Project Me: Chocolate is a Food Group
Alright. Chocolate is not a food group, but I still say that chocolate is still healthy. As long as it is dark chocolate. And in small amounts.
From About.com:
"Chocolate is made from plants, which means it contains many of the health benefits of dark vegetables. These benefits are from flavonoids, which act as antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from aging caused by free radicals, which can cause damage that leads to heart disease. Dark chocolate contains a large number of antioxidants (nearly 8 times the number found in strawberries). Flavonoids also help relax blood pressurenitric oxide, and balance certain hormones in the body. Dark chocolate is also richer and contains less sugar than its milk and white chocolate friends."
There. See? It's good for you.
I've been adding dark chocolate chips (70 calories, 8 g sugar per 30 pieces) to Chobani Vanilla Greek Yogurt (120 calories, 13 g sugar, 16 g protein per 6 ounces) for an ice cream substitute. Basically, it's amazing. I also tend to only use 4 oz yogurt vs. 6 oz.
Another dark chocolate treat I enjoy is dark chocolate kisses and almonds - just a handful. It cures my craving for milk chocolate Hershey bars with almonds. Almonds are a great source of protein, healthy fats, and vitamin E.
An even sweeter, satisfying dessert? Mix dark chocolate with a handful of dried cherries - a great source of fiber and more anti-oxidants!
So the past few weeks have been all about preparing to change for good. I've been trying to cut out the really bad stuff (cheese, donuts) while adding more good stuff (spinach, spinach, more fruit, and more spinach). Later this week starts the scary stuff like weigh-ins and starting measurements.
And one final note... I was hesitant to share all of this because I think there is enough negativity out there regarding weight and self-worth. I just hope that if anyone else out there is struggling with this, especially post-baby, that you are doing it for yourself, and to be healthy. For me, it's about staying healthy in the years to come, to be with my children in life as long as possible. Don't let it be for anyone's reasons but your own.
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Chocolate can totally be good for you. I suffer quite badly from anemia... for which the best pick-me-up is genuinely dark chocolate or steak! (or spinach... but you don't want TOO much of a good thing!) I reckon as long as you're having enough fruit and veg, a little sweet treat can't do much harm =)
ReplyDeleteThank you SO much for sharing that! I've had low iron for a long time, especially during pregnancy, this is wonderful news! As a vegetarian I've been trying to up my leafy-green intake to help, but dark chocolate is so much tastier ;-)
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