Making your own energy balls is quick and super easy, they act as a great snack when your stomach needs an extra boost. Most energy balls have a combination of protein, carbohydrates, fibre and healthy fats which make them the perfect pick me up throughout the day.
The Benefits and Best Time to Eat an Energy Ball
Each ball offers you between 100-250 calories depending on the ingredients, which means they are great for pre and post gym. If you want sustained maximum energy take an energy ball just before you hit the gym, as the proteins and carbohydrates help build lean muscle, boost energy (as they suggest) and keep your weight in check.
They can also act as a replenishing snack after the gym, this is mainly due to the protein that helps repair your muscles after a vigorous workout.
Snacking between meals is a big contributor to weight gain, especially when we grab something that's quick and unhealthy. Often these unhealthy snacks tend to only fill ‘that hole’ temporarily, which makes us go on the hunt for more snacks. When you eat an energy ball you're getting all the right nutrients your body craves when it gets hungry, which helps keep you content for longer. Not to mention snacking on these is guilt free and completely delicious.
When you're at work who finds at around 3 pm you start to decrease in productivity? This time of day usually causes a lot of people to have limited energy because we start to get tired and sometimes even stressed.
Now, we are not saying an energy ball will get rid of all the stress at work, but if you tend to feel tired around this time, then it’s your body saying I need some energy. Grab an energy ball, as their quick and easy to eat if your rushed of your feet, but don’t forget to have a big gulp of water too! As we often forget to rehydrate ourselves after lunch.
These little balls of goodness are super easy to make and are easily portable, which makes them a great snack on the go.
Delicious Recipe Ideas
All of these recipes require you too:
- Blend all the ingredients together so it forms a very thick paste
- Roll small handfuls into balls
- Place in an airtight container in the fridge
- Voila! That's how quick they are to make
Chocolate Banana Energy Balls
(102 kcal/per ball)
- 2 Bananas
- 2 tsp Chia seeds
- 30g Oats
- 20g Almonds
- A handful of Chocolate chips
- Coconut flakes to decorate
Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls
(106 kcal/per ball)
If you love nuts this ones a winner!
- 30g Pumpkin
- 20g Walnuts
- 25g Pitted Dates
- 15g Peanuts
- 15g Almonds
- 20g Raisins
- 1 and a half tsp of Cinnamon
Chia Seed Energy Balls
(96 kcal/per ball)
- 25g Green tea powder
- 20g Chia seeds
- 20g Cashew nuts
- 25g Coconut oil
- Coconut flakes to decorate
Acai Energy Balls
(85 kcal/per ball)
- 30g Acai powder
- 20g Almonds
- 25g Pitted Dates
- 25g Coconut oil
- Coconut flakes to decorate
FAQs
Why Should You be Eating Homemade Energy Balls
Is it okay to eat raw oats in energy balls? ›
Sure can! Oats are completely fine to eat raw. They add a chewy texture to the energy balls and the peanut butter and honey will slightly soften them the longer they sit.
How many energy balls can I eat a day? ›
These 4-ingredient protein balls have about 128 calories so you should only eat 2 of these as part of a healthy amount of calories and fat. Keep in mind that you need to consider all the foods consumed in a day and keep it within the acceptable range for your height and weight.
What are the benefits of nutrition balls? ›
THEY'RE HIGH IN PROTEIN
With the inclusion of protein powder plus other protein-rich ingredients such as nut butters, nuts, seeds and a variety of other ingredients, protein balls make for a great protein-packed snack and delicious treat.
Are protein balls good for weight loss? ›
Protein balls (or bliss balls, if you prefer) are great on-the-go snack if you're trying to eat healthily or looking to lose weight. Filled with fiber-rich and protein-packed ingredients like oats, dates and nuts, they'll keep you fuller for longer – plus you don't need protein powder to make them.
Why are protein balls good for athletes? ›
Protein balls are perfect for athletes. They are quick and easy to consume but pack a mean punch of the nutrients they need to maintain stamina.
Why is it OK to eat raw oats? ›
Raw oats are nutritious and safe to eat. As they're high in the soluble fiber beta-glucan, they may aid weight loss and improve your blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and heart and gut health. They're also easy to add to your diet.
Why do bodybuilders eat raw oats? ›
Because oats are a great source of healthy carbohydrates, protein and fiber, they can be an excellent addition to your bodybuilding diet to help repair muscles and spur growth. Oats are also complex carbohydrates that take a long time to digest, providing you with steady energy for a longer period of time.
Why eat energy balls? ›
The Benefits and Best Time to Eat an Energy Ball
They can also act as a replenishing snack after the gym, this is mainly due to the protein that helps repair your muscles after a vigorous workout. Snacking between meals is a big contributor to weight gain, especially when we grab something that's quick and unhealthy.
What are energy balls made of? ›
ENERGY BALL BASE:
1 1/4 cups old fashioned rolled oats you can also swap quick oats or a blend of half quick, half old fashioned. 2 tablespoons “power mix-ins” chia seeds, flaxseeds, hemp seeds, or additional rolled oats. 1/2 cup nut butter of choice peanut butter is my go-to.
Refrigerated energy bites will last up to 2 weeks in the fridge. They do begin to dry out, so just keep an eye on them. I'll be honest though, ours have never last that long as our whole family gobbles them up!
When should you eat protein balls? ›
You can eat our delicious peanut butter protein balls anytime day or night, but they can be especially useful if you eat them in conjunction with certain daily activities. Pre-Gym: Have a protein ball or two right before your workout for an extra energy boost so you can go further and longer.
What vitamins are in energy balls? ›
Energy Balls, pre-workout
| Nutrition Facts |
|---|
| How much Thiamine is in Energy Balls? Amount of Thiamine in Energy Balls: Thiamine 0.1mg | 4% |
| How much Riboflavin is in Energy Balls? Amount of Riboflavin in Energy Balls: Riboflavin 0.1mg | 4% |
| How much Niacin is in Energy Balls? Amount of Niacin in Energy Balls: Niacin 1.3mg | 7% |
69 more rowsChia seeds are an excellent source of fiber, which can improve heart health, reduce cholesterol levels and promote intestinal health. Fiber takes longer to digest and makes you feel satisfied longer, which is how it can help with weight loss and decrease your risk of developing diabetes or heart disease.
Does protein lower belly fat? ›
Eat a high protein diet
Protein also raises your metabolic rate and helps you to retain muscle mass during weight loss ( 13 , 14 , 15 ). Many observational studies show that people who eat more protein tend to have less abdominal fat than those who eat a lower protein diet ( 16 , 17 , 18 ).
Can you eat too many protein balls? ›
Eating too many protein balls in one sitting can lead to bloating, gas, and other digestive issues.In addition, consuming excessive amounts of protein can put a strain on your kidneys. Protein is broken down into waste products that the kidneys must filter out of the blood and excrete through urine.
Do protein balls go bad? ›
TO STORE: Refrigerate protein balls for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container. TO FREEZE: Freeze protein balls for up to 3 months or longer (if they are airtight, you can freeze them practically indefinitely).
Are protein balls good for cholesterol? ›
Oat Energy Balls
This is because beta-glucan forms a gel-like substance in the intestines that binds to cholesterol, preventing its reabsorption into the bloodstream. 2 To reap this incredible benefit, consider making a batch of these High-Protein Lemon-Blueberry Energy Balls, containing 7 grams of protein per serving.
Are protein balls good before workout? ›
Due to the natural high sugars in protein balls, they can also be consumed as a pre-workout snack around 30 minutes before exercise to give you that energy boost you need to really achieve your fitness goals.
Why do athletes eat protein foods? ›
Not only does eating protein help prevent muscle breakdown, but it can also help build muscles. Combining regular activity and exercise with protein intake promotes muscle growth. High-quality proteins contain all the essential amino acids and are rich in branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs).
If you are using rolled or instant oats, then, yes, it is OK to put raw oats in your smoothie. These types of oat have been pre-cooked already via light steaming and toasting. On the other hand, whole oats need to be cooked for 20-30 minutes first before adding them unless you want hard bits of oats in your drink.
Can you put uncooked oats in a protein shake? ›
Raw oats are fine to put in a protein shake if you want and have no digestion issues, but taste may be best when soaked in water, milk, or juice first. And keep in mind that if you want to eat raw oats, it is better to choose rolled oats that have been steamed and are safer to eat.
Can I eat raw oats with yogurt? ›
Combine raw oats with milk or yogurt, fruits, nuts and seeds. Let it sit in the fridge overnight for a quick and nutritious breakfast. We've got a tasty recipe inspired by apple pie below. (Click through for more insight on why overnight oats are a healthy breakfast choice.)
Can you eat uncooked oats with milk? ›
Yes you totally can eat uncooked Quaker oats. ... I eat a lot of oats in every serving, just add oats milk and a little water in a bowl leave it for 5 minutes and it's ready. Or you can simply blend it in a blender to make oats shake, if you're in a hurry and don't have time for breakfast.
