Paleo Friendly Choc-Banana Pops

Eating a paleo friendly diet doesn't mean you have to go without the occasional indulgence.  I was a sugar slave and used to be heavily addicted to sweets. So much so, that years ago after one of my binges I was feeling so disgusted with myself that I booked in to see a hypnotherapist. He 'cured' me of my chocolate (and sweet) addiction and it worked for close to a year, during which time I didn't touch a single square of chocolate. 

But it didn't last...the cravings returned.

Craving sugar can be a powerful urge. Simple sugars reward us by releasing the feel good neurotransmitter serotonin. Couple that with the one of the many positive associations relating to sugar and we become trapped. You only have to think about the smell of freshly baked cookies to know what I mean. I have found that if you include it in your daily routine, it becomes harder to give it up. The cravings are definitely cyclical.

Since starting my paleo journey, I no longer crave sweet things after meals or throughout the day. Not once have I felt the need to reach for a piece of chocolate, pastry, biscuit or any other carb laden gloop. I am amazed at how quickly my palate has adjusted and become sensitive to the sweetness in foods. 

Now, don't get me wrong, I love looking at the gorgeous pictures and recipes of many of my food blogging friends and at the impressive creations of some of Sydney's talented bakeries and patisseries - but I no longer feel the urge to devour them. 

And, I am really happy about that, as I was a true addict. I would often plan my dessert before I would finish dinner and  pre paleo, could quite easily have eaten a large block of chocolate. *Gasp!*

I am now 6kg lighter than I was 8 weeks ago and I love the fact that I no longer launch into a sugar binge after a meal. 

These choc-banana pops are super easy to make, are guilt free and will satisfy any sweet craving.  If you have young kids at home, this is a great recipe to get them involved in as we head into the warmer months. 

paleo friendly choc-banana pops

makes 8

Photo: The Food Mentalist

ingredients
4 bananas
½ cup moist shredded coconut or chopped nuts ( walnuts or macadamias work best)
½ cup coconut oil
⅓ cup cacao powder
¼ cup pure maple syrup, raw honey or coconut nectar 
8 paddle pop sticks or skewers

method
Place a sheet of parchment paper on a tray and set aside. 
Peel and cut bananas in half. Skewer and set aside. 
Melt coconut oil and add cacao powder and maple syrup ( or chosen natural sweetener). Dip each banana half into the chocolate mixture and then roll gently in coconut or chopped nuts and place on tray and place into the freezer for at least 2 hours.

Eat straight from the freezer.

Enjoy x