Protein blueberry cocoa chip muffins

I had a complete life changing experience and needed to clean up my diet. I was misdiagnosed, sent to the hospital twice and I lost more than 20 pounds in less than two months. I was sick, weak, and very sluggish. For my health I needed to go back to eating a clean diet. I gave up refined sugars, processed foods, caffeine, gluten, most all dairy, foods with high carbs, restaurants, and fast foods( which I didn’t eat often but when I was tired I felt like it was more convenient) and foods with ingredients I couldn’t pronounce. I started reading ingredients again and spend a lot more time in the grocery store and kitchen. When I changed the way I ate I started feeling better, gained more natural energy and started building muscle again.

It was hard for me to give up sweets and breads , as I love my dark chocolates, muffins, brownies cookies and breads. At first I had to completely cut everything out of my diet. When I got sick, I could eat anything at all, everything made me feel a lot worse (which is why I ended up losing so much weight) the only thing I could keep down was water, and chicken broth. When I was diagnosed I needed to create healthy foods that wouldn’t make me sick. It took about two weeks for all the cravings to go away.

I threw out everything in my kitchen, refined sugars, sugary drinks, anything with gluten, high carbs, processed foods, dairy, caffeine (coffee 😭), and foods that had ingredients I couldn’t pronounce.

Best decision of my life, hard, but much needed. Long story short, I started cooking and baking all of my meals again, meal prepping was a game changer.

High in protein, lots of veggies, low carb, gluten free foods that taste delicious and are good for my body. When I bake now I use organic natural coconut sugar less than what recipes call for. Instead of flour I started using organic almond and coconut flour. Instead of regular chocolate chips or milk chocolate, I use real organic cocoa instead of dairy milk I started using unsweetened organic almond milk.

This baking recipe is simple, high in protein, gluten free, dairy free and no refined sugars.

Although I don’t eat a lot of sweets, I still want to enjoy what I’m eating when I do.

I hope this recipe helps those that are wanting to switch up their diet but still have the sweet cravings. It’s important to read ingredients, know what you are putting into your body, and stay away from those horrible ingredients we can barely pronounce.

I will be posting more healthy recipes in the future. I spend more time in the kitchen these days and wanted to share. I hope to help others make a change in their diet. If you’ve gotten this far. Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoy my content🥑❤️ #foodoflemon8 #health #healthyfood #healthylifestyle2024 #homemade #foodie #lemon8challenge #embracevulnerability #groceryessentials #baking

2024/3/6 Edited to

... Read moreWhen I first started my journey to better health and shedding those extra pounds, I quickly realized that giving up all my favorite treats wasn't sustainable. That's where healthy baking became my secret weapon! If you're searching for delicious ways to enjoy sweets without derailing your weight loss goals, then diving into recipes like these protein-packed blueberry cocoa chip muffins is a fantastic start. What makes these muffins, and others like them, so effective for weight loss? It’s all about smart ingredient swaps and understanding what your body truly needs. For instance, the protein in these muffins isn't just for muscle building; it’s crucial for satiety. A high-protein snack keeps you feeling full longer, reducing the urge to reach for unhealthy options. When I started adding protein powder to my baked goods, it completely changed how I felt after eating them – no more energy crashes or immediate hunger pangs! Blueberries themselves are tiny powerhouses for weight loss. They're low in calories, high in fiber (which aids digestion and fullness), and packed with antioxidants. Incorporating more blueberries into your diet, whether in muffins, smoothies, or oatmeal, is a simple, delicious way to boost your nutrient intake without adding unnecessary calories. Beyond the main ingredients, the choice of flour and sweetener makes a huge difference. Switching from refined white flour to almond or coconut flour dramatically cuts down on carbs and increases fiber and healthy fats, which helps stabilize blood sugar and prevents those notorious post-snack cravings. And natural sweeteners like coconut sugar, used sparingly, allow you to enjoy sweetness without the inflammatory effects of refined sugars. To really make healthy baking work for weight loss, I found that meal prepping was key. I love to 'Bake with me' on a Sunday afternoon, making a big batch of these muffins. They store beautifully in an airtight container for a few days, or you can freeze them individually for up to a month. This way, I always have a healthy, portion-controlled snack or breakfast option ready to go, preventing me from grabbing something unhealthy when hunger strikes. These muffins are perfect as a quick, energizing breakfast on the go, or a satisfying mid-afternoon snack. And don't stop here! Think about other healthy blueberry recipes for weight loss: blend them into a creamy smoothie with spinach and protein powder, sprinkle them over Greek yogurt with a dash of cinnamon, or even add them to a vibrant salad for a burst of flavor and antioxidants. Embracing healthy baking and cooking is a journey, but with delicious and satisfying recipes like these, it’s one you'll truly enjoy.