Fatty Eating That’s Worth It

Many athletes struggle with maintaining weight, a normal menstrual function (in women), normal testosterone levels (in men), or just generally keeping up with high calorie requirements. I love suggesting cake to meet their energy needs. It’s actually something I recently suggested in an article for Running Times. This is not your average flourless, no-bake cake. This cake is packed with healthy fat, calories, and flavor. It can be made with any combination of favorite nuts.

Why it works:

This is a fat-rich cake, but note that this nutty fat source mostly contains heart healthy, mono-unsaturated fat and beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. Nuts, like walnuts, are also a source of phytonutrients, vitamin E, copper, and l-arginine. This recipe is perfect for the athlete on the go since you just toss all the ingredients in the food processor and mold them into a cake shape. Don’t discount this cake if you have lower calorie needs; just take a smaller slice because it’s every bit worth taking advantage of it’s wonderful health benefits. This is one quality-rich cake!

Nuttastic Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 c. pecan chips
• 1 c. walnut pieces
• 1/2 c. date sugar
• 3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp. agave nectar
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla
• 3 tbsp. whipping cream
• 1 tbsp. nutella
• dark chocolate shavings (optional)

Directions:

Combine pecans, walnuts, and date sugar in a food processor. Process until like a flour with a slightly crumbly, wet consistency. Then add agave nectar, cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla. Process again until wet and easily sticks together. Line a 8″ round (smaller size) cake pan with a piece of saran wrap such that the saran wrap edges are hanging out of the pan. Pour nut mixture into cake pan and mold or press to the bottom of the pan forming a cake shape. Then top cake pan with large plate. Flip the cake pan so that the cake flips onto the plate. Remove saran wrap.

In the smaller bowl of the food processor combine nutella and whipping cream. Process until it becomes a creamy, frothy type consistency. Drizzle the nutella cream over each cake slice and serve. Top with dark chocolate shavings if desired.

** Note: A date paste can subsitute for date sugar. Just blend medjool dates with water as needed to develop a date paste.

Makes 6 servings.

Each serving is approximately 360 calories, 28 grams of fat, 3.5 grams saturated fat, 26 grams of carbohydrate, 4.5 grams of fiber, and 5.5 grams of protein