Tasty Tuesday- Powerful Popcorn

Popcorn is one of the healthiest snacks you can eat and polyphenols are the reason why. Polyphenols are a type of chemical found in plant food that help neutralize free radicals, which damage your cells and contribute to rapid aging. Popcorn has one of the highest levels of polyphenols of any plant food – including most fruit! Air-popped popcorn is low-fat, has only 30 calories per cup, and comes with a boost of fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals.

 The health benefits of popcorn include its ability to regulate blood sugar, lower cholesterol levels, improve the digestive process, protect against osteoporosis, prevent cancer due its it anti-oxidant property, inhibit cognitive decline, prevent premature aging, and help you lose weight.

Adding to all these health and nutritional benefits popcorn is a delicious comfort snack for food cravings. So I would definitely suggest trying a recipe based out of popcorn which can be quick and easy to make, moreover it can be a high energy evening snack.

Popcorn Energy Bites

Makes 12 large bites

Total Time: 20 minutes

A "ball" of energy!

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup of Pop Corn Kernels

1 cup of dried apricots

1/4 cup of cashew butter

1/4 cup of almond milk

1/4 cup of maple syrup

2 tbsp of coconut oil

2 tbsp of flaxseed meal

1 scoop of vanilla protein powder

1 tsp of vanilla extract

Pinch of Himalayan salt

DIRECTIONS 

Pop the popcorn, remove any unpopped kernels and set aside.

In a food processor, process the dried apricots until they are finely chopped. Add the cashew butter, coconut oil, almond milk, maple syrup, salt and vanilla extract. Pulse until a liquefied paste forms. Add the protein powder, flax seed meal and 4 cups of popped popcorn. Pulse for 5 seconds until the popcorn just breaks down a bit.

 Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and with a spatula incorporate all the ingredients.

With your hands, break the remaining 2 cups of popcorn into finer pieces. This will take you just 5-10 seconds. Form balls with the popcorn mixture and dip into the broken popcorn pieces. Transfer popcorn balls to a plate and continue to form balls until you finish your mixture.

Store popcorn balls in your fridge for up to 2-3 days or in your freezer for up to a month.

Recipe compliments of Eat Good 4 Life.

Check in every Tuesday, for more interesting nutritional packed ingredients.