Registered Dietitian Shares The ‘Healthy Snickers’ Recipe You Should Make For Weight Loss: ‘Satisfies A Sweet Tooth’

Maintaining a healthy diet is crucial for overall well-being, weight management, and disease prevention. A balanced diet provides essential nutrients, supports bodily functions, and enhances energy levels. However, adhering to a healthy eating plan can be challenging, especially when cravings for sweets and snacks arise. Finding satisfying alternatives that do not compromise nutritional goals is key to long-term success and enjoyment of a healthy lifestyle.

Healthy snacks play a significant role in this balancing act. They can curb hunger, provide energy, and prevent overeating at meal times. Choosing nutrient-dense snacks can help satisfy cravings while contributing valuable vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to the diet. Luckily, Kelsey Kunik, RDN, known as @graciously.nourished on TikTok, recently shared innovative recipe for peanut Butter & chocolate stuffed dates, a.k.a. “healthy snickers,” offering a delightful and nutritious way to enjoy a sweet treat without the guilt.

Why “Healthy Snickers”?

Kunik explains, “Are these Snickers? No. But do they kind of taste like one and satisfy a sweet tooth using nutrient-dense foods? Yeah, they definitely do that.” This snack cleverly mimics the beloved candy bar’s flavors using healthier ingredients, making it a guilt-free indulgence.

Health Benefits

Kunik highlights the nutritional benefits of these bites: "I love that peanut butter has healthy fats and protein while the dates add a decent amount of fiber. All of which is incredibly satisfying." She emphasizes that while there's nothing wrong with enjoying an actual Snickers bar, this alternative offers a nutrient boost. "If you want a Snickers bar, by all means, eat a Snickers bar. But if you’re looking for a semi-nutrient-dense and incredibly delicious snack to keep stashed in your freezer, you have to make these."

Recipe: Peanut Butter & Chocolate Stuffed Dates

Ingredients:

• Dates
• Chocolate (either a bar or chips - dark or semi-sweet)
• Peanut Butter
• Peanuts

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dates : Slice the dates in half and remove the pits.
2. Add Peanut Butter : Fill each date half with a small smear of peanut butter.
3. Melt the Chocolate : Microwave your chocolate until melted, stopping to stir every 20 seconds.
4. Assemble : Drizzle the melted chocolate on top of the dates.
5. Finish with Peanuts : Crush peanuts and sprinkle them over the melted chocolate.
6. Store : Refrigerate or freeze the dates. Kunik recommends keeping a stash in the freezer for up to 3 months, although she notes, "mine never last more than a couple of weeks!"

Kunik sums up the appeal of this treat perfectly: "Instead of added sugars , these treats get their sweetness from dates, which also adds fiber and other nutrients. Peanut butter adds satisfying fat and protein, and the chocolate... We don’t need a reason to add that."

Whether you're trying to lose weight or just looking for a healthier snack option, these "Healthy Snickers" are a delicious and nutritious way to satisfy your sweet tooth.

READ MORE: 3 Healthy And Affordable Low-Calorie Meals To Make On A Budget