By KNI
A little chocolate goes a long way especially when combined with coconut. This 4-ingredient version of the beloved Bounty Bar is a perfect treat and couldn’t be easier. Spoil yourself this Valentine’s Day with a renal-friendly dessert!
Curious why we’re including chocolate and coconut in a renal- friendly dessert?
Surprised (excited?) to find a kidney-friendly recipe with chocolate and coconut? We’re willing to bet you’ve seen these foods on the AVOID list for a renal diet. Chocolate and coconut are both high in potassium, however, one serving of our Vegan Bounty Bars has just 150 mg of potassium!
It’s important to remember that not everyone with Chronic Kidney Disease needs to limit potassium in their diet! The right amount of potassium depends on many factors. Check with your Doctor and Renal Dietitian about how much potassium is right for you!
Powering up with coconut
Coconut is a key player in many of our recipes because of it’s amazing flavor and fat content. When following a low protein or very low protein diet to preserve kidney function, fat is essential for getting in enough calories to prevent malnutrition. Wondering about the saturated fat in coconut? We know that this is a hot topic with both the public and the medical community. The Standard American Diet (SAD) diet is very high in saturated fat. Most of which comes from meat, dairy, and refined and processed foods. In contrast, a whole food plant-based diet is very low in saturated fat and rich in fiber, therefore our stance is that using coconut products in moderation is a CAN DO when following a whole food plant-based diet to support kidney health!
Need help clearing up the confusion about what to eat?
Join ourmonthly classor scheduleyour 1:1 visit with a KNI expert renal dietitian.
Vegan Bounty Bars
A little chocolate goes a long way, especially when combined with coconut. This 4-ingredient version of the beloved bounty bar is a delicious treat and couldn't be any easier!
Recipe developed by Clarissa Paimanta, RD and tested by Jennifer Krasilovsky, KidneyRD Intern 2021
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Low Phosphorus, Low Potassium, Low Protein, Low Sodium, Plant-Based
Diet Type: CKD, Dialysis, VLPD
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 190kcal
Author: Clarissa Paimanta, RD
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/4 cup coconut oil melted or coconut butter (slightly warmed and softened
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey or more to taste
- 1/2 cup vegan dark chocolate chips melted
- a pinch of salt to taste
Instructions
Add shredded coconut, melted coconut oil or softened coconut butter, and maple syrup or honey to a food processor and blend until a sticky mixture forms. Do not over-process your coconut or bars will feel sandy. You can also mix this by hand in a bowl with a spatula.
Press the coconut mixture firmly into a 5 X 7" or 8 X 4 loaf pan lined with parchment paper and place in the freezer until completely hard, about 1 hour.
Cut into 12 bars. If bars start to fall apart press it back together and freeze again for another hour before cutting.
Melt chocolate in a microwave or in a heat proof bowl over a small pot of simmering water.
Dip bars into the chocolate one by one and place on a wire rack or a pan lined with baking paper. Top with a sprinkle of sea salt. Allow to set in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Enjoy cold or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.
Variation:
Berry flavored: Instead of using honey or maple syrup, add ½ cup of berries, blended in a blender or food processor.
More toppings: Add toppings as dried fruits, nuts, or seeds for added zinc and iron.
Notes
Coconut oil used in Nutrition Facts analysis
You may have heard that nuts, beans, and whole grains are not a great choice for a kidney-friendly diet because they are high in phosphorus. Wondering why we include them in many of our recipes?We include beans, nuts, and whole grains because only about 40% of phosphorus found inthese plant foods are absorbed by humans. This makes them a good fit for most people's diets! If you have questions about adding these foods to your diet, please reach out to your dietitian.
Nutrition
Calories: 190kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 14mg | Potassium: 139mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @KNI_Care or tag #KNIrecipes!
KNI Care Verdict on this renal friendly dessert!
Everyone in the house loved this recipe! I found it easier to cut them into 12 wide rectangles instead of long sticks. If things start to crumble as you slice, just pop them back in the freezer to help them firm up and try again. Also, these bars keep well in the freezer, so go ahead a make two batches!
Craving more chocolate recipes?
Check out our Lightly Salted Chocolate Pecan Granola or try this kidney-friendly Fantastic Fudge from our friends at Northwest Kidney Centers. Come see why we think chocolate is a CAN DO on a kidney friendly diet!
ALL information you read onKidneyNutritionInstitute.org is purely for informational and educational purposes. Information is not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
