Have your sugar cravings been spiralling out of control, and you’re looking for a healthier more satisfying alternative?
Try these healthy ferrero rocher balls.
They are the perfect treat at any time of the day and super satisfying as they provide 8 g of fat per ball and only 6 g of carbohydrates. So you’ll find you won’t overindulge (and if you do, thats ok too!).
Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 12
Healthy Ferrero Rocher Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup (135g) + 12 hazelnuts
- 2 tbsp cocoa or cacao powder
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
- 2 tbsp dark chocolate chunks (e.g 70-85% Lindt dark chocolate)
Directions
- Add 1 cup of hazelnuts into a food processor and blitz until chopped into tiny pieces.
- Next, add the cacao powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, sea salt and chocolate. Pulse until all the ingredients start to stick together. If the mixture is too dry, add 1-2 teaspoons of water.
- Roll the mixture into bite-size balls and insert one hazelnut into the centre of each ball.
- Serve straight away or store in the fridge for later.
Health Benefits
Cocoa powder is a rich source of polyphenols which has been shown to provide prebiotic benefits, enhancing the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.
Specifically, cocoa powder increases the growth of the beneficial bacteria Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus species. It also reduces the number of pathogenic (bad) bacteria such as Clostridium perfringens. (1)
The metabolites found in cocoa have also shown anti-inflammatory effects in the gut making it a fantastic ingredient to incorporate into your diet on a regular basis for long term gut health.
Cacao powder is also a great source of magnesium, providing approximately 100 mg per 2 tablespoons.
Magnesium is an abundant mineral to support you during times of stress and to support healthy, regular menstrual cycles.
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