Chocolate is often considered an indulgent treat that contains a large amount of fat and calories. Eating a lot of chocolate may lead to a decrease in health and an increase in weight, but eating the right kind of chocolate in small amounts may actually satisfy your craving and benefit your health at the same time. Elizabeth Somer, author of "Eat Your Way To Happiness: 10 Diet Secrets to Improve Your Mood, Curb Your Cravings and Keep the Pounds Off," suggests that chocolate can be part of a healthy diet when eaten in moderation.
Step 1
Choose dark chocolate. Select a dark chocolate bar rather than milk chocolate because dark chocolate has less fat and fewer calories than any other type of chocolate, recommends David Katz and Maura Gonzalez, authors of "Way to Eat: A Six-Step Path to Lifelong Weight Control."
Step 2
Eat a small section of the dark chocolate bar at a time. Even though dark chocolate has less calories and fat than other chocolate, it is still considered a treat rather than a food you can eat large amounts of. Eat one or two sections of dark chocolate when you get a craving for something sweet. Dark chocolate is still sweet enough that it can satisfy a craving but will not compromise your daily calorie and fat intake.
Step 3
Buy one dark chocolate bar at a time so you are not tempted to eat more than you should. Take your time choosing a bar that contains your favorite ingredients, such as raspberries or oranges, and savor each section rather than consuming the entire thing in one sitting.
Tips and Warnings
- A small piece of dark chocolate each day may improve the health and appearance of your skin, notes Somer. Women who eat dark chocolate on a daily basis experience better blood flow, which makes your skin look younger and healthier. Dark chocolate comes in several varieties. Look for one that is at least 70 percent cacao because it will have higher amounts of antioxidants than other varieties. Try using dark chocolate in your baking recipes to increase the nutrition while also decreasing the total fat and calories in your treat. Many stores sell dark chocolate chips to use in cookies, muffins or pancakes.
- Stick to a 1-oz. serving of dark chocolate at a time because any more than that will result in too many calories and too much fat, recommends Somer. Pass on chocolate that is dark chocolate flavored because it may not contain the properties that make real dark chocolate a healthier choice than other chocolates.
References
- "Eat Your Way To Happiness: 10 Diet Secrets to Improve Your Mood, Curb Your Cravings and Keep the Pounds Off"; Elizabeth Somer; 2009
- "Way to Eat: A Six-Step Path to Lifelong Weight Control"; David Katz and Maura Gonzalez; 2004
Member Comments