Ways To Incorporate Dark Chocolate In Your Daily Diet
March 8, 2022
Going on a diet and cutting out sweets is incredibly hard when you are a chocolate lover… If you are cutting some calorie intake, then you are surely trying to get as far as you can from desserts. Looking for more ways to incorporate dark chocolate in your daily diet? Continue reading for some tips!
Eating chocolate on a diet may seem like a dream, but there are still ways to incorporate a healthy portion of chocolates into your routine. The first thing to consider is choosing healthier types of chocolates. In fact, the higher the cocoa content is, the more benefits there are.
In a previous article, we shared about the benefits of adding chocolate to your daily diet. Today, we will show you ways to enjoy dark chocolate!
Check The Label
First thing to do is to check the label of your chocolate bar for the calorie, fat and sugar content, which could potentially affect its overall health benefit. You should consume chocolates with cocoa content that is 70% or higher. This way you are getting more antioxidants as well as less sugar and calorie content compared to other types of chocolates.
You may try swapping the whole bar to bite-sized ones. This way you can still satisfy your sweet-tooth without sabotaging your diet. However, keep in mind that although you are munching on smaller sized chocolates, you should still stop yourself from consuming everything in the box. 😊
If you are not a fan of pure dark chocolates, but still want to incorporate them into your daily lives, you can try melting them and then drizzling some into your favorite popcorn or pretzels! I remember being advised by my nutritionist to do this since it’s definitely a healthier alternative to full-sized chocolate bars, plus you now have a yummy snack idea.
Speaking of drizzling chocolates and yummy snacks, why not try creating your own trail mix and drizzle the left-over melted chocolates onto your favorite nuts? This is a great way of combining sweet and salty! And, if you still have a lot of melted dark chocolate left, you can try dipping your favorite fruits in it! I personally love chocolate-dipped strawberries, they’re aesthetic and so delicious!
Also, in the line of adding fruits, why not also add bits of dark chocolate into that fruit salad you are serving for dessert? The bitterness of the dark chocolate will balance the sweetness of the fruits. Plus, your guests will surely find your dessert very unique!
Chocolate For Breakfast
Want chocolate for breakfast? Try adding cacao nibs to your breakfast oatmeal, pancake or cereals to satisfy your cravings while reasonably satisfying a healthy meal. You can also try making a dark chocolate porridge! This is my personal favorite and I can eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even as a snack! Here in the Philippines, we just use sticky rice and cocoa powder. Mix everything until the rice is cooked and if you want to make it even tastier, add melted dark chocolate! Yum!
Another one of my favorites is for the coffee lovers out there. All you have to do is add little bits of dark chocolate into your coffee for that extra chocolate kick! You’re welcome! 😉
Now let’s turn this up a notch, shall we? If you love baking, or would love to try it, why not adding cacao nibs into your baked goodies? My mom makes a very delicious dark chocolate-chip banana loaf and sometimes she tries to add dark chocolate in her other recipes too (like cupcakes and breads)!
Want something that has low calories? Try buying (or making) a low-calorie dark chocolate yogurt. Greek yogurt comes hand-in-hand with dieting, so finding one that is chocolate flavored is a plus! You can also try chocolate chia seed pudding. We have a recipe here if you are curious to try!
Having a romantic moment? Pair dark chocolates with your wine, or look for a chocolate flavored wine. Either way will surely make your date more romantic and interesting! We have previously shared the results of our chocolate and wine pairings, including our recommendations, in an article if you want to check it out.
Last, but definitely not the least, is a very easy one… Blending some cocoa nibs or cocoa powder into a smoothie! Whether it’s your post-workout drink or your favorite protein shake, adding some chocolate will surely make it yummier and satisfying!
At the end of it all, eating chocolate has both health benefits and risks. And as long as it gives you happiness, and taken in moderation, chocolate can be a great partner in your health journey. Which one are you trying next? I am definitely trying chocolate and wine!
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