What are your thoughts on chocolate – healthy or not? There is so much controversy in the health and wellness field, so hopefully this post clears things up for you! Today I will be breaking it down and sharing some of my favorite healthy chocolate options with you!
So, is chocolate good for your health? Well, the answer is both yes and no. Chocolate has been used for centuries to treat bronchitis, fatigue, hangovers, anemia, depression, memory loss, high blood pressure, poor eyesight, and more. It also helps release that feel-good neurotransmitter—serotonin—in the brain (which keeps us coming back for more!). . But, eat the wrong kind of chocolate and you’ll get loads of sugar and junky ingredients — both of which I’m guessing you don’t want in your life!
Chocolate begins life as raw cacao (pronounced kah-kow) beans. Loaded with antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and plant phenols, cacao is a powerful superfood. The more processed cacao becomes, however—think commercially produced candy bars—the fewer healthy components remain.
So, how to get the most out of your chocolate fix? Follow these tips!
How to Choose the Best Chocolate
Don’t be afraid of the dark. The darker the chocolate, the more beneficial cacao it contains.
Know your percentages: the number on dark chocolate packaging refers to the percentage of cacao bean in chocolate. For maximum health benefit, look for dark chocolate that has 75% to 85% cacao.
Go raw—or as unprocessed as possible.
Low Sugar—choose brands that have low/no sugar or that use natural sweeteners!
Here are some of my favorite brands of chocolate that I enjoy when I’m needing chocolate.
My Favorite Chocolate Brands
Hu Kitchen Salty Dark Chocolate
Equal Exchange Organic Extreme Dark Chocolate
Green and Blacks Organic Dark Chocolate
Pacari Chocolate Raw Dark Chocolate
Alter Eco Super Blackout
Evolved Chocolate Dark Chocolate
Lily’s Sweets Stevia Sweetened Chocolate
Blissfully Better Dark Chocolate
I hope you’ll try these brands out and see how good you feeling eating real, unprocessed, dark chocolate! Dark chocolate may take some time getting used to, but I promise it will be worth it in the long run.
What are your favorite healthy chocolate options?