Eating chocolate is one of life's great pleasures. But how do you indulge this passion without feeling guilty? Koketso Mokoena-Nyawo has a few tips.
We all love a bit of chocolate in our lives but we also want to watch those calories and make sure our diet is nourishing and nutritious. Fortunately there are more than a few alternative ways to enjoy chocolate without the guilt.
Portion Control
The easiest and most practical way to do this is to choose individually wrapped treats. That way you not only reduce the temptation of an open bar of choc, but you can also take just a few sweets with you to work for your afternoon tea. Makes sense, right? Check out Amajoya’s delicious Double Chocolate Flavoured Candy with milk choc centre – you’ll only need a couple of these to satisfy the chocoholic in you.
Go for Dark Chocolate
By now, most of us know that eating dark chocolate has benefits: made from the seeds of cacao trees, it’s a source of antioxidants and can even lower the risk of heart disease. The next time you’re at the store, standing in front of a line of chocolates and thinking about how to eat healthier, look for the dark chocolate slabs. Don’t just choose any one; buy good quality dark chocolate with a high cocoa content (80% to 90% dark chocolate) as this makes it more nutritious. As a rule of thumb, you can have up to 30g of dark chocolate every day without feeling too guilty about the calories – once again, it’s all about finding the right balance in terms of portion control.
Dip Fruit in Chocolate
Who can resist a chocolate-dipped strawberry? Dipping fruit into melted chocolate is actually one of the best ways to enjoy your favourite treat. You get to satisfy your cravings but also get the benefits of superfoods. This could be a way to ensure you eat that one apple a day. You could even try dipping vegetables such as asparagus and broccoli!
Add a Chocolate Twist to Breakfast
Chocolate for breakfast is a perfectly valid life choice. Keep it on the nourishing side by sprinkling some raw cacao powder into your oatmeal or trail mix. Include some fresh, sliced bananas and nuts, and it’s a party in your mouth. Get creative and experiment with the different forms of chocolate, for example chocolate shavings, whole cacao beans, or chocolate chips.
Pay Attention to Quality of Ingredients
You can eat healthier by paying attention to the ingredients, not only in the chocolates you buy but also in the chocolate recipes you choose to make. Amajoya, for example, makes candy with real cocoa and real dairy. It’s also free from gluten, trans fats and non-nutritive sweeteners, and only features natural flavours and colourants.
Blend Chocolate into a Smoothie
Smoothies are perfect for those busy mornings when you just can’t find the time to whip out a pan and make a full English breakfast. You can pack so much nutrition into one on-the-go bottle. So why not make it even tastier by adding chocolate chips, a few squares of chopped dark chocolate or unsweetened cocoa powder? As a bonus, chocolate and fruit will help to mask any bitterness from greens such as kale or spinach.
Vegan Chocolate
Plant-based foods are a great option. You can buy vegan chocolate at your local store or make your own at home: just replace the dairy in chocolate treats with avocado, pumpkin puree, nuts, or a plant-based dairy option.
Consider Sugar-free Options
One of the best things about innovative food technology is the introduction of sugar-free foods, including sugar-free candies. These types of candies use artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes to create a sweet taste while foregoing real sugar, which results in fewer calories. Your teeth will thank you for it, too. Take a look at Amajoya’s wide variety of tasty sugar-free candies, several of which feature a delicious cocoa filling for that chocoholic fix!
At the end of the day, it is never good to deprive yourself of something you love to eat. So why not come up with alternative ways to enjoy your favourite sweet treats and keep that joyful smile on your face. It’s about moderation and balance – and chocolate is good for the soul!
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