Make it Natural: Lemon Treats

846_lemon_treats-225x300_0.jpg

Amy, a Whole Story reader, requested a healthier version of the traditional lemon bar that she loves. Traditional lemon bars contain a lot of empty calories in the form of white flour, butter and white sugar, so we decided to approach this request in a different way: how could we come up with a nutrient-dense lemon treat? We went back to basics and used whole foods—nuts, coconut and seeds for richness, and dates for natural sweetness.One of our readers has already become a big fan of these treats. Check out the comment myiatrou wrote on the recipe:


I was so skeptical... I mean, for someone who never touched a date before ... WOW! What a neat and easy treat to make! This is perfect for those "I need something sweet NOW" moments and you won't regret later. I added a little extra zest and used walnuts...

You can check out our complete recipe, as well as leave comments and ratings, on our Lemon Treats opens in a new tab recipe page. Did we mention that these treats happen to be gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan?Here’s how we chose the ingredients for our Lemon Treats:

  • Dates provide several nutrients including protein, iron, calcium, fiber, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, potassium, and vitamin A, just to name a few. They are thought to aid in digestion and are rich in potassium but naturally low in sodium to support a healthy nervous system and blood pressure levels. This energy-boosting dried fruit is packed with fiber, natural sugar, and other carbohydrates that provide long-lasting energy. They are extremely sweet, so a small amount goes a long way.

  • Did you know that sesame seeds are a good source of calcium and other minerals such as magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and zinc? And don’t forget the fiber and monounsaturated fats they contribute.

  • Lemons are an excellent source of vitamin C and lemon peel contains essential oils that add bright citrus flavor.

  • Walnuts are one of the best plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

  • Coconut adds not only a rich flavor and creamy texture, but also medium chain fatty acids which are more easily digested and absorbed.

We really can’t do a side-by-side comparison of these treats to traditional lemon bars, but trust us that they’re very lemony and delicious. Each treat has 3 grams of fiber, only 7 grams of sugar, and 140 calories. Bring a batch to your next summer bash.Did you miss the recipe link above? Here is the complete Lemon Treats opens in a new tab recipe.

Explore More