If your guilty pleasure is chocolate, you may not need to give it up just yet. Chocolate may not be as bad as you think according to recent research.
Dark chocolate has been proven to positively affect your health. So, if you are looking to get your daily chocolate fix, eating 1-3 squares of dark chocolate could provide you with health benefits.
Read more to find out what some of the key benefits of eating chocolate are.
Not just a treat!
When consumed in moderation, dark chocolate can make a great snack. High-quality cocoa can contain a decent amount of fibre, iron, copper and minerals. Adding a piece a day can add a touch of antioxidants to your diet.
Some of the health benefits of eating dark chocolate are:
- Improves blood flow
- Improves mood and can reduce anxiety
- Lowers heart disease risk
- Is full of antioxidants
- Can be very nutritious
- Can lower cholesterol
Adding it to your meals!
When looking for the best chocolate, look for the one with highest cocoa content. The higher the cocoa, the better the chocolate will be for you.
There are a variety of ways you can look at adding chocolate in your breakfast or dessert. For example:
-Cocoa powder
This can be mixed into your porridge and even added to a protein shake or hot chocolate for a light, smooth drink full of health benefits!
- Chocolate chips
Chocolate chips can be great when paired with berries on yoghurt or in your favourite desserts. They can help your sweet tooth whilst also boosting your daily minerals without sacrificing calories!
–Chocolate slabs
If you are looking for chocolate slabs, look for something 70% and over. These can be melted to be added to baking or even moderated throughout the week.
Making the swap
The good news for chocolate isn’t over yet. By making a change from milk or plain to dark, you will reduce sugar in your diet. This can definitely make an impact for those who are looking to loose weight and make changes to their diet.
When looking to buy dark chocolate in supermarkets, make sure you choose the organic and natural. As others may be full of sugar and contain far less cocoa content as a result.
So, if you’re a chocoholic, feeding your cravings does not need to be something you need to worry about. By making the switch to a chocolate with higher cocoa content you will be able to fit in chocolate in your daily diet!
Why not share these ideas with your chocolate loving friends?
