One of the hardest obstacles people face when they go on a diet, particularly if you are a chocoholic, is letting go of sweets. Chocolate treats in particular can be an especially huge challenge for many. There is some hope for those who love chocolates however. What many people don’t know is there some types of chocolate that are actually good for you.
Chocolate is filled with anti-oxidants and flavonoids, which help with cardiovascular health and build a stronger immune system. These also assist in reducing the risk of developing certain cancers and the creation of blood clots that can lead to strokes. These can also reduce signs of aging by lowering the number of free radicals in your body.
Not All Chocolates are Created Equal
While there are findings that support these health claims that chocolate manufacturers and producers make, you have to remember that not all chocolates are the same. Some are actually unhealthy for you and can even cause you more harm than good. The type of chocolate you choose has a bearing on the kind of benefits you get from this tasty treat.
Options you have for chocolates include white, milk, and dark. For those who have been reading up on the benefits of chocolate from a variety of sources, you should know by now that the best choice for good health when it comes to indulging your chocolate cravings is dark chocolate. The darker variant has more flavonoids and anti-oxidants than its white or milk chocolate counterparts.
Dark chocolate has even been compared with red wine when it comes to the health benefits that it brings to a person when it is ingested regularly but sparingly. Milk chocolate can still give you the flavonoids and anti-oxidants that you are looking for when you eat it, but in lower quantities. White chocolate, sad to say, is not in this group. It does not have the kind of healthy chemicals found in darker chocolate and is actually more sugar than anything else.
Swearing Off Chocolate for a Healthier Body?
While it is okay for you to eat up to 60 grams of dark chocolate in a day for good health, anything above that is not advisable. You should also be aware that you are also taking in the sugar content of the chocolate treat you are eating, something you have to factor in when consuming chocolate. Some people find that the only way to actually live a healthy life without suffering the consequences of the other unhealthy substances found even in a bar of dark chocolate is to swear off chocolate altogether.
Those who find it hard to control themselves from consuming more than the recommended 1/2 bar of dark chocolate for good health do this to steer clear of the repercussions that come with it. If you love chocolate and find that you cannot live without it, you don’t really need to suffer. With some discipline, you can enjoy your favorite treat and still maintain a healthy lifestyle.
If you still find it difficult to stop at half a bar of chocolate when you indulge, why not find a healthier alternative instead? Why not try looking for a sugar-free substitute to your tasty treat? Or better yet, why not try a healthy glass of chocolate flavored nut-based milk? It gives you the health benefits of plant-based milk with the amazing flavor of chocolate at the same time.
Healthy options like plant-based milk come in chocolate and other flavors that you will love. You get the tasty treat that you want without the unhealthy repercussions you dread for indulging. You can even find these in high protein variants for when you need more protein for your workout.
You don’t need to remove chocolate from your life if you can’t live without it. You have to enjoy life to make it worthwhile. You don’t have to suffer the consequences however, and you can still enjoy the flavor of chocolate without compromising your health by making the right choices.