NUTRITION
COURT-TESTED
Healthy HOLIDAY TREATS
Pickleball friends can be like family, only much more fun! Whether you’re hosting a club party or just sharing some
goodies on the court, show your love with healthier treats. These recipes were taste-approved by my own pickleball
buddies and are densely packed with nutrients that players need.
By Brandi Givens, RDN
Crab and Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms
Yum!
Mushrooms and artichokes are antioxidant-packed, helping to prevent and fight
diseases.
Ingredients:
12 medium Cremini mushrooms
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely
chopped
4 oz. cream cheese*
1 6-oz. can fancy crab meat*, drained well
½ 15-oz. can artichoke hearts, drained
well and finely chopped
¼ cup parmesan cheese*
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ teaspoon salt
3 green onions, finely sliced
No-Bake Omega Snowballs
Directions:
Wash mushrooms and remove stems. Pat dry. Reserve stems for another recipe.
A favorite among teammates and my kids, these
treats are a good source of healthy fats and
energy for the court or even a grab-and-go
breakfast. Mix all other ingredients except parmesan cheese.
Ingredients:
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats Serves 6: 103 kcals, 7g fat, 5g carbs, 4g protein, 2g fiber.
¼ cup chia seeds
Stuff heaping tablespoons into mushrooms. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
Bake at 400 degrees until heated through.
Pumpkin-Apple Muffins
¼ cup flax seeds These muffins provide vitamin A, fiber, zinc, and healthy fats.
½ cup walnuts*, finely chopped Ingredients:
2½ cups whole wheat flour* 1 15-oz. can pumpkin puree
1½ cups sugar (may use less) 2 apples (peeled, cored and diced)
1 tablespoon cinnamon ½ cup applesauce
1 teaspoon baking soda 2 large eggs* (high omega-3 are best)
½ teaspoon salt ¼ cup pumpkin seeds, shelled
3.5-oz. 70% cocoa chocolate bar, finely chopped
½ cup nut or seed butter of choice*
⅓ cup honey
2 cups coconut flakes (optional)
Directions:
Mix all ingredients except coconut thoroughly.
Mash and roll into tablespoon-sized balls.
(optional) Chop coconut flakes finely in food
processor.
½ cup avocado* or canola oil
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a stand mixer, blend all dry ingredients.
Roll balls in coconut, if desired. In a separate bowl, mix all wet ingredients.
Freeze until ready to serve. Add wet ingredients to dry mixture and mix just
until blended. If mixture seems too dry, add a bit
more applesauce.
Makes about 24 snowballs. Serving size is
2 snowballs: 270 kcals, 16g fat, 24g carbs,
6g protein, 5g fiber.
Spoon evenly into muffin pan. Sprinkle
generously with pumpkin seeds.
Bake about 30-40 minutes or until toothpick
comes out clean.
Makes about 20 muffins. Serving size is 1 muffin: 155 kcals, 8g fat, 22g carbs, 3g
protein, 3g fiber.
Another way to show your love during the holiday season is to be mindful of
friends’ food allergies. While people can be allergic to anything, ingredients with
stars next to them are common offenders. Almost any ingredient can be omitted or
substituted, and people with allergies will be touched that you care enough to ask.
70
TO SUBSCRIBE CALL 888.308.3720 OR GO TO THEPICKLEBALLMAG.COM
Brandi Givens has been
a registered dietitian
since 2010. Questions
or comments can be
posted to her blog at
www.abitdietitious.com.