Community Voices for Health

By: Rachel Ventura 

I totally have a sweet tooth. I admit it. As someone living with Type 1 diabetes, and also someone who is trying to be healthy, a sweet tooth is a bad, bad thing. Luckily, with my amazing insulin pump, I am able to eat like a normal person, as long as I count my carbohydrates and bolus the correct amount of insulin. It’s not exactly a piece of cake for me to enjoy a piece of cake, hehe, but I am thankful that I can do so.

But even worse, in my opinion, is the effect of my sweet tooth on my healthy lifestyle. I’m not a believer in completely denying yourself of the things you love to eat. It just doesn’t work, but I also don’t think a nightly bowl of ice cream, and I’m talking every night, is something people should do either. And that’s exactly what I was doing. Every night.

When my hubby and I started on P90X3, and really eating healthier, I decided that I would make Sunday my rest day, and also my ice cream day. I would work really hard all week long to workout, eat healthy, and avoid temptations. On Sunday, I would not do a workout, and I would allow myself a treat. It made me feel good to eat that bowl of ice cream. I had earned it, I deserved it, and I enjoyed it!

The first 2 weeks were good. I avoided any and all temptations. They say once you cut certain things out of your diet, after a bit, you realize you really don’t need them and you stop craving them all together. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case for my sweet tooth and me. During week 3, I was started having a hard time holding out until Sunday. I needed something sweet. My nightly cup of fat free Greek yogurt with fruit was not cutting it. It was yummy, don’t get me wrong, but it wasn’t satisfying my craving for something sweet. What I needed was chocolate. I was weak.

I ran across this recipe, tweaked it a bit, and oh my goodness, it is just too good not to share! These little bites are not only amazingly delicious, but they’re also clean and nutritious! I don’t feel guilty eating these, and I feel good about giving them to my kids as a treat as well. It totally satisfies my sweet tooth and my entire family is in love with them! You can add ingredients or leave some out if you want, but whatever you do, make these. You’ll thank me. I promise.

No Bake Energy Bites

• 1 cup dry oats (I use Quick Oats, because we always have these in our pantry, but any will do)
• 2/3-cup unsweetened coconut
• 1/2-cup peanut butter (I use almond butter)
• 1/2-cup ground flax seed
• 1-tablespoon chia seeds
• 1-teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3-cup honey
• 1/3-cup dark chocolate chips
• 1/3-cup chopped walnuts
• 1/3-cup raisins

Stir all ingredients together until mixed. Cover and let chill in fridge for 30 minutes. Once chilled, roll into 1-inch balls. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 1 week.