When your favorite movies are Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Chocolat,
it’s kind of hard to hide the fact that you are a chocolate-obsessed. I love
chocolate. No matter how much I eat, I can still eat more. I’m always up for a
brownie or a cup of hot chocolate (I happen to make the best hot chocolate by
the way). Well if you’re like me, then I have good news: our favorite afternoon snack is as good
for you as it is good to eat!
What makes chocolate so healthy? Chocolate is made from
plants so it has many of the health benefits of dark vegetables (a nice
alternative to beets if you ask me). The antioxidants found within chocolate are
beneficial for your cardiovascular system. Dark chocolate is chock full of
flavonoids and catechins, two powerful antioxidants that capture free radicals
and other harmful molecules running loose in your body. Destroying free
radicals prevents aging, so I guess you can say that chocolate keeps you
looking younger too! Not only does
chocolate help slow aging, it also lowers cholesterol and prevents blood clots
which can ultimately cause a heart attack.
Chocolate can also help you feel better too. Eating chocolate stimulates endorphins which make
you happier and help you feel pleasure. The serotonin found in chocolate can
lift your mood, since serotonin is a natural anti-depressant and helps you feel
relaxed. With all these endorphins and serotonin, it’s no wonder chocolate can
lower your blood pressure too!
Now before you go golden ticket crazy and eat every
chocolate-y treat inside, there are some guidelines you should be aware of:
Not all chocolate is healthy for you; High-quality, dark
chocolate is the way to go when considering your health. Aim for a dark
chocolate that is at least 70% cacao
(you can check this on the package). I like Trader Joe’s 73% Dark Chocolate
Truffle Bars; they’re vegan-friendly and at only 58 calories a serving, hard to
resist! If you’re afraid of the bitter taste that is associated with dark
chocolate, try a dark chocolate with nuts or orange peel. This will break up
the taste of the dark chocolate. Just make sure to steer clear of dark
chocolates with caramel or nougat; these fluffy fillers are all sugar and can
potentially zero-out any health benefit.
Just because its dark chocolate, doesn’t give you license to
go overboard. Despite its many health benefits, dark chocolate still has
calories, which can lead to weight gain. Make sure to stick to the serving size
in order to maximize the positive health effects. With the right serving size,
dark chocolate can be a great afternoon snack and bode away your craving for
sweet, sugary snacks. Dark chocolate also contains just enough caffeine to keep you focussed past 2 o'clock,
and it’s calorie count will surely rival the double-whip mocha you were just
thinking about….
Finally, I cannot stress this enough; High- Quality dark chocolate will reap the maximum benefit. It’s
important to make sure your eating chocolate that is pure and free of other
substances that are not beneficial to
your body. Which means it’s okay to push past your run-of-the-mill Snickers,
Milkyway, and Reese’s, and treat yourself to something a little richer.
I can’t think of a more perfect afternoon than lounging in my Ella Moss cover-up and enjoying some quality dark chocolate. Now who is
ready to go make a Trader Joe’s chocolate run?
Xoxo
Noor
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