Many of our clients struggle to eat enough to grow and gain weight. This is often due to appetite suppressing effects of medications or feeding or swallowing problems that make it un-enjoyable or difficult to eat.
These fruit, fibre and (healthy) fat filled bliss-balls are energy dense and make a great lunch-box addition, or supper snack for anyone struggling to eat enough. Their soft texture also make them easy to chew for those who find fatigue a factor when eating or youngsters still learning how to eat.
For younger kids you could make smaller balls. Similarly for teens, rolling into larger portion sizes can help add extra energy, fibre and protein to the daily intake.
Ingredients
1 cup mixed dried fruit or raisins
1 cup rolled oats
4 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tablespoons dried milk powder
1 1/2 tablespoons honey
~ 1/3 cup boiling water
Desiccated coconut, to coat
Method
1. Place dried fruit into a heat-proof bowl and cover with boiling water. Stand for about 5 minutes until fruit slightly softens.
2. Drain water from dried fruit
3. Place dried fruit, rolled oats and milk powder into a food processor. Combine.
4. Add peanut butter, honey and 3 tablespoons of water to mixture. Combine
5. Add additional water to recipe if needed to make a slightly wet dough mixture.
6. Place coconut into a small bowl
7. Use a soup-spoon to scoop mixture and roll into balls.
8. Place into bowl with coconut. Roll to coat each ball.
9. Place in refrigerator prior to serving.
Tip
Tahini or a seed based paste (such as Sunflower Seed Spread) could be used in place of peanut butter if your child attends a “Nut Free” school.