How to Eat Chocolate for Health

Chocolate isn't exactly the first food that comes to mind when we picture a nutritious, well rounded meal. However the beauty of food is in its little surprises, like the fact that chocolate can actually be good for your health. You can be a health nut and a chocolate lover in this best of both worlds scenario.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Stick to dark chocolate or chocolate with high amounts of cocoa. Studies have shown that dark chocolate may play a role in lowering blood pressure and helping with the elasticity of blood vessels. Cocoa contains flavonoids and monounsaturated fat. These elements may help to raise good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol.
2. Look for chocolate bars that are "all-natural," "organic" or "unroasted." Much of the chocolate you purchase at the grocery store has been processed, causing it to lose phytochemicals (the good stuff) and gain milk fat, sugar and empty calories. Visit an organic food store for a better selection.
3. Add nuts. Eating chocolate with peanuts, almonds or walnuts increases the protein value and sometimes boosts the amount of calcium, riboflavin and iron. Almonds are a source of good fat which makes a handful of dark chocolate morsels and almonds a nutritious snack.
4. Drink hot cocoa for a winter treat or drizzle dark chocolate sauce on a banana, strawberries, frozen yogurt or sorbet.
5. Keep your dosage small and consume this food sparingly. The most effective way to incorporate chocolate into your diet is in small doses. One morsel of dark chocolate after lunch is good; ten morsels after lunch is bad. Similarly, once a day is better than after every meal.

Tips & Warnings

• Milk chocolate and white chocolate do not have nearly as many healthy elements as dark and bitter forms of chocolate.
• Servings of chocolate should not replace servings of fruits and vegetables. Chocolate does have positive health effects but it can't make up for the nutrients found in other foods.