Collagen Energy Ball Recipe
*Featured on SWEAT
Meet my newest snack addiction: Collagen Energy Balls! The reason I love this recipe so much is because this treat not only satisfies my sweet tooth, but you only need one or two of them to keep you full and energized for a while, thanks to all of those healthy fats. I've actually made these a few times for my friends and family and they can't believe that they're actually healthy and have no added sugars!
I bet you're wondering what on earth is collagen and why am I putting them in this recipe? First off, I’ll give you a little background on collagen. It is the most abundant protein found in the body – it’s in your muscles, bones, skin, blood vessels, digestive system and joints. It is basically the “glue” that holds our bodies together and it helps to give our skin strength and elasticity. I've been using collagen peptides for a while now and the benefits that I have seen from using them are amazing –
Benefit number one: helps to improve skin health. If you’re someone who struggles with acne (like myself) or even someone who is looking for something to help with wrinkles and anti-aging – collagen could be your solution! As I mentioned before, collagen helps to give our skin elasticity so it helps to tighten up your skin. Many people even claim that it helps with stretch marks and cellulite!
Benefit number two: improves joint and bone health. Collagen helps your joints move easier, reduces pain with aging and even reduces the risk of joint deterioration. Last year, I found out that I had severe arthritis in my knee. But, ever since supplementing collagen peptides into my daily routine – I’ve had completely zero pain!
Benefit number three: helps increase muscle mass and metabolism. Muscles burns more calories than fat so collagen supplements might give your body the boost I needs to restore vitality and energy! (another reason I like to call these “Energy Balls”).
Benefit number four: helps with growth and strength of hair, teeth, and nails. I mean, what woman doesn’t want stronger hair, teeth, and nails?!
*Aside from the benefits I have experienced, collagen peptides have also been proven to help with leaky gut/GI issues, digestion, and cardiovascular health.
As you can see from all of these benefits above, it’s no wonder I try to sneak them in wherever I can (in my coffee, in recipes, etc). Each serving has twenty grams of clean pure protein. Not to mention, they are unflavored so you really can’t even tell they’re in there! If you're someone who struggles to get in enough protein or someone who hates the taste of most protein powders, try this! I use Vital Proteins collagen peptides, but there are many others on the market to choose from!
Ingredients:
20 pitted medjool dates
1/3 cup almonds
1/3 cup cashews
1/2 tbsp coconut oil
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes (plus more for topping)
1/3 cup cacao nibs
2 scoops of Vital Proteins collagen peptides
Directions:
Add almonds and cashews into a food processor or blender and blend until the mixture becomes a fine powder
Add your dates, coconut oil, coconut flakes and collagen peptides
Blend until a dough like consistency is formed
Add in your cacao nibs and mix in well with a spoon or your hands
Scoop out the dough into balls about the size of a ping pong
Roll the balls in the unsweetened coconut flakes for topping
Refrigerate and enjoy!
If you’re like me and need a little something to satisfy your sweet tooth – try these! You’ll feel a lot less guilty grabbing one of these over a cookie late at night. Not to mention they’re a lot less calories!
xx,
Erin