Do you have a huge sweet tooth while your major goal of this summer is to lose 20 pounds?

If this is the case, try dark chocolate for your cravings. Dark chocolate is not as sweet as white or milk chocolate, but it has a unique soothing taste that’s combined with sweetness, bitterness, a little bit of saltiness and sourness (depending on mixes).

According to some studies, dark chocolate, not white or mild chocolate, is good for health in the sense that it lowers high blood pressure. Dark chocolate - the richer in cocoa, the better - is a very good antioxidant, which can help prevent destructive molecules from harming /aging our body.

Cocoa is a great antioxidant containing flavanols, which lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, lung or prostate cancer, or diabetes.

Dark chocolate can also be an great energy source. It releases into the bloodstream slowly without increasing insulin levels, and therefore, its energy is sustained for longer activities.

One thing to remember is that you should have it moderately. Unfortunately, dark chocolate is loaded with calories, too. Don’t go on a chocolate binge. It’s important to keep the calories from chocolate under control. It’s a good idea that you have less carbs when you have certain amount of dark chocolate.

What I usually do is to take one or two servings to work. I figure out how much I want per day, divide it into two and put them into two separate zipper bags. I have it after lunch, sometime in the afternoon, or an hour before workout. Sometimes, I add a few more pieces per serving and try not to feel guilty. =) But I don’t do that that often. The important thing is not to go overboard. Since I don’t have much at a time, I enjoy more the rich taste of every single piece.

My husband found a very tasty dark chocolate from Target. Photo will be uploaded soon.

Sometimes I get this brand from a Korean market because they are already in pieces and easier to divide.

This entry was posted on Friday, July 4th, 2008 under Healthy Food.