Healthy Snacks Chocolate Oat Energy Bars
Who says chocolate is a no-no during a detox diet? As long as you are using whole ingredients (such as raw cacao powder) with healthy properties, and not harming effects on your body, you can pretty much eat anything you like.
For me, a detox diet doesn’t mean excluding most of the ingredients from my food list, but actually consuming the ones that really help my body function correctly and detox naturally.
For example, these energy bars look and taste like decadent, but they’re actually loaded with everything your body needs during a busy afternoon for giving you an energy boost.
The combination of oats and chocolate is not only delicious, but actually stimulates your body, creating the perfect mix to prepare you for a workout session or for giving you energy in the afternoon, all without burdening your liver. Raw cacao powder is a natural energizer, with a detoxifying action thanks to its high concentration of antioxidants which reduces the damage caused by free radicals.
[Try this: Four Ingredient Raw Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups]
It is a great source of the essential mineral magnesium, with a key role in detoxifying the body at the cellular level. The cell membrane contains magnesium, which facilitates a healthy sodium-potassium balance, maintaining an alkaline environment: just what we’re looking to achieve by cleansing the body and nourishing it with the right foods.
When I don’t have vegan, sugar-free chocolate chips, I like to make my own chocolate sauce by using healthy oils such as coconut and cacao butter, and mixing them with raw cacao and a healthy sweetener such as raw agave nectar. It always turns out delicious and it’s a much healthier alternative to the supermarket chocolate which is loaded with refined-sugar.
Oats are a constant presence in my diet because of their cleansing properties. They contain soluble fiber called beta-glucan, which helps your body eliminate toxins and cholesterol, while preventing them from leaking back into the blood stream. Oats help you maintain the health of the cells in your colon wall, while also keeping your cholesterol levels low.
You can also add your favorite seeds and nuts to enrich the nutritional powers of these energy bars. I buy them in bulk and keep them in an airtight container for up to two weeks in the refrigerator, so they’re on hand any time I need a quick energizing snack.
(You may also like: Detoxifying Matcha Green Tea Chocolate Balls)
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Chocolate Oat Energy Bars
- Yield: 6-8 bars 1x
Ingredients
- 1&1/2 cups rolled oats
- ½ cup dry pitted dates, soaked in purified water for at least 1 hour
- 1 tbsp raw cacao powder
- 4 tsp coconut oil
- 1 tbsp cacao butter
- 2 tsp raw agave nectar
- Tahini, to garnish
Instructions
- In a food processor add the drained dates and 2 tsp coconut oil, and pulse to obtain a puree.
- Add the oats and pulse to incorporate.
- Line a small pan with parchment paper and spread the oats mixture into ½ inch layer.
- In a small sauce pan add the coconut butter, the rest of the coconut oil, raw cacao powder and place over low heat, mixing continuously to homogenize.
- Remove from the heat, add the agave nectar, mix to incorporate, then pour over the oats layer.
- Set aside to cool, drizzle with tahini, then cover with plastic foil and freeze for at least two hours.
- Remove from the freezer, cut into slices and serve or keep into an airtight container for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
Is there any way to replace the dates with something equally nutritious? I am not a huge fan of dates at all.
In step 4 you indicate to “add the coconut butter” but there isn’t any coconut butter listed with the ingredients. Am I missing something?
Thank you!