Your body needs certain nutrients to optimally function and it cannot manufacture vitamins or minerals. It’s best to obtain them through your diet by eating a variety of wholesome foods, which allows you to consume the right balance of vitamins and minerals needed for optimal health and performance.

Marisa Spiegel, RD, LDN, Registered Dietitian at NorthShore, does not believe that more vitamins and supplements will pave the way to better health and performance for active people. Instead, the best way to fuel up for performance is through the diet. Her recipe for energy bites is a great way to naturally get the nutrients your body needs. Prepare these in advance so you can grab and go!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dry oatmeal
• ½ cup natural peanut butter
• ½ cup ground flaxseed
• ½ cup dried cherries
• ⅓ cup honey
• 1 tbsp chia seeds (optional)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Mix all of the ingredients into a bowl.
2. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes
3. Roll into balls of whatever size you like and enjoy!

Nutrition Information (1 of 12 bites):

Calories: 172
Total Fat: 10g
Total Carbohydrate: 17g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 4g