Carolina Morning Segment: Avoid the holiday weight gain & Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn Balls Recipe

I had a lot of fun sharing my tips for avoiding the holiday weight gain with Siblia and Christy! Check out my top tips below, and scroll down to get the recipe from the show.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn Balls Recipe

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Why are dietitians so obsessed with snacking? Because snacks are amazing!

No really though, we love snacks because they help us reach our health goals! Snacks (especially during the holidays) can keep us from getting overly hungry before a meal, which can lead to over eating or bingeing on holiday sweets.

What’s the most important thing about snacking? That it incorporates both a carb + protein/good fat!

Repeat after me: carbs alone don’t keep you full!

This is why “healthy snacks” like an apple or a cup of berries doesn’t fill you up – but it’s also why goldfish don’t either (unless you eat the whole bag I guess). I love these Peanut Butter Chocolate Popcorn Balls because they’re not only festive, but it’s a snack the whole family will love! Have your kids help you with the assembly of each popcorn ball.

The popcorn gives you whole grains, and the peanut butter adds some good fats and protein to keep you fuller longer.

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn Balls

Yield: 10 Popcorn Balls

Ingredients:

  • 9 Cups Air Popped Popcorn (1/3 cup kernels)
  • 2 Tablespoons Dark Chocolate Chunks
  • 1/4 Cup Organic Honey
  • 1/4 Cup Natural Chunky Peanut Butter

Directions:

  1. Place the popcorn and chocolate chunks in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
  2. Heat a small sauce pan over medium-low heat. Add the honey and peanut butter and stir together with a spatula until heated and the honey starts to bubble.
  3. Remove from heat, and pour over the popcorn, using the spatula to scrape the sides of the sauce pan.
  4. Stir until all of the popcorn is well coated with the peanut butter mixture, and the chocolate chips start to melt.
  5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  6. Using your hands, form the mixture into 10 balls before the mixture cools. Set each one on the parchment paper.
  7. Place in the refrigerator to cool for 25-30 minutes, and enjoy!

This snack can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week!

Nutrition Facts (1 popcorn ball): 198 Calories, 8.1g Total Fat, 1.3g Saturated Fat, 0mg Cholesterol, 2mg Sodium, 28g Total Carbohydrate, 4.5g Fiber, 9g Sugar, 6.6g Protein

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