Chocolate is a common craving, and for good reason: it's delicious, creamy and satisfying. Unfortunately, a serving of chocolate that's more than an ounce or so can deliver an unhealthy amount of calories, saturated fat and sugar, so it's worthwhile to limit yourself or seek out alternatives that offer health benefits as well as a rich chocolate flavor.
Chocolate Snack Bars
Most granola bars or energy bars with chocolate flavor are packed with added sugar, salt or preservatives, but some are healthy choices that offer nutrients, vitamins and minerals with limited sugar. The Lärabar company manufactures health-food bars in small, compact packages that come in a wide variety of flavors, including quite a few chocolate variations. The pure chocolate bar will satisfy any chocolate craving and tastes a lot like a brownie, but its only ingredients are dates, almonds, walnuts, cocoa powder, unsweetened chocolate and cashews, making it a far healthier option than a bar of pure chocolate.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate contains antioxidants, which take away harmful oxidants from the bloodstream. According to the Cleveland Clinic, antioxidant-rich foods can help strengthen your immune system and destroy free radicals, potentially harmful atoms that can damage cellular components in the body. If you're snacking on pure dark chocolate, though, make sure to limit the amount you eat. Stick to eating an ounce or less of chocolate, and pair it with another healthy snack like raw nuts, fresh fruit or yogurt to add more nutrients and help you stay full longer.
Hot Cocoa
Hot cocoa made with low-fat milk can offer beneficial protein and calcium while limiting calories and fat. According to KidsHealth.org, a cup of hot cocoa is a far healthier choice than a chocolate bar, which can have as many as 250 calories and 13 grams of fat. One 6-ounce serving of hot cocoa, on the other hand, has only about 140 calories and 3 grams of fat. Cocoa may help keep you full for a longer period of time than pure chocolate as well, since sugar provides the body with only a short burst of energy, but protein has more sustained power.
Trail Mix or Granola
Making your own granola or trail mix and adding in small amounts of chocolate chips or crushed chocolate is usually a healthier choice than buying pre-packaged mixes, which often have a lot of added sugar or salt. Limit the total amount of chocolate and sweeteners you add to your mix, make the mix with dark or unsweetened chocolate instead of milk chocolate, and make sure to include healthy items such as rolled oats, raw nuts, flaxseed or wheat germ.
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