Breakfasts on the run or afternoon snacks – if you’re dealing with a hormone imbalance, you need to be prepared with nutrient-packed bars to not hijack your diet and support a healthy hormone production throughout the day.
Especially when your cortisol levels are high (especially when you’re under high levels), your body craves certain ingredients, like fats and sugars.
I try to always keep in hand home-made bars for those times when I can eat a whole jar of peanut butter or a whole chocolate tablet in a few minutes. I load them with dates to curb the sugar craving, fiber to keep me satiated and nut butters for a good dose of healthy fats.
Add some super-foods like bee pollen or maca powder, and you know you’re covered for those stressful times.
Oats are one of my favorite staple foods, given its overall nutritional value. They make for a great source of manganese, which in studies has been shown to reduce PMS symptoms of mood swings and stomach cramps.
Oats contain high levels of molybdenum, an often overlooked essential mineral, that helps to break down amino acids (like all those contained in bee pollen). You’ll also find copper, biotin and vitamin B1 in old fashioned rolled oats. This is great news for vegans, as we need to keep on top of our B vitamin levels!
Bee pollen is well known to assist in balancing high estrogen levels, which in turn reduces uncomfortable menstrual symptoms that often leaves you bed ridden, such as lower back pain.
Bee pollen is considered to be a superfood, with all nine essential amino acids, and up to 200 known active substances present! Now that’s pretty impressive for one single food source, and a sure fire way to boost your energy levels and banish fatigue.
All of the seeds that I’ve included in this recipe have significant health benefits. Sunflower seeds help to regulate mood, are antioxidant rich and promote healthy, glowing skin. They are rich in vitamin E, copper and manganese.
Flax seeds are equally as impressive, as they are brilliant sources of omega-3 essential fatty acids, usually derived from fish products. They help with digestive health, have been shown to prevent cancer cells from growing, and once again help balance hormone levels.
Peanut butter isn’t at all a guilty pleasure, especially if you are making it at home. Lightly roasting the raw peanuts and then processing them for 7-10 minutes with pauses results in a smooth butter that is way healthier than any intensive roasted peanuts one from the supermarket.
Peanuts are packed with protein and monounsaturated fats, the two things than you need to load your diet if you’re dealing a hormonal issue.
The manganese and copper are also present in high quantities – the two minerals involved in the natural detox processes, and so is resveratrol, the antioxidant responsible with the health of your cardiovascular system.
If you are a fan of energy bars, I have more delicious recipes for you: the Protein Bars with Chocolate and Maca, Chocolate Almond Butter Fudge Bars and Millet Chocolate Energy Bars.
Or you can try substituting peanut butter with pistachio butter in any of these recipes, for a flavor twist.
If you try any of these recipes don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @theawesomegreen so I can see them and share with the community!
Peanut Butter Granola Bars with Bee Pollen
Ingredients
- 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 tbsp bee pollen plus extra for garnishing
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/4 cup coconut flakes
- 1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup flax seeds
- 3 tbsp melted coconut oil
- 3/4 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup dry pitted dates soaked into purified water for at least 1 hr
- 1 tbsp raw cacao powder
- Pinch sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 175/347 F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and add the oats, flax, sunflower seeds and turmeric, drizzle 1 tbsp coconut oil and mix to combine.
- Roast for 15 minutes, then remove and transfer into a large bowl.
- In the food processor add the rest of the coconut oil, drained dates, peanut butter and salt, and mix to obtain a smooth mixture.
- Divide in half, then add one half to the oats bowl, together with the bee pollen and mix to incorporate.
- Transfer the mixture into a square pan and use a spoon to spread it into an even layer.
- Add the cacao to the rest of the peanut butter mixture, process to incorporate, then transfer it on top of the granola mix and spread into an even layer.
- Sprinkle with pollen granules, and press easily to combine.
- Refrigerate overnight then cut into bars and serve, or keep into an airtight glass container for up to one week.
Notes
Hi, the recipe doesn’t Sat when to add the coconut flakes.
You add them at step 5.
I was imaging more of an actually bar like in the picture but although I followed the recipe exactly I got a crumbled mess under the top layer. I imagine much more than a cup of dates is needed to make everything stick together? That’s what I recommend to anyone else trying this out. I do appreciate all the healthy ingredients and I thought maybe I’d use the crumbles as granola for yogurt.