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Banana Oat Date Bars #LoveMyHealthyHeart

Thanks Sprouts for sponsoring this post. February was American heart month and Sprouts gave me lots of tips to keep my ticker ticking. These banana oat date bars are guilt free and perfect for satisfying my sweet craving, while also helping keep my heart healthy!
Banana Oat Date Bars

After last week’s calorie filled Irish nachos, it seems fitting that I supply you with something a bit healthier. February was American heart month and Sprouts supplied plenty of information on ways to keep our heart healthy. Heart disease runs in my family so it is never too late to learn or review new tips to stay fit. My father had a wake up call at the age of 42 when he collapsed on the tennis court with a heart attack. I was 16. He never smoked, was not a drinker, just a tad overweight, and jogged at the time, though I’m sure he ate too much red meat. He’s continued to stay fit and even at the age of 85 he ran/walked a 5k. He has had two open heart surgeries to replace arteries, but thank goodness for modern medicine. Turns out in our case heart disease is genetic, though that doesn’t mean we should give up on trying to stay healthy.

Exercise is not something I really enjoy, but I do try to walk on  regular basis. Eating is something I really enjoy and though I received a minor in nutrition way back when (when no one cared about nutrition) I know what I’m supposed to eat.  However, I’m just not very good at following what I know. Well, at least I admit it. So far I’ve been pretty lucky and though I am overweight, I’ve avoided health related diseases. I’m getting older and know the odds of staying healthy are decreasing each day, therefore it’s best to err on the side of health.

Banana at Date Bars

Heart Healthy Tips

Following a heart healthy diet like the Mediterranean diet is one way to do things. Another way is to eat lots of fruits, veggies and fiber. Suzanne Farrell, a dietician and nutrition coach, gave us lots of tips to point us in the right direction. One thing I’m trying to do is to follow the rule of 1/4, 1/4, 1/2. No this isn’t a math test; that’s the way one’s dinner plate should be designed. In other words, (much to Manservant’s chagrin) vegetables and fruit should fill half of our plate, grain and starches should fill 1/4 and the other 1/4 is for your protein.

Some foods that help our heart include fish, such as salmon. Get your omega 3’s in. Walnuts and flax seeds, chia seeds or fish oil capsules also contain omega 3’s. Decrease your risk factors by getting lots of fiber in your diet. Most of us only get about 15g daily when we should get 25-35. Think lots of whole grains and oatmeal. Oatmeal is so good for you. Oats not only help lower your bad cholesterol, they also absorb it from your GI tract. Think beans. Beans are loaded with fiber. Think fruit; berries, apples and citrus are all great choices. Bananas are also great because they contain potassium and potassium is known for lowering blood pressure.

So today’s lesson is what to eat for a healthy heart. You figured that out, right? I decided to combine some ingredients that Sprout sent us home with and came up with banana oat date bars, something that Manservant could munch without feeling guilty-well, me too! I used bananas-check! I used flax seed-check! And I used oats! Add in some dark chocolate, which is also linked to reducing heart disease, (thank God!) some dates, which also contain lots of fiber and no need for sugar. We all know sugar is the new bad boy, not fat-right? Well, that is if you are eating healthy fats!

Banana Oat Date Bars

So check these banana oat date bars out. They aren’t crunchy like granola bars but they are chewy. No, they aren’t a chocolate chip cookie, but I don’t feel guilty eating them. They aren’t sugary sweet;  they taste like bananas and I love bananas. They are easy to make and perfect for those brown bananas that I usually throw away. It’s just a mind set, right? I mean if my mom had started me on these, maybe my heart would be healthier. So save those yucky bananas and help save your heart!

 

Need a new snack? Give these a try. They pack well, are easy to make and just might cure that sugar urge while also providing lots of fiber and heart healthy goodness!

Banana Oat Date Bars

More heart healthy recipes:

Banana Baked Oatmeal

This oatmeal made with applesauce, nuts and fruit is really a great way to start the day! Easy to do and can be made ahead and reheated! #oatmeal #breakfast www.thisishowicook.com 

   Simple Salmon

SpicySweetSalmon2a 1

              Moroccan Fish with Chickpeas

DSC 0185 1

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Banana Oat Date Bars are gluten free, added sugar free and dairy free. Filled with all great things they may just satisfy your sugar craving in a healthy way!

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Banana Oat Date Bars

Banana Oat Date Bars #LoveMyHealthyHeart

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  • Author: Abbe Odenwalder
  • Prep Time: 15 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 Minutes
  • Total Time: 45 Minutes
  • Yield: 1 9" Pan
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These banana oat date bars are guilt free and perfect for satisfying my sweet craving, while also helping keep my heart healthy! Gluten free, sugar free and egg free-what’s not to like?


Ingredients

2 large very ripe bananas


1 t vanilla


1/2 t salt


1/4 c chopped pitted, dates


2 c oats


1/4 c coconut flakes


1/4 c flax seeds


1 T maple syrup


1/3 c mini chocolate chips


Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350. Grease or line with parchment a 9″ square pan.
  2. In a medium sized bowl, mash your bananas until they are almost liquid. I used an immersion blender. Stir in all ingredients, except the chocolate chips.
  3. Pat mixture into pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and then pat them into mixture so that they are resting on top.
  4. Bake for abut 30 minutes or until the edges begin to crisp up. You can also bake these longer if you want them crisper. Remove from oven and cool. Slice into bars and serve. Leftovers keep a good week, if they last that long.

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

Pamela @BrooklynFarmGirl

Thursday 30th of March 2017

This is a perfect breakfast idea!

Sippity Sup

Monday 27th of March 2017

Just looking at these makes my heart smile and that a good thing. GREG

tania| my kitchen stories

Monday 27th of March 2017

They look so good. Its incredible what you can make with a banana or two

All That I'm Eating

Monday 27th of March 2017

Banana, oats and dates in one. Sounds delicious and great for a quick breakfast!

Chris Scheuer

Sunday 26th of March 2017

These look like a great way to avoid that mid afternoon slump! I love Sprouts!