“Ever get a sugar high? Does chocolate make you feel happy and satisfied? Then you have experienced how food affects mood,” writes Susan Kleiner, Ph.D., R.D., in The Good Mood Diet: Feel Great While You Lose Weight (Springboard Press, 2007). Studies show that what and when we eat directly affects our mood.

The yummy recipe below, created for Kleiner’s Good Mood Diet Club by Karen Friedman-Kester, M.S., R.D., combines the chewy texture of dried apricots and the protein- and vitamin-packed crunch of roasted almonds with the tartness of serotonin-boosting bittersweet chocolate to satisfy your snack cravings — and improve your mood.

Stuffed Apricots
Serves 8

16 dried apricots

16 unsalted whole almonds, roasted

2 ounces bittersweet chocolate

1/2 cup finely chopped almonds

Directions: With the tip of a sharp knife, make a small slit in each apricot and insert 1 whole almond. Carefully heat the bittersweet chocolate in the microwave on low until melted and smooth, about 1 1/2 minutes. Dip each apricot on the cut side into the warm chocolate and then into the chopped nuts. Place on parchment or wax paper until chocolate hardens.

NUTRITION SCORE:
Serving size: 2 apricots

Tags: fruit, snack