You know all about the various ways in which you can use honey. But what about bee pollen? The pollen ball packed by honeybees is slowly gaining popularity for its health and nutritional benefits. And the best part… you can add to most of your everyday dishes!
There are more than enough reasons for you to include bee pollen in your diet. Besides being rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins, lipids, fatty acids, enzymes, carotenoids, and bioflavonoids, it has adaptogenic properties that increase memory function and improve your ability to think, learn, and concentrate. Convinced but not sure how exactly to use bee pollen? Here are 5 recipes you can use to get your daily dose of nutrients from bee pollen and enjoy its “bittersweet” taste.
1. Strawberry Bee Pollen Smoothie
Smoothies are the most popular on-the-go drinks that, when made with the right ingredients, provide you with numerous health benefits. This delicious drink is just a regular strawberry and banana drink but with the energy-boosting benefits of bee pollen.
Ingredients
- 6–7 strawberries
- ½ banana
- 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
- ½ cup milk
- ½ tablespoon bee pollen
Instructions
1. Put all the ingredients in a blender.
2. Blend until you get a smooth mixture.
3. Pour the smoothie into a glass and serve it cold.
2. Banana And Bee Pollen Granola Bars
Busy mornings call for a quick breakfast. What’s better than a nutrient-packed granola bar that you can munch on as you head to work? These granola bars are good for curbing sugar cravings and keep you full.
Ingredients
- 1 peeled banana
- 1 cup almond butter or peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons bee pollen
- 2 cups oats
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder
- 4 tablespoons coconut oil
- ¼ cup honey
Instructions
1. To a large bowl, add banana, oats, almond butter, vanilla, cinnamon, pollen, and honey and mix well.
2. Coat a large pan with coconut oil.
3. Spread the dough evenly on the pan and cover it with wax paper.
4. Place the pan in the freezer for about 24 hours. Ensure that the dough is firm when you remove it from the freezer.
5. Now, cut the dough into small bars and store it in a closed container in the freezer.
3. Bee Pollen Dark Chocolate Bites
If you are looking for a quick snack to keep you going, these energy bites are just what you are looking for. They are perfect for you if you are a conscious eater with a sweet tooth.
Ingredients
- 700 grams loosely chopped dark chocolate
- 1 cup mixed toasted nuts
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 cup dried fruit
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons bee pollen
Instructions
1. Chop the toasted nuts and dried fruit.
2. To melt the chocolate, make a double boiler by placing a stainless steel mixing bowl over a saucepan of simmering water.
3. While melting the chocolate in the mixing bowl, add the chopped nuts, dried fruit, and seeds to it. Stir it well.
4. Now, pour the chocolate mixture into chocolate molds or muffin tins.
5. Sprinkle it with bee pollen and allow it to set in a dark place for a few hours. In addition to bee pollen, you can sprinkle raisins or dried blueberries.
4. No-Bake Bee Pollen Brownies
Can’t resist brownies but have fitness goals to hit? These no-bake brownies contain natural sweeteners like dates and bee pollen, healthy fats, and vitamins and minerals, making them ideal for a nutritional boost.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon bee pollen
- 1 cup baker’s chocolate
- 2 cups walnuts
- 2½ cups pitted dates
- 1 cup almonds
- ¼ tablespoon sea salt
Instructions
1. Grind the baker’s chocolate to a fine powder.
2. Chop the almonds and set aside.
3. In a food processor, combine walnuts, chocolate powder, salt, pollen, and dates. Pulse to get a crumbly consistency.
4. Transfer this mixture to a bowl and add the chopped almonds to it.
5. Gently fold the mixture.
6. Now, press this mixture into a parchment lined baking sheet.
7. Spread the baker’s chocolate across the top of the brownies and gently press it.
8. Put the pan in the freezer for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
9. Remove the set brownies and transfer it to a cutting board. Dust it with chocolate powder and ground bee pollen.
10. Cut it into small pieces and serve.
Store the brownies in an air-tight container in the fridge.
5. Bee Pollen Salad Dressing
Add bee pollen salad dressing to your favorite salad for a mild sweet taste. You can also sprinkle it over your salad for an added crunch.
Ingredients
- 1½ tablespoon bee pollen
- 2 tablespoon ground mustard
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 teaspoon agave nectar
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1 pinch of sea salt
Instructions
1. In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients.
2. Refrigerate it for about 1 hour for the bee pollen to dissolve.
3. Mix it well and drizzle over your salad.
Side Effects Of Bee Pollen
Oral intake of bee pollen is considered safe for short-term use. However, there are certain safety concerns when it comes to pregnant and breastfeeding women and people with pollen allergies. Symptoms of pollen allergies can include swelling, itching, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, and anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction).
Bee pollen can interact with blood thinners like Warfarin and increase bleeding. Although there are no known interactions of bee pollen with herbs and supplements, consult your doctor before you take bee pollen.1
Note: Bee pollen is available in the form of tablets, granules, chewable tablets, or powder and the dosage varies based on age and health conditions. However, there is not enough research available on the right dosage.
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