Dark chocolate has a richer but more bitter taste than milk chocolate, so it is often paired with sweet fruits, such as strawberries. Dark chocolate also contains some antioxidants and may suppress cravings for sweetness and fatty foods more than milk chocolate, so it may be more appropriate for dieters, according to a 2008 article in Science Daily. However, foods made with dark chocolate, such as dark chocolate-dipped strawberries, can be calorie-dense, so check nutrition facts closely.
Calories
Dark chocolate-dipped strawberries are low in calories as long as you limit yourself to one or two. Each dark chocolate-dipped strawberry contains 38 calories, which is significantly more than the 7 calories from a plain strawberry. Although consuming one dark chocolate-dipped strawberry is unlikely to derail your diet, snacking on them can; it would take 39 minutes of water aerobics to burn off the calories in five of these treats, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Fat Content
Dark chocolate and other types of chocolate can be high in fat, but dark chocolate-dipped strawberries have just a small amount of chocolate. One dark chocolate-dipped strawberry contains 2.3 g of fat. Of that fat, 1.6 g comes from saturated fat. Although those amounts are low, consuming five dark chocolate-dipped strawberries would provide 11.5 g of total fat and 8.3 g of saturated fat, which is more than half of the daily saturated fat limit, 16 g, suggested by the American Heart Association.
Carbohydrate Content
Dark chocolate-dipped strawberries are relatively low in carbohydrates, with each providing 4 g of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are your body's primary source of energy, and they are found in fruits, vegetables, grains and a wide variety of other foods.
Protein Content
Dark chocolate-dipped strawberries are not a good source of protein, as one of the treats provides just 0.3 g of protein. Your body uses the amino acids in protein for a number of vital roles, including repairing muscles after workouts and helping to build hormones. You can find protein in meat, fish, eggs and dairy products, among other sources.
References
- "Science Daily"; Dark Chocolate Is More Filling Than Milk Chocolate And Lessens Cravings; December 2008
- LIVESTRONG.COM MyPlate: Calories in Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberry
- LIVESTRONG.COM MyPlate: Calories in One Strawberry
- Mayo Clinic; Exercise For Weight Loss: Calories Burned in 1 Hour; December 2009
- American Heart Association; Know Your Fats; May 2011
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