Maintaining a healthy diet during pregnancy is not only crucial for to-be-moms but also for their babies. It is common to have cravings during this time, however, one must be careful to avoid unhealthy foods. If you're craving something sweet during pregnancy, try a healthier alternative like date chocolate bark. We spoke to Eshanka Wahi, Culinary Nutritionist and Holistic Wellness Coach, who listed its recipe and how you can add it to your diet.
Benefits Of Date Chocolate Bark
Date chocolate bark can be a nutritious and delicious snack for pregnant women, offering several benefits during pregnancy. Here are some potential advantages:
Energy Boost
The natural sugars present in dates can provide a quick energy boost, which can be helpful for pregnant women who may experience fatigue.
Fibre Content
Dates are high in fibre and can help prevent constipation, which is a common issue during pregnancy. According to the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), consuming more dietary fibre when pregnant may improve the gut microbial variety, reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia and glucose intolerance, achieve a healthy gestational weight gain, and avoid constipation.
Also Read: Eating Dates During Pregnancy: Expert Explains Why Dates Are Perfect For Your Sweet Cravings
Iron Content
Iron is crucial during pregnancy to support the increased blood volume and prevent iron-deficiency anaemia. Dates contain iron and help contribute to the daily iron requirements.
Satisfying Sweet Cravings
Consuming date chocolate bark can satisfy your cravings without affecting your health. A 2010 study found that regular chocolate treats can lower your risk of pregnancy hypertension and preeclampsia.
Also Read: Managing Pregnancy Cravings Mindfully: Expert Lists Ways To Tackle It
Recipe To Make Date Chocolate Bark
Wahi shares a step-by-step recipe to make date chocolate bark as follows:
Ingredients
- Pitted dates
- Nut butter of your preference (eg, almond butter)
- Melted chocolate
- Nuts (eg, walnuts)
- Sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Step 2: Spread out the pitted dates on the parchment paper to create a base for your bark. Make sure that the dates are distributed evenly.
- Step 3: Sprinkle your chosen nuts (eg, walnuts) over the dates, ensuring they are spread evenly.
- Step 4: Drizzle the nut butter of your choice (eg, almond butter) across the dates and nuts.
- Step 5: Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the nuts and nut butter layer. This will enhance the flavours and add a delightful contrast.
- Step 6: Melt chocolate using a double boiler or microwave, stirring occasionally until smooth.
- Step 7: Pour the melted chocolate over the date and nut layer, ensuring it covers the entire surface evenly.
- Step 8: Mix cacao powder into almond milk on low heat until you have a smooth and creamy chocolate mixture. This can be an additional layer of flavour.
- Step 9: Pour this chocolate mixture over the melted chocolate layer.
- Step 10: Place the baking sheet in the freezer and let it set for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour, or until the chocolate is firm.
- Step 11: Once the chocolate bark is completely set, remove it from the freezer.
- Step 12: Break the bark into pieces of your desired size. You can use a knife to make clean cuts.
“Your delicious date chocolate bark is ready to be enjoyed! You can serve it as a sweet treat or have it as dessert. Feel free to customise this recipe by adding other ingredients like dried fruits, seeds, or different types of nuts based on your preferences”, said Wahi.
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. We advise you to consult your expert before adding anything to your diet if you are dealing with any health conditions.]
