From the Kitchen of Dr. Bonnie Brock, NMD, RD, MPH
After menopause, women tend to lose bone density quickly and are far more likely than men to develop bone-weakening osteoporosis. A study, published in the October 2022 issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that eating five or six prunes a day helped women past menopause to preserve bone mineral density in their hips, which could translate to fewer bone breaks. The researchers, who tracked 235 older women for a year, speculated that the daily handful of prunes lowered inflammatory chemicals that contribute to bone breakdown.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cups almonds (slivered)
- 3/4 cups thick rolled oats
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (divided)
- 1/2 cup prunes
- 1/4 cup almond butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup cocoa nibs
- 2 tablespoons flaxseeds
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- Place almonds in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the almonds are coarsely chopped. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and add oats, 1/4 cup of shredded coconut, cacoa nibs, flax seeds, cinnamon and salt. Mix together.
- Add the prunes and 1-2 tablespoons of warm water to the bowl of a food processor. Mix until smooth. If the prunes aren’t breaking down, add more warm water, 1 teaspoon at a time and mix until smooth.
- Add cocoa powder, almond butter and honey. Pulse until fully blended together into a thick and sticky paste.
- Transfer the prune mixture to the mixing bowl with dry ingredients. Use a spatula or your hands to mix in until the ingredients are fully blended together.
- Use a 2 tablespoon sized cookie scoop to form ping pong sized energy balls. Roll the balls in remaining coconut to coat. Enjoy anytime you need an energy boost!
