Gingerbread Bites

Dates have been shown to positively affect birth outcomes:

Research shows that dates (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28286995/):

• This leads to increased rates of cervical dilation upon admission to the hospital

• Shortened duration of the first stage of labour, and significantly reduced duration of the second stage of labour

• Significantly reduced gestation duration

Another study showed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21280989/):

• A significantly higher proportion of intact membranes ( reduction of premature release of membranes)

• An increase in the occurrence of spontaneous labour ( 96% of those who consumed dates, compared with 79% of those who did not

• A reduction in the use of synthetic oxytocin(47% of those who did not consume dates, compared with 28% of those who did not.

• A reduction in the first stage of labour ( an average of 510min for those who consumed dates, compared with 906 min for those who did not)

The best time to consume dates is 3-4 weeks before your estimated due date., or 36-37 weeks pregnant.

Consuming 70-75g of dried dates per day has been shown to be effective

This is about:

• 6 dates/day when consuming smaller dates

• 3 dates/day when consuming Medjool dates

This recipe is also great as it contains nuts and healthy fats to help stabilise blood sugar. Great at the end of pregnancy or as a one-handed snack while breastfeeding or at any stage of motherhood.

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups raw walnut halves

• 8 Medjool dates

• 1 Tsp ground cinnamon

• 1/2Tsp ground ginger

• 1/4Tsp ground cloves

• A dash of ground nutmeg

• A dash of sea salt

• 1 Cup unsweetened shredded coconut(option)

  Note:
  This recipe should make about 18-20 balls when finished.

Method:

1. Add all ingredients, except the unsweetened coconut, to a food processor.

2. Process until ingredients form a sticky dough (some pieces of walnuts will be visible, which is okay, so don’t over-process). 

3. When finished, roll the dough with your hands into 1.5-inch balls and place it onto a tray lined with parchment paper.

4. If the dough is too sticky, add water to your hands and continue. You don’t want the mixture to dry because the coconut needs something to hold onto.

5. When finished, gently roll the balls in the shredded coconut until the outside is thoroughly coated.

6. Store finished bites in the refrigerator until ready to serve.