Chocolate Coconut Energy Bars

Its’ confession time again, friends!

Since my running mileage has gone from 40+ miles a week during marathon training to a big ol’ zero right now, it’s taken some time for my mind (and belly) to realize that I don’t need the same amount of fuel. For the month of June, I continued to eat like I was training hard. Eating whatever I wanted. A month of over indulging in sweets and cravings of anything salty like chips and crackers. There was also a lot of “eating my feelings”  – mad about the results of the marathon, not being able to run afterwards and major stress from work. While I was still working out, it wasn’t the same intensity as running. Hence, I wasn’t torching as many calories. At the end of the month, I began to feel it. Lethargic, bloated, feeling blah and not like myself.

Not really the reason I love to run but it sure does help!

It was time to reign it it. Something had to change.

So I’m watching portion sizes. Staying away from mindless snacks and curbing the sugar which has been a little over the top. It’s so very true, you can’t out work a bad diet.

You’re probably wondering…what does this have to do with the title of the post?

After having a major craving for something sweet and chocolatey over the weekend, rather than grabbing a handful of dark chocolate chips (followed by another) I ended up in the kitchen experimenting. I wanted to come up with a snack/energy bar that didn’t have any added sugar, was full of real food but still gave me a chocolate fix. I love dates for their natural sweetness so I built on from there. (I ended up adapting from THIS recipe).

I give you Chocolate Coconut Energy Bars!

Chocolate Coconut Energy Bars - happyfitmama.com

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Chocolate Coconut Energy Bars
 
Ingredients
  • 1½ cups dates
  • 2 cups almond meal
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ cup unsweetened dried coconut
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp sea salt
Instructions
  1. Soak dates in warm water for approximately 2 hours.
  2. Drain dates and place in a food processor with almond meal, coco powder, dried coconut, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and sea salt.
  3. Blend till mixture begins to clump together.
  4. Place mixture in a parchment lined baking pan (8x8).
  5. Spread out evenly.
  6. Place in freezer for 3 hours.
  7. Slice into 12 bars.

The result? Ooeey gooey chocolate yumminess! An added bonus is that theses are no bake and are cold. Perfect for the hot, humid summer days when turning on the oven is not even an option.

Enjoy!

Side note: I have my first physical therapy appointment for my foot/ankle today. Fingers crossed we get to the bottom of this mysterious inflammation and correct it.

How do you reign yourself in after over indulging?

Sweet or salty? What do you crave more of?

41 comments on “Chocolate Coconut Energy Bars”

  1. Ooh – I did this – I carried on eating what I normally did when I was injured/not running, and I’m sure my waist has grown a couple of inches! I’m sure (well, hoping anyway!) it will disappear now I’m back running. Then I can try your delicious sounding Chocolate Coconut Energy Bars!
    Sherry recently posted..Preventing my ITB ProblemMy Profile

  2. Those look amazing! Want now. BTW, where do you find unsweetened coconut? I can’t seem to find it anywhere.

    I know exactly what you are saying about getting caught up with too much food and then having to fix that post training. I always joke that doing an Ironman messed me up for life!
    misszippy1 recently posted..Vacation training truthsMy Profile

  5. Thanks for sharing this recipe – these look great. I love no-bake dessert options!

    I definitely crave both sweet and salty snacks so I really need to watch my portions 🙂 When I’m training a lot I tend to lean more towards saltier foods though, and just small portions of dark chocolate to get my sweet fix.
    Gina Bhawalkar recently posted..Movie Review: Town of RunnersMy Profile

  8. Can’t wait to make these! Thanks for sharing!!

    I’m guilty of the same thing….only I have been overindulging after being totally sidelined from an injury. I’ve been punishing myself with food, at a time when I should really be watching myself, since I was unable to do any physical activity.
    The good news is, now that I am back to working out, and slowly running again (yay!), my healthy appetite has returned, and I find it really easy to eat better.

  24. The brownies look so good except for the coconut 🙂

    The lethargic kind of yuck feeling is the kick in the pants I usually need to getting back on track with eating.

    I’m sure I read about it but can’t remember. What problems are you having with your foot? I have an annoying “feeling” in my heal that I’m a little worried about and it doesn’t quite fit anything specific symptom wise.
    Jill @ Fitness, Health and Happiness recently posted..Runners, Stop Stretching!My Profile

    1. My foot pain occurs when I run, do plyometrics or have been standing for a long time. It’s on the outside and wraps around my ankle. I don’t really call it pain but more of an ache. The pain can’t be reproduced at all by pushing anywhere. Very weird.

  30. Sorry to hear about the inflammation – although selfishly as I’m injured and not running right now it feels good to know I’m not the only one having running withdrawals and forgetting to eat better. Is it just me or is it easier to eat better when I’m active and harder to eat right when I’m not able to run and feeling sorry for myself!?

    Anyway, I love the recipe! Just can’t forget sugar is sugar. Even though dates have natural sugar it’s still a TON OF SUGAR. Still have to consume with caution.
    Running Hutch recently posted..RTY: July Sweat ChallengeMy Profile

  32. The chocolate coconut energy bars look awesome! I’ve never ventured into making my own bars, but these might make me change my mind. I’m tired of scrutinizing the ingredients of all of the bars at the supermarket to find the ones with the least amount of sugar and chemicals within. I’m going to give your recipe a try, although I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen dates around my area at the stores.

  33. Pingback: 4 Easy Recipes with Dates | Thrive Personal Fitness

  34. These sound delicious!! Do you have any suggestions on what to use in place of the almond meal for those with nut allergies?

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