Whether you're trying to shed a few pounds or simply interested in having the most nutritious diet possible, healthy chocolate substitutes can help you satisfy your sweet tooth with no guilt. Although they won't enable you to make cookies, cakes, fudge and candy bars the bulk of your diet, chocolate substitutes will help you add enough nutrition to your favorite treats that you can justify saying "yes" to dessert at the end of your meal.
Carob
Carob, which is sometimes referred to as locust bean, locust pod, St. John's bread, or algarroba, can be a healthy substitute for chocolate. Carob powder is comparatively low in calories and a good source of potassium. It is low-fat, low-sodium, and high-fiber, with enough natural sweetness that you don't need to add many calorie-laden sweeteners when baking with it.
Carob doesn't taste entirely identical to chocolate and lacks the caffeinated "kick" that many people find most appealing when sampling chocolate goodies. However, if you're willing to do a little experimentation, you'll find that carob brownies and carob fudge can be almost as good as those made with traditional chocolate. Fans of the chocolate and peanut butter combination will find that recipes including peanut butter help to somewhat improve the taste of the carob powder.
Chocolate Sapote
Chocolate sapote, also known as black sapote or black persimmon, is sometimes called the chocolate fruit by health food fans. The fruit is a shiny dark green colored with small brown specs. The interior flesh is dark brown and looks unappealing at first glance. However, the sliced fruit itself make a healthy snack and a great dessert when paired with milk or citrus juice. You can also use this fruit to prepare a pudding that tastes very similar to a fine chocolate mousse or to make ice cream treats.
Chocolate sapote is native to Mexico and Guatemala, but can be cultivated in Florida, Hawaii, the Philippines, and the Dominican Republic. The trees are considered relatively easy to grow, although two trees are needed to ensure cross pollination. The chocolate sapote bears fruit in three to four years.
Acai Berry
The acai berry has received a lot of attention recently as an aid for weight loss. The berry also has antioxidant properties that could help prevent conditions such as heart disease and cancer. However, people interested in finding a healthy chocolate substitute will be most interested in learning that the acai berry itself tastes like a vibrant blend of blueberries, raspberries and chocolate.
The acai berry is approximately 1 inch long and a reddish purple color. It comes from the acai palm tree, which is native to Central and South America. You can find the acai berry for sale in select health food and gourmet stores.
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