The Truth About Chocolate

Chocolate, chocolate, oh my!

 With Valentine’s Day around the corner and a heart of chocolates possibly coming your way soon, let me share with you the truth about chocolate.  I know you have all heard it before, but it sure is true that dark chocolate is the most nutritious pick when it comes to chocolate. 

Before all you milk chocolate lovers start to sigh and dream of regular Hershey kisses dancing in your head, hear me out.  Dark chocolate does not only offer more benefits than milk chocolate, but it also tastes good.  Not a believer?  You may have to try a few until you find the one you like best!  And besides, I am not a proponent of deprivation.  If you like milk chocolate and want it every so often, so be it.  But consider trading in a few pieces for dark when you can!

Notice the "cocoa processed with alkali"

The Scoop:  What’s so great about dark chocolate versus milk chocolate?  According to the Mayo Clinic, dark chocolate contains a higher amount of antioxidants (flavanols to be exact) and has been linked with improved blood pressure and cholesterol levels.  The raw cacao beans used to make chocolate products are of course the source of these flavanols, but sugar and processing make chocolate products tastier.  The more processing that occurs the less the flavanol content.  The best options for high flavanol content are dark chocolate that does not list sugar as the first ingredient and unsweetened 100 percent cocoa powder that has not been alkalized (or Dutch processed).    

A study done at Italy’s National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research in Rome showed that milk may interfere with the absorption of antioxidants from chocolate and may negate the potential health benefits that can be derived from eating moderate amounts of dark chocolate.  What this means for you?  Don't drink milk with your dark chocolate or you will decrease the health benefits of that dark chocolate you are eating.  And yes, milk chocolate contains milk as well (hence the name) so the antioxidant content is much lower.

Bri’s Take: I love having a square of dark chocolate whenever a sweet craving arises.  However, for me it has always been hard deciphering whether or not all dark chocolate is created equal.   It’s far too easy to grab the first “dark chocolate” bag or bar that you see, but here are a few tips to make sure you grab a good one:

My fave- Endangered Species brand!

• Sugar should not be the first ingredient
• Choose a cocoa content of 65% or higher (I like to go even higher- 75% or above)
• Some dark chocolate bars even help a cause (Endangered Species brand is a GREAT one!)
• Most bars also come in bag options with individually- packaged squares, which are perfect for those of you who have a hard time resisting temptation & need the built- in portion control
• If taste is a barrier, choose a dark chocolate with something in it (like almonds, mint flavor, espresso beans, or sea salt) or eat a square with a few raw almonds if you already bought the plain version

No need to go overboard either.  Dark chocolate still is high in calories so if you treat yourself daily, keep the calories to around 100 by choosing just 2 squares or breaking off a few smaller squares on a chocolate bar!  Yum!

Eat well,

Bri