The Cacao and Chia protein balls resemble a much healthier version of a chocolate truffle. The taste is rich and chocolaty BUT there is no refined sugar. The chocolate flavour is naturally derived from the raw cacao. The difference between cocoa and cacao is that raw cacao is made by cold-pressing unroasted cocoa beans. The process keeps the living enzymes in the cocoa and removes the fat (cacao butter). Cocoa on the other hand has been roasted at high temperatures, which greatly changes the molecular structure of the cocoa bean, lowering the enzyme level and greatly reducing the overall nutritional value.
Funch’s Cacao and Chia protein balls sweetness is naturally derived from the dates that you add. You can reduce the amount of natural sugar by reducing the number of dates that you add. Other great ingredients that add to the nutrient punch that these little balls offer includes: rolled oats, desiccated coconut, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, chia seeds and raw pure pea protein.
Rolled oats are a particularly great slow release carbohydrate that can lower the bad cholesterol (LDL or low density lipoproteins) in the body.
Chia seeds have gained significant popularity in the last few years and rightly so! They are packed with nutrients including, omega 3 (for heart health and brain function), calcium (for strong bones), magnesium, iron, fibre and protein.
This combination of ingredients makes these Funch protein balls are great balanced snack to give both your brain and body long lasting energy. Mind morning or mid afternoon slumps be gone with these balls, and best of all it tastes like a treat!
Whilst I enjoyed my cacao and chia balls plain, I also experimented pressing some raw cacao nibs onto my rolled balls to give them an extra chocolaty crunch. Cacao nibs (like cacao powder) are sugar free and an excellent source of antioxidants which can assist with disease prevention.
