Critical Cookbook: Protein Balls

When I saw this assignment, I was thinking about my favorite recipes and my favorite food and ingredients. I immediately thought about peanut butter, and then I thought: what I could actually make with it? After doing a little bit of research, I found a recipe of peanut butter and oatmeal protein energy bites. This is one of my favorite recipes because it’s so easy to make and you don’t even need to be in the kitchen bake them, and they are still delicious. This is the snack that you can just pop in your mouth on the go, and it will satisfy your hunger until your next meal. If you are someone that is always hungry like me, you will really appreciate this recipe. I don’t think you can name a better combination then chocolate and peanut better while feeling guilt-free, because this recipe is healthier than eating a candy bar. I chose to introduce this recipe to the class because it is fast and convenient but also has health benefits unlike the fast, processed food Americans are used to.

I decided to research more about the ingredients of the protein balls because I thought this recipe fell into the heathy foods movement we have been talking about in Eating American Literature. This recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free which has also been a very popular movement. This recipe also contributes to the raw food diet we are starting today. Throughout history, ancient cultures have eaten mostly plant-based diets. Even in ancient Greece, Hippocrates and Pythagoras were believed to have lead raw vegan lifestyles. “Let food by thy medicine and medicine thy food” Hippocrates said. Today we are starting to understand the importance of this message and the health benefits of raw foods. A raw food diet can increase your nutrient intake, your energy level and help you lose or maintain weight. Raw food contains enzymes which aid in digestion. These enzymes, which regulate the body’s metabolic processes, are thought to be destroyed when food is heated about 110-120 degrees Fahrenheit. Eating food without enzymes makes digestion more difficult, and the resulting toxicity is considered to be the cause of obesity and chronic diseases.

If you are a vegetarian, it might be hard to get protein into your diet because most protein comes from meat. Vegetarians are at a higher risk for missing out on important amino acids, since animal foods are considered “complete proteins”. These protein balls are a great way to incorporate protein into your diet, for building muscle and balancing hormones naturally. Proteins are considered long chains of amino acids, which are the important molecule we get from our diet. Proteins are used every single day to keep the body going, and to develop and grow just about every part of our body. According to the USDA, the recommended daily intake of protein for adults who are at an average weight is 56 grams for men and 46 grams for women. It is best to eat small amounts of protein throughout the day instead of a very large serving once or twice a day. Eating a protein ball as a snack throughout the day gives your body the right amount of protein it needs at any given time. Your body cannot store protein so eating it throughout the day would be a way to help balance your blood sugar level and fight off hunger.

While this dish may be healthy, I don’t know if Barbra Kingsolver would approve because I did not grow the ingredients in my backyard.  I do believe that Michael Pollan would approve because he believes that the American consumer is a “Republic of Fat.” If more people had access to quick, easy healthy recipes we wouldn’t have such a problem in the United States. As Pollan writes, “[t]hese days 19 percent of American meals are eating in the car.”(110) I don’t think that we can change the fast busy lives that Americans live, but we change the way they think and feel about the food they are eating. A quote that really stuck out to me in Michael Pollan’s book was “[y]et I wonder if it doesn’t make more sense to speak terms of an American paradox-that is, a notably unhealthy people obsessed by the idea of eating healthy” (3). I believe this quote to be a true statement because people do just like the idea of being healthy and once they find out it is healthy, organic, or gluten-free their food investigation stops there. Everyone in the United States is different and we can’t help everyone, but we can educate people on the importance of healthy food and recipes to help them make a change.

Most importantly, I believe we can still be a fast food eating culture but it can also be healthy. People are always complaining that they don’t have enough time or money to eat healthy. This recipe can be altered in any way due to allergies and preferences, and it only takes about 10 minutes to prepare. Some of the ingredients that are used to make the protein balls are probably ingredients you have lying around the house.

5 ingredients, Prep Time 10 minutes, Nutritional Facts:

• 2 tbs Honey
• 2/3 cup Peanut Butter (Peanut butter is filled with healthy fats and fiber. One serving of peanut butter contains 7 grams of protein)
• 1 cup Old Fashioned Oats (Rich in fiber, protein, and nutrients. Also known to lower cholesterol)
• ½ cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• ½ cup Ground Flax Seeds (Just 1 tablespoon of flax seeds is roughly 8 grams of fiber. Also loaded with healthy fats)

To make these simply combine all 5 ingredients in a medium bowl and stir. Place in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes so they are easier to roll. Roll into about 12 bites and store in your refrigerator for as long as you like. With this recipe I hope to have taught the class a quick healthy recipe they can eat and enjoy with their everyday busy schedules!

References:

Baking, Texanerin. “Peanut Butter Protein Balls (gluten-free, Vegan, Whole Grain, Dairy-   free).” Texanerin Baking. N.p., 23 Mar. 2017. Web. 17 May 2017.

“Nutrients and Health Benefits.” Choose MyPlate. N.p., 21 Jan. 2016. Web. 17 May 2017.

“Protein Ball.” Pinterest. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 May 2017.

“Raw Superfood Protein Balls/Bar Recipe.” Raw Blend a Healthy Mix for Life. © 2017 Raw Blend. All Rights Reserved., n.d. Web.