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A Snack with some Bite

Written by Staff Reporter

Thursday, 22 April 2010

I'm going to spend tomorrow at a marketing training course and am looking forward to learning loads of new information. However, I find on days like tomorrow, I have very little choice as to what foods I can eat as I'll be in a training centre or hotel all day. It's on those days that I'd advise you to take a little something in your bag to keep you going.

Snacks in Ireland generally involve two things: a cup of tea/coffee and a biscuit. Although these may taste nice in the short term, as a result, we tend to crash, feel even more tired and even start craving sweeter foods in another hour or so. This is because sugar (in the form of biscuits) and caffeine (in the form of tea or coffee) are short term stimulants that don't keep the body going for long.

So on days like tomorrow, I'll bring the little snack below with me. These energy bars are packed full of goodness and will keep your energy levels up till your next meal. The oats and wholemeal flours are considered wholegrain carbohydrates, i.e. they will take the body a long time to break down and keep the hunger at bay for longer.

The nuts and seeds are great sources of fibre and essential fatty acids which keep the body healthy and I'm using sweet flavours such as coconut, maple syrup and cinnamon rather than sugar – this really is an ideal snack and so easy to bring to work or if you are out on the road.

Food for Living's Energy Bars

150 g rolled oats
75 g raisins
50 g pumpkin seeds
50 g sunflower seeds
15 g sesame seeds
50 g wholemeal flour
40 g desiccated coconut
100 ml extra virgin olive oil
40 ml maple syrup
1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Preheat oven to 180oC.

Place all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix very well. Make sure all of the oats are covered in the oil and maple syrup. Place on a baking tray (about 9*12) and pack in tightly with dampened fingers. Place in over for 35 mins or until starting to brown. Enjoy!

Check out the 'What's Coming Up' section of www.foodforliving.ie for my 'Lose Weight for Summer Cookery Course' over 2 evenings in May.

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