It’s that time of year again. Those big heart-shaped boxes of chocolates are everywhere.
I’m sure you’ve heard that chocolate isn’t as bad for you as once believed. Chocolate has gotten a lot of media coverage in recent years because it’s believed that it may help protect your cardiovascular system due to its antioxidant power. But what impact does it have on your weight?
Although chocolate is often perceived as an indulgent and fattening food, research has shown that sustained consumption of small amounts of cocoa or dark chocolate do not increase weight. But common sense must prevail. When chocolate is processed with added ingredients (especially sugar), the end product will be a concentrated source of calories – think store-bought cookies, donuts, cake, ice cream, candy, and even cereal – making it a poor choice for your health and weight.
However, it is possible to enjoy chocolate AND maintain a healthy weight! Here’s how …
Choose dark chocolate. Go for minimally processed dark chocolate with 70 percent cocoa content or higher. This is one of my favorite brands and not just because it tastes amazing. The company uses strict standards for quality, ethical trade, and environmental sustainability.
Eat it in moderation (one ounce or less per day). When you choose a quality brand with a very rich taste, a little goes a long way. Take small bites, let it melt in your mouth, and truly savor it.
Enjoy it without guilt by creating your own healthy indulgent chocolate desserts.
- Spread a thin layer of almond butter over a 1-ounce square of dark chocolate and top with 1 tsp of all-fruit raspberry preserves.
- Cut a medjool date in half (remove pit); fill each half with natural peanut butter and a few extra dark chocolate chips; top with a sprinkle of unsweetened shredded coconut.
- Blend 4 – 6 oz. plain low fat Greek yogurt with 1 TBSP unsweetened cocoa powder, 1-2 tsp maple syrup or honey, 1 tsp cacao nibs, and ½ tsp vanilla extract; top with berries and nuts.
- Finely chop 1 ounce of dark chocolate; microwave on 50% power until almost melted, about 1-2 minutes; stir until smooth. Dip mandarin orange segments in the chocolate, place on a parchment-lined plate and chill until set, about 10 minutes.
- Make Overnight Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding. This recipe is sure to satisfy your taste for chocolate without all the added junk of the store-bought kind.
Lorraine
PS…
Do you want to learn how to get to your personal best weight without dieting? I can help you with that. Call me today and let’s talk about your struggles and come up with a solution.
