Protein Bites

I’ve tried to step up my protein intake recently, in the hopes that I might actually start to build a little muscle from my weight workouts. So, I’ve been eating a Pure Protein Bar after most of my workouts, as my breakfast. My favorite is, not surprisingly, the Peanut Butter Chocolate.

These bars are only $1 each at Kroger, so you get a pretty big bang for your buck, including 20 grams of protein and only 2 grams of sugar. But still, you know how much I like to make things, so I decided to try making my own protein bites of some kind. And without doing too much research, I adapted this recipe from Women’s Running. Here’s my version:

Protein Bites (makes 18)

Ingredients:
2 cups rolled oats
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1/8 cup flax
1/4 cup pitted dates
1/4 cup unsweetened, shredded coconut
1/4 cup chocolate chips

Add 1 cup oats, agave, peanut butter, and coconut to a large mixing bowl and set aside. Next, place dates, 1 cup rolled oats, and flax in food processor. Pulse ingredients until dates and oats are finely chopped. Add processed mixture to ingredients in the large mixing bowl and blend until combined. Finally, add chocolate chips and stir until well mixed.

Refrigerate mixture for at least 30 minutes before scooping heaping teaspoonfuls into your hands to roll into small bites. Recipe yields approximately 18 bites. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 weeks.

Here’s the thing. They are delicious if you enjoy peanut butter and oats, but for what you are getting, they are way higher in fat and calories, while also way lower in protein, than the bars I was eating. So ultimately, I don’t think it’s worth it. Here is the side by side comparison.

One “Pure Protein” Bar:

Calories       200
Total Fat      6 g
Saturated      3 g
Cholesterol    10 mg
Sodium         200 mg
Total Carbs    16 g
Dietary Fiber  1 g
Sugars         2 g
Protein        20 g

Two Homemade Bites:

Calories       247
Total Fat      11 g
Saturated      3g
Cholesterol    0 g
Sodium         29 mg
Total Carbs    31 g
Dietary Fiber  5 g
Sugars         12 g
Protein        8 g

Final thought. Many of you might be saying, “well, there is health value in making something homemade, and knowing that it is not a processed food item.” Well it’s true, and I agree. But at the same time, I just can’t argue that a calorie is a calorie, and a gram of protein or fat is simply a gram of protein or fat. I also do not eat very many processed foods, beyond these protein bars, so I think I’m okay.

Anyway, if you want to have a go at it, let me know if you come up with some creative ways to boost the protein and lower the calories / fat (yes, I know, you can get rid of the chocolate, but what else). Happy Tuesday!!