At breakfast, we should be looking for a good balance of nutrients to carry us through the day, keep our energy stable, and ensure our metabolism is functioning optimally for fat burning and good health.

In the morning, your body is looking for energy and glucose after going through its stored glycogen while you slept, and it needs the right fuel to replenish.

So, we make a point to get some fiber, complex or simple carbs, healthy fat and protein – which you can do in a shake or smoothie, with eggs and greens and a side of toast or sweet potatoes, by whipping up some protein pancakes, or with today’s new recipe that we've been working on perfecting:

Not only is the texture of these cake-like bars moist and delicious, the superfoods we've included in this recipe will really set you up to feel amazing all day long. They're gluten free and dairy free, and low on the glycemic index (pro tip! use medium ripe bananas to keep the sugar levels down).

Check out some of the benefits:

Bananas are high in fiber and minerals, a great source of antioxidants, and are easily digestible carbohydrates that add sweetness in all the right ways.

Almonds are one of the #1 food sources of Vitamin E. They are also rich in healthy fat, protein, fiber, and magnesium. (Did you know magnesium is involved in over 300 bodily functions, including blood sugar control? Make sure you get yours!)

Cacao contains an abundance of antioxidants, fiber, magnesium, essential fatty acids, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, sulfur, and calcium - to name a few.

Ginger is a fabulous source of magnesium, B6, copper, and antioxidants. It has anti-inflammatory properties, protects against motion sickness and/or nausea, and helps boost your immune system.

Cinnamon helps lower blood cholesterol, helps regulate blood sugar (which helps with cravings), can alleviate headache and migraine symptoms, and boosts both cognitive function and memory.

And now what you've all been waiting for, the recipe!

You will need: food processor, measuring cups and spoons, spatula, baking dish
Yield: 9 Bars - Serving Size 1 bar

5 bananas
1 cup almond butter
½ cup vanilla protein powder
½ cup dried fruit
½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
¼ cup cacao nibs
2 teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon allspice
¼ tsp salt (optional)

Toppings:

1/3 cup pecans, chopped
1/4 cup cacao nibs
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

1. Preheat oven to 350.
   
2. Add bananas and almond butter to food processor and blend til smooth.
3. Add in protein powder, spices, and salt, and blend together.
4. Add dried fruit and cacao nibs and pulse several times until combined.
5. Transfer to a 9x9" baking dish, pre-coated with olive oil.
6. Add toppings.
7. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
8. Cool for 10 minutes and cut into bars.