a container and let sit in the freezer for 30 minutes - 1 hour.
- Take the balls out of the freezer and serve!
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