These healthy lemon bliss balls taste like a healthier, bite-sized lemon bar. Bright and just the right amount of sweet, learn how to make them now.
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Forget chocolate and vanilla, lemon is my favorite.
Bright, yet calming at the same time, lemon is a flavor I enjoy at any time of day. So, it was only time until I made these healthy lemon coconut bliss balls.
I’ve fallen in love with this healthy bliss ball recipe as they’re:
Plus, if you’re looking for more healthy CBD recipes, then these vegan lemon energy bites are ideal!
If you use CBD to help manage symptoms, but feel uncomfortable bringing CBD products with you to work/the gym/traveling/etc., then these lemon bliss balls are the perfect solution! Plus, the lemony flavor will help mask any earthiness from the oil.
While I’m a big fan of these raw lemon bars from Minimalist Baker, I don’t always want to have dessert in order to get my lemon-fix.
These no-bake lemon coconut bliss balls taste like a cross between lemon bars and a lemon poppyseed muffin.
The key is using fresh lemon juice and zest. Do not use bottled lemon juice!
Plus, unlike muffins and lemon bars, these lemon energy balls are made with just a handful of whole ingredients, making them a nourishing snack before a morning workout or for an afternoon snack.
Despite their popularity, you may be wondering: are energy balls good for you? Generally yes, but as with anything, it depends on the ingredients in them.
These vegan energy balls are a nourishing snack option as they’re made with whole ingredients, naturally sweetened with dates (no sugar alternatives here!), and filled with healthy fats thanks to chia seeds and cashews.
Plus, if you have a food allergy, these healthy lemon bliss balls are also:
While dates are definitely sweet, they also have a lot more than just sugary goodness.
First of all, unlike white sugar, dates are rich in fiber.
In fact, a 3.5-ounce serving has 7 grams of fiber. As a result, when you eat dates, the fiber helps to slow down the absorption of that sugar, meaning it won’t spike your blood sugar levels as much as regular sugar.
Plus, dates are also rich in important nutrients like:
There are just a handful of ingredients for these healthy lemon bliss balls:
And for a CBD-infused option, you’ll also need CBD oil. I talk about what kind to use further down in this post!
Don’t want to use CBD? Simply leave it out. No other adjustments needed!
Vegan bliss balls are simple to make, but they do require a good-quality food processor.
Step 1: Start by measuring out all your ingredients.
My medjool dates were super soft, but if yours are a bit dry, I recommend soaking them in a bowl of hot water for 10 minutes first
Step 2: Pulse cashews until they form a coarse sand-like texture. Scrape down the sides of the food processor.
Step 3: Add remaining ingredients and pulse until fully combined. The mixture should hold together when rolled into a ball and be quite sticky. If your mixture is crumbly, add 1 teaspoon of water at a time until it reaches the right consistency.
Step 4: Roll mixture into 16 balls. If you want extra coconut, roll the lemon bliss balls in extra shredded coconut.
Enjoy immediately. Or, place balls in a container (I like using glass containers with lids) and store in the fridge for 2 weeks or in the freezer for 3 months.
If you plan on bringing a few bites with you, without access to a fridge, I recommend freezing them the night before as they’ll soften throughout the day.
There are so many CBD products out there nowadays. Unfortunately, not all of them are made with high-quality CBD.
As a registered dietitian, I care a lot about what I put in my body. So, when it comes to CBD, I want to make sure that I’m using top quality CBD oil. If you’re curious about how to figure out what CBD oil to buy, be sure to check out my previous post here.
My preferred brand is CBDistillery as they only use high-quality hemp-derived CBD oil.
How much CBD oil you should add to this recipe will depend on your individual needs.
As I don’t know your medical history, I cannot recommend a dosage. Instead, I can simply help you figure out how to calculate the amount to use based on your daily dose. Unsure what your daily dose should be? I recommend talking with a dietitian or medical provider.
For these balls, I used CBDistillery’s THC-Free Pure CBD Oil Tincture 83mg.
This means that each full dropper provides 83 mg of CBD. So, if I wanted to make each bite have 20 mg of CBD, and I made 16 balls, then I would need to add 16 x 20 = 320 mg of CBD. So, 320 mg / 83 mg = 4 full droppers.
When choosing CBD, if you plan on adding it to recipes like these bliss balls, I recommend going with a more concentrated oil, like this 83 mg one, so that you don’t have to add as much oil.
If you use a less concentrated oil, you may need to adjust the amount of ingredients added to reach the right consistency. This may mean adding more nuts, dates, and coconut flakes.
Also, while isolates are flavorless, if using a broad-spectrum or full-spectrum oil, you may need to increase the amount of lemon zest to mask the earthy flavor.
While much more research is needed, so far what we do know about it is that CBD can help reduce chronic inflammation. This is because of its effects on the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
Without getting too sciency (you can get a much more technical explanation by clicking the link above), the ECS is a complex signaling system in the body that contributes to homeostasis – a.k.a the internal balance in your body.
So far, scientists have discovered that the ECS plays a role in regulating a handful of vital processes including appetite, sleep, mood, chronic pain, inflammation, stress, and even learning.
While we’re still learning exactly how CBD interacts with the ECS, so far research suggests that one way it may work is by preventing endocannabinoids from being broken down.
Or in simpler terms, CBD keeps the ECS activated and in turn, promotes balance in the body.
As a result, studies have suggested that CBD may help manage symptoms for certain conditions, including anxiety, chronic pain, and insomnia.
However, just as you might take turmeric or cinnamon to help reduce inflammation, you wouldn’t expect it to cure your pain. Similarly, CBD can help reduce symptoms, but it shouldn’t be thought of as a cure-all.
Looking for more healthy bliss ball recipes? I’ve got you covered:
The information contained in this website is not intended to recommend the self-management of health problems or wellness. It is not intended to endorse or recommend any particular type of medical treatment. Should any reader have any healthcare-related questions, promptly call or consult your physician or healthcare provider. No information contained in this website should be used by any reader to disregard medical and/or health-related advice or provide a basis to delay a consultation with a physician or a qualified healthcare provider. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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I’m Kelli MS, RD. As a foodie with a background in nutrition research, I’m a firm believer that what we eat affects nearly every aspect of our wellbeing, and that food should taste freaking delicious.
My name is Kelli McGrane, and I’m a Denver-based registered dietitian with a Master’s degree in nutrition.
As a foodie with a background in nutrition research, I’m a firm believer that what we eat affects nearly every aspect of our wellbeing, and that food should taste freaking delicious.
My goal with New Mind is to help you find balance in both your mind and body through nutrition research and whole foods-based recipes.