Grain Free Cracker Recipe

It can be difficult to find crackers that are high in fibre and protein while low in sodium, but this recipe has the perfect balance of goodness! These crackers are grain free as they do not contain any flour and are also vegan with no milk or eggs, therefore they are a perfect gluten free, diary free and vegan alternative.   High in protein and essential fatty acids from the addition of linseed, almonds, sunflower, chia and sesame seeds, these crackers make a perfect healthy snack either eaten alone or with some home made hummus or avocado dip.

Ingredients

1 tbsp Chia seeds

60g Water

140g Almonds

15g Linseed – flax seed

30g Sunflower seeds

¼ tsp Himalayan sea salt

½ tsp Garlic powder

¼ or ½ tsp Chilli flakes

2 tbl Sesame seeds

Directions

Mix chia seeds with water in a bowl and allow to stand for approximately one hour. Preheat oven to 170°c and line a baking tray with non–stick baking paper.

Place almonds, linseed, sunflower seed, Himalayan sea salt, garlic powder, and chilli flakes into a food processor and process on high until small crumbs form. Add soaked chia seeds, which will now have a gel like consistency, and process on high until a dough forms, scrapping the sides if needed.

Using a spatula scrape the dough onto a sheet of non-stick baking paper, and place an additional sheet on top to prevent the rolling pin from sticking. Roll the dough to 2-3mm thickness. Remove the top sheet of baking paper and sprinkle dough with sesame seeds, gently pressing the seeds into the dough to ensure they stick. Using a bread knife or pizza cutter gently score the dough into cracker shapes approximately 4-5cm in length and spread apart to ensure the crackers are cooked evenly.

Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from oven and place on a cooling rack and allow to cool completely before serving.

Crunchy Protein Balls

The humble protein bite has been revamped to create the Crunchy Protein Balls recipe. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond or coconut flour
• 1 scoop protein powder
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds
• 1/4 cup chia seeds
• 1/4 cup cacao powder
• 1/2 cup nut butter
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil (liquid/melted)
• 2 - 3 tablespoons maple syrup or rice malt syrup

Directions 

1.  Combine all ingredients into a food processor and process until well  combined and in a crumbly, paste-type consistency. 2.  Scoop small spoonfuls and squeeze tightly in the palm of your hands then roll between the palms of your hands into a small ball shape. If your mixture crumbles add some more coconut oil 3.  Serve plain, or roll in sesame,  coconut flakes or chia seeds. 4.   Refrigerate and they will become firmer. Naed Nutrition    www.naednutrition.com.au

Raw Lemon Bliss Balls

These raw,vegan bliss balls are packed full of protein, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants. Ideal for a snack or a clean treat.

Makes: 12

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups of almond flour
• 1/3 cup coconut flour
• ½ tsp pink Himalayan sea salt
• 1 tbl of honey
• 2 large lemons
• 2 tsp of vanilla extract
• ¼ cup of coconut oil
• ½ cup desiccated coconut (to coat)

Method

1. Put all of the ingredients (except the desiccated coconut) into your thermomix until well combined 
2. Take out a table spoon at a time and roll into a ball – repeat to make 12 
3. Roll each ball into the desiccated coconut until coated and place on a tray. Repeat with all 12 and place into the fridge for 15minutes 
4. Serve immediately from the fridge

Snack Attack

It’s 3:30pm and you have the munchies, the dip in energy and your looking for a snack that won’t undo your awesome hour at the gym this morning, the very green smoothie you had for breakfast and that chicken salad for lunch you spent an hour preparing on the weekend. Rather than go for that cup of coffee and the chocolate bar try one of these high protein snacks to fuel your body & pack it full of nutrients that your taste buds will thank you for.

Why do we need to snack?

The reason for snacking (or for your second & fourth meal) is to stimulate metabolism, maximise nutrient intake whilst keeping portion control and keeping blood sugars at an appropriate level. This in turn allows for optimum energy levels, promotes good mood, muscle retention, fat loss and do much more.  Preventing your body from in taking food & nutrients for 5+ hours  slows your metabolism in order to conserve energy thus putting your body into ‘survival mode’ which then makes it more difficult to lose weight = storing fat + cravings for high fat & high sugar foods + poor digestion.

There are 3 categories of your snacks

K.I.S.S - these are your simple snacks that takes no time at all to prepare

Sweet Success – satisfying the sweet tooths

Seriously Savoury – the savoury lovers

K.I.S.S

• A piece of fruit + a handful of nuts & seeds 
• Crackers and ABC spread
• Boiled eggs and veggie sticks
• Crackers with avocado + cracked black pepper
• Cottage cheese with veggie sticks
• Protein Shake
• Pot Set yoghurt with chia seeds + berries

Sweet Success

High protein muffins

•  Ensure that the recipe has a good protein source (protein powder, nuts, seeds) & not too much sugar

Protein Bites

•  My old faithfuls. Absolutely MYO.

Smoothie

• This can be green, or a regular smoothie. They are normally a large protin so i would recommend 1/2 a serve as a snack

Nut bars

• Again
   Ensure that the recipe has a good protein source (protein powder, nuts, seeds) & not too much sugar

Frozen yoghurt pops

• Essential a frozen smoothie 

Seriously Savoury

Cucumber Cups

• A hollowed out cucumber filled with tun. You can swap the protein source for edamame beans, salmon

Snack frittatas

• essentially a mini omlette

Turkey Roll ups

•  fill a slice of turkey with any veggies you like and roll it up

Avocado dip with carrot sticks

• MYO!

Hummus dip with celery sticks

•  Homemade is best but you can get away with a store bought

Do you struggle with snacking? Contact Sinead at naednutrition@gmail.com to improve your snacking habits.