Mindfully Eat These Delicious, Nutritious Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Balls

Chocolate peanut butter balls! Slow down and love the heck out of these chewy, chocolatey balls of peanut butter deliciousness!

Put Your Best Fork Forward!

chocolate peanut butter balls grabbed in bowlYou’re going to love these chewy, chocolatey balls of peanut butter deliciousness! Only a metaphorical fork is needed.

Today’s post is about the “eating fork.” Put your best fork forward is the theme for National Nutrition Month®, which is sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. I last wrote about the “cooking fork” and ways to make healthful food actually taste delicious. Be sure to check out the “pitchfork” too.

The Eating Fork

The eating fork signifies eating with intention and care. I want eating to be the event – not something we squeeze in between two other events. No tossing a meal down as quickly as possible, and no eating in the car. Use that fork, which is nearly impossible to do if you’re eating while driving or otherwise racing to finish a meal. There’s so much mindless eating and rapid eating going on. And they result in too many calories and too little pleasure – so what’s the point! You can put your best fork forward  – real or metaphorical – by sitting down to eat and by focusing on the tastes, textures, aromas, pleasure and fullness sensations.

Eat Mindfully

My challenge for you is to pick at least two meals or snacks this week to practice eating with intention or mindfulness. Really pay attention to your food – why you chose to eat it; what it looks like; how it smells; what you expect it to taste like; how it actually tastes; and how the taste, texture and temperature change in your mouth as you chew. Notice how it makes you feel, what you like and don’t like, how your hunger and appetite change.

You don’t actually need to eat with a fork. Enjoy soup with a spoon or a sandwich with your fingers. In fact, in honor of National Nutrition Month®, my gift to you is this recipe for delicious chocolate peanut butter oat balls, a dessert with benefits. No actual fork needed.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls in Hand

It’s wonderful when your daughter can be your hand model

These chocolatey balls of peanut butter deliciousness are perfect for a snack or dessert.Click To Tweet

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Balls

These are so delicious and chocolatey that you'd never guess that fruit is a primary ingredient. For the most health benefits and to get the flavanols in dark chocolate, choose cocoa powder that has not been Dutched or treated with alkali.
4.67 from 3 votes
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Course: Dessert with Benefits
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 25 balls
Calories: 70kcal
Author: Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, FAND

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pitted medjool or deglet nor dates (4.5 ounces)
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 6 tablespoons natural peanut butter, creamy style (3.5 ounces)
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats (2 ounces)
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips, preferably dark chocolate

Instructions

  • Using a food processor, process the dates and raisins until they become a sticky mass.
  • Add the remaining ingredients and process until just mixed. You will see pieces of the oats and chocolate chips.
  • With damp hands, form about 25 1-inch balls (each weighing about 15 grams).
  • That's it! Store them in a sealed container at room temperature or the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ball | Calories: 70kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.8g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 13mg | Fiber: 1g

I love fruit and adore chocolate. If you do too, you’ll like this dessert with benefits too.

Jill-Weisenberger_about-image-2
Jill Weisenberger

I'm Jill, and I believe simple changes in your mindset and health habits can bring life-changing rewards. And I don't believe in willpower. It's waaaay overrated. As a food-loving registered dietitian nutritionist, certified diabetes care and education specialist and certified health and wellness coach, I've helped thousands of people solve their food and nutrition problems. If you're looking for a better way to master this whole healthy eating/healthy living thing or if you're trying to prevent or manage diabetes or heart problems, you'll find plenty of resources right here.

Leave a Reply

6 Comments

  1. Aaron Goodman on March 8, 2017 at 3:59 pm

    Wow this recipe is amazing cant wait to try these delicious delights

    • Jill Weisenberger on March 8, 2017 at 4:02 pm

      Thank you! I think you’ll like them – delicious and easy to make. Please let me know.

  2. Janice on January 18, 2022 at 4:09 pm

    Really good!

    • Jill Weisenberger on January 18, 2022 at 4:52 pm

      So glad to hear that Janice. I really like them too. And so easy!

  3. Liz on March 23, 2022 at 10:41 am

    I can do dates, but totally hate raisins. Is there a replacement for them?

    • Jill Weisenberger on March 23, 2022 at 10:55 am

      I haven’t tried it, but think using more dates in place of the raisins will work. Some people like golden raisins, but I prefer the others.

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Hi there! I'm Jill, a nutrition & diabetes expert and the author of 4 books.

Jill Weisenberger

I believe simple changes in health habits can bring you life-changing rewards.

And I believe willpower is way overrated.

Right here is where you can discover the mindset and habits to stick with healthy lifestyle choices most of the time - and drop the guilt when you don't.

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