TRY THIS: COCONUT & CACAO BITES

THESE are rich in plant protein and fibre, and are a great mid-morning or post-gym snack, minus the unwanted sulphur load you might get from protein bars.

MAKES 10

■ ¾ cup nut butter of choice

■ 3 Medjool dates, pressed into a paste with ¼ cup boiling water, or 45g sweetener of your choice

■ 1 tsp vanilla extract

■ 1 tbsp cacao powder

■ ¼ cup dark choc chips

■ 3 tbsp shredded coconut

PLACE the nut butter, date paste, vanilla extract and cacao in a bowl and stir to mix well.

Shape the mixture into a large, smooth dough ball. Tear off small pieces to create ten bitesize balls. Freeze for 30 minutes to allow the dough balls to set. Add the chocolate chips to a heatproof bowl and melt slowly in the microwave or over a pan of hot water, stirring every 15 seconds until smooth.

Dip the frozen bites into the melted chocolate, and sprinkle with the shredded coconut. (For extra plant intake, add extra toppings such as chopped nuts, dried cranberries or ground almonds.) Return to the freezer to set the chocolate, and store in the fridge or freezer.