Low-Carb and Keto Snack Ideas: Energy and Fat Balls
The keto diet is based on a process called ketosis. During ketosis, your body is depleted of carbohydrates and begins to use fat — both dietary fat and body fat — as energy. To give your body what it needs to function properly, the keto diet is centered around high-fat, moderate-protein and low-carb meals and snacks.
One of the best snack foods to keep your body in a state of ketosis are fat balls. Sounds yummy, right? Don’t let the attractive name of this keto snack idea fool you. Fat balls are delicious and packed with healthy fats that fill you up while satisfying any food cravings — especially sugar cravings. Every keto fat ball recipe starts with a blend of nut butter, coconut oil, MCT oil and/or butter. To that base, you can add flaxseed or additional seeds, then flavor with your choice of sweet tasting spices such as cinnamon, unsweetened vanilla, cardamom and/or a pinch of sea salt.
Since a true keto diet is a full-time diet commitment and not suitable for everyone, we wanted to give you a taste of some of our 8fit energy balls first. Find all of these snack recipes in the 8fit recipe book.
Healthy energy ball recipes from the 8fit app
These three wholesome energy ball recipes have a healthy balance of carbs, fat and protein. They’re designed to keep you energized while also keeping cravings at bay. Each recipe contains all the good stuff like nutrients, fiber and slow-burning carbs for energy that lasts the entire day – or at least until your next meal time.
Another perk is that they are easy to make and a convenient snack to take on-the-go. We recommend making them in advance and keeping them in the fridge until it’s time to grab a couple.
Lemon poppy seed energy balls
The jury’s still out on whether or not poppy seeds cause you to fail a drug test, but what we do know is that they’ll give you strength and structure. Nutrients like phosphorus and calcium help strengthen your bones while manganese produces collagen, a protein that protects those bones.
Chocolate-mint energy balls
Chocolate not only tastes like fairies tap dancing on our taste buds, it also has mood and health-enhancing benefits. We recommend buying chocolate with at least 80% cacao, which has more muscle-relaxing magnesium and connective tissue-supporting copper than milk or white chocolate varieties.
Tahini chocolate bites
You’ll be a lean, mean tahini machine with these energy bites. One of the main ingredients, tahini, is made from sesame seeds that contain healthy oils and the amino acid, tryptophan, which can help your body make the happy neurotransmitter serotonin.
Easy keto snack recipes: Three different fat balls
Whether you’re ready to commit to keto living or simply want to try a new satisfying snack, here are some of our favorites. Lee From America uses her skills to spice up these pumpkin fat balls. She adds warming ginger and nutmeg to soothe your belly and soul. Mindbodygreen features mint chip fat bombs which, dare we say, drop a major flavor bomb with exotic macadamia nut butter as an ingredient. Finally, holistic nutritionist Natalie Brady created coconut fat balls with brain enhancing omega-3 from chia and walnuts.
Coconut Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried dates
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- ½ cup cashew nuts
- 1 orange (for zest and 1-2 Tbsp juice)
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Method
- Grate orange with a zester and set aside the zest.
- Cut the orange in half to juice, set aside juice.
- Remove pits from dates (if not already pitted) and place in a blender or food processor; process until they are finely chopped.
- Set aside ¼ cup of the shredded coconut.
- Add the rest of the shredded coconut, cashews, orange zest and vanilla extract and process for a further 1-2 minutes until well combined.
- Melt the coconut oil and orange juice in a saucepan or microwave and add it to the mixture. Combine well for 30 seconds. If it’s too dry and not easy to roll, squeeze a little bit of orange juice into the mix.
- Using your hands, form a ball out of about one tablespoon of mixture.
- Place the shredded coconut in a small dish, and gently roll the balls in the coconut to cover entire surface. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Enjoy immediately, and or keep stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
Keep in mind that although these energy and fat balls contain wholesome ingredients, they have a high-calorie count per serving and are meant to be enjoyed in moderation – one or two at a time is enough.
