Easy Energy Bites

For years, I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect pre-workout snack — something that digests quickly but can tide me over for a full hour of exercise (i.e., something that’s mostly simple carbs with a smidgen of protein and fat), something that I can stomach first thing in the morning (I’m a morning workout person), and something that won’t cause any gastro upset when I start bouncing around in the gym.

I’ve identified a handful of snacks that work well for me, but this is by far the easiest and most convenient — minimal prep required, easy to find (or pack) if I’m traveling, and not too heavy for my morning workouts. These energy bites provide a healthy, whole-food source of glucose from the dates, and a tiny bit of protein and fat from the nuts to tide me over a little longer.