Preparation period of next season is upon us and having the proper nutrition and fuel for your training sessions is equally, if not more, important than the hours spent sweating. Here are a few snack ideas that provide sustained energy to get you through your next workout. 

• 1 ripe banana
• 2 cups pure pumpkin puree
• 1/2 tsp ginger powder or fresh grated ginger
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 2 cups oat flour (can make your own by food processing regular oats)
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon 
• 1-1.5 cup frozen berries of choice (I use blueberries) (optional- these aren't in the original recipe but I think they're a great addition)

Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine all ingredients. Personally, I use a food processor to blend the banana and oats and then fold in the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl. If you don't have a food processor, buy store bought oat flour and mash the banana by hand. Pour into glass pan or muffin tins and bake 20-25 min (~20 min for muffins and ~25 min for sheet cake). Test with toothpick to see if it comes out clean. Can store in the refrigerator for up to a week and freezer for up to a month. 

Serve plain or with a topping of peanut or nut butter to keep you full for hours! 

Photo credit: Plant You (original photo here)

PB&J Energy Balls 

 Recipe courtesy of Choosing Chia

• 1 cup pitted Medjool dates (about 15)
• 1 cup oats
• 1/4 cup ground flax seeds
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup peanut butter or nut butter of your choice (chunky or smooth)
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon 
• pinch of salt 
• Jam or jelly of your choice for center (I use raspberry jam)

1. Add 1 tsp dollops of jam to a parchment lined backing sheet and place in freezer for 2 hours.

2. Add all other ingredients to a food processor and combine. Add another date or two if mixture is not sticky when combined. 

 3. Scoop mixture with hands to form a disk (this recipe makes about 12-15 balls) then place a frozen jam dollop in the center and fold the date mixture around the jam and roll into a ball. Repeat for all 12-15 energy balls. 

4. Store in the refrigerator in an air tight container. 

Bars:

• 3/4 cup tahini (room temp)  
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract 
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 2 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup cacao nibs
• 1/4 cup hemp seeds

Topping:

• 3/4 cup chopped bittersweet chocolate
• 1 tbsp raw coconut oil 
• 1 1/2 tbsp cacao nibs (for topping)
• 1 1/2 tbsp toasted white and black sesame seeds (for topping)
• flaky sea salt - optional (for topping)

See how to make and assemble the bars here.

 

Photo credit: Kale & Caramel (original photo here)

We'd love to hear about your favorite on-hill snacks! Comment on this post or email us at info@syncperformance.com and we'll add your recipe to this blog post!