Chocolate. Is It Good For Me?

Chocolate is the only ingredient that is its very own food group. Well not really – but it seems as if it should be.  Powerfully comforting, creamy, delicious – many people eat chocolate several times a week.  Which begs the question…is chocolate good for me?  The answer is both yes and no. Let me explain:

Chocolate has been used for centuries to treat bronchitis, fatigue, hangovers, anemia, depression, memory loss, high blood pressure, sexual malaise, poor eyesight, and more. It also helps release that feel-good neurotransmitter – serotonin – in the brain. But eat the wrong kind and you’ll get loads of sugar, calories, and junky ingredients.

Chocolate begins life as raw cacao (pronounced kah-kow) beans. Loaded with antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and plant phenols, cacao is a powerful superfood.  However, the more processed cacao becomes (think commercially produced candy bars), the fewer healthy components remain.  Follow these tips for responsible chocolate noshing:

• Don’t be afraid of the dark. The darker the chocolate, the more beneficial cacao it contains.
  
  
• Know your percentages: the number on the dark chocolate packaging refers to the percentage of cacao bean in chocolate. For maximum benefit, look for dark chocolate that has 75% to 85% cacao.
  
  
• Go raw – or as unprocessed as possible. The same label rules apply as processed foods – the less ingredients, the better.
  
  
• Remember proper portions. A small piece of high-quality chocolate is very satisfying. 
  
  

Would you like personalized assistance with becoming a healthier version of yourself? Visit www.sarawolfsen.com or email me at sarawolfsen@gmail.com to get started.

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Sara Wolfsen is a Certified Health Coach who specializes in helping people make their own healthy changes by providing private health coaching, nutrition education and wellness classes, and gentle weight-loss guidance and support.  Schedule your complimentary coaching session and learn more online at www.sarawolfsen.com.