Chocolate-Covered Almond-Coconut Bars Recipe

With the long weekend of Easter eggs, hot-cross buns, and long family lunches behind us, many Aussies are getting back to routine this week with their health and wellbeing.

Making healthy choices during a holiday period can be more challenging, but for those wanting to keep track of what they’re eating – portion sizes are key.

As we return to routine, the number one global nutrition and food tracking app, MyFitnessPal is encouraging Aussies to be informed on portion sizes as new research reveals less than a quarter (24%) of us are paying attention to portion sizes. 

When it comes to eating a balanced diet, Aussies could be over-eating as less than one-third (24%) think portion sizes are important, according to research from MyFitnessPal. In fact, over one-third (38%) of Australians admit to rarely even reading the recommended serving sizes on a food package nutrition label. 

Rather than measuring ingredients or tracking their food intake, time-poor home cooks are relying on eyeballing (i.e. guessing) their portions, with 40% saying they use this method.  A third of Aussies (34%) surveyed said they find it challenging to determine the appropriate portion sizes when they are cooking or eating.

“As we return to our regular eating habits, it’s important to continue to be mindful of what we’re eating and how it impacts our health.  Weighing and measuring your food can be a challenge but tracking your food intake for even just a few days or a week can provide valuable insight into the portion sizes that are right for you and with this knowledge, you can make more informed decisions.” said Katie Keil, Chief Marketing Officer at MyFitnessPal.

Chocolate-Covered Almond-Coconut Bars Recipe

Ingredients

1/2 cup (125ml) canned coconut cream (not coconut milk)
3 dates, pitted and chopped
2 tablespoons, plus 2 teaspoons coconut oil, melted, divided
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
3 cups (240g) unsweetened shredded coconut flakes
1/4 cup (28g) whole roasted almonds, chopped
6 ounces (170g) dark chocolate, chopped

Method

1. Line a standard loaf pan (4 1/2-by-8 1/2 inches/11cm-by-21cm) with plastic wrap, letting excess hang over the sides. Put the coconut cream, dates, 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, vanilla, and salt in a food processor and puree until the dates are smooth.
2. Add the coconut flakes and pulse until the mixture is combined and begins to clump together, about 30, 1-second pulses. 
3. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and tamp down with the bottom of a measuring cup or spoon, so it’s firmly and evenly pressed into the pan. Freeze until firm, about 30 minutes.
4. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate with the remaining 2 teaspoons of coconut oil. Microwave on high for 1 minute, stir, and then microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between intervals , until the mixture is smooth, about 90 seconds total. Alternatively, melt the chocolate with the coconut oil in a bowl set
   over simmering water on the stove.
5. Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove the coconut mixture from the loaf pan and place it on a cutting board. Cut the loaf crosswise into 8 slices. Cut each slice in half to make 16 pieces. 
6. Put a piece of the coconut mixture into the melted chocolate and flip with a fork to coat. Let excess chocolate drip back into the bowl and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. 
7. Sprinkle almonds over the top of the bar. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
8. Refrigerate until the chocolate sets, about 30 minutes. Store the coconut bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Serves: 16 | Serving Size: 1 bar

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 206; Total Fat: 18g; Saturated Fat: 13g; Monounsaturated
Fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 42mg; Carbohydrate: 12g; Dietary Fiber: 3g; Sugar: 6g;
Protein: 2g

About MyFitnessPal

MyFitnessPal is the number 1 global nutrition and food tracking app. Since 2005, MyFitnessPal has empowered over 200 million users in over 120 countries to achieve their health and well-being goals through logging food intake, recording exercise activity, and tracking their wellness habits.

MyFitnessPal is on a mission to support Australians to manage their health goals on their own terms. Through personalised data-led insights, nutritional guidance, and unwavering support, MyFitnessPal provides users with tools for positive, healthy change.