National Chocolate Day: Enjoy It Guilt-Free
Posted on Oct 28th 2009 4:00PM by Deborah DunhamFiled Under: Diet & Weight Loss
Chocoholics rejoice! Today is National Chocolate Day. But before you stick a fork in that piece of chocolate cake, there are a few nutritional facts about chocolate you should know.
Several years ago, new research claimed chocolate was full of healthy antioxidants and could actually be good for you. All of this hype sent some straight to the nearest bakery. Not a good idea. While it's true that chocolate is made from pure cacao beans, which contain powerful antioxidants, once it is manufactured, many of these beneficial ingredients are processed out. Some chocolatiers advertise that their bars have antioxidants added back in, but they can also add mega doses of sugar and fat.
Don't despair though. If you choose your chocolate wisely, you can avoid the unhealthiest selections and may even help your heart and waistline while satisfying your sweet tooth. Start by looking at the label. Chocolate is usually labeled with the percentage of cacao it contains. This indicates the intensity of chocolate in the bar. For example, 30 percent is milk chocolate, 35 percent is dark milk chocolate, 50 percent is semisweet and anything above 70 percent is bittersweet.
While you probably don't want to bite into a piece of bittersweet chocolate (think baking chocolate), dark chocolate is the best choice. It has less sugar, more flavor and retains higher amounts of antioxidants. Also, the fat in dark chocolate contains oleic acid -- the same heart-healthy fat found in olive oil, and palmitic acid, which can lower cholesterol.
Concerned about the effects of chocolate on your weight? Follow this one simple rule: More is not better. An occasional piece of plain dark chocolate can ward off cravings. Even Lauren Conrad, from MTV's "The Hills," confessed to That's Fit blogger Ashley Neglia that she indulges in a tiny square of dark chocolate every day.
If you are a true chocolate connoisseur and want a new experience, try this La Creme du Chocolate Superfoods recipe.
Several years ago, new research claimed chocolate was full of healthy antioxidants and could actually be good for you. All of this hype sent some straight to the nearest bakery. Not a good idea. While it's true that chocolate is made from pure cacao beans, which contain powerful antioxidants, once it is manufactured, many of these beneficial ingredients are processed out. Some chocolatiers advertise that their bars have antioxidants added back in, but they can also add mega doses of sugar and fat.
Don't despair though. If you choose your chocolate wisely, you can avoid the unhealthiest selections and may even help your heart and waistline while satisfying your sweet tooth. Start by looking at the label. Chocolate is usually labeled with the percentage of cacao it contains. This indicates the intensity of chocolate in the bar. For example, 30 percent is milk chocolate, 35 percent is dark milk chocolate, 50 percent is semisweet and anything above 70 percent is bittersweet.
While you probably don't want to bite into a piece of bittersweet chocolate (think baking chocolate), dark chocolate is the best choice. It has less sugar, more flavor and retains higher amounts of antioxidants. Also, the fat in dark chocolate contains oleic acid -- the same heart-healthy fat found in olive oil, and palmitic acid, which can lower cholesterol.
Concerned about the effects of chocolate on your weight? Follow this one simple rule: More is not better. An occasional piece of plain dark chocolate can ward off cravings. Even Lauren Conrad, from MTV's "The Hills," confessed to That's Fit blogger Ashley Neglia that she indulges in a tiny square of dark chocolate every day.
If you are a true chocolate connoisseur and want a new experience, try this La Creme du Chocolate Superfoods recipe.
