What would the Holiday SEASON be without chocolate?

Written by: Marina Shevel, FMCHC., AADP Certified Functional Medicine and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach

Powerfully comforting, creamy, delicious—many people eat chocolate at least several times a week. During the holiday season, chocolates are one of the most desired food by both adults and children.

Which begs the question...

Is chocolate good for you?

The answer is both yes and no.

Chocolate has been used for centuries to treat bronchitis, sexual malaise, 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.

But eat the wrong kind and you’ll get loads of sugar, calories, and junky ingredients.

How to Eat it Responsibly:

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?

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 beans in chocolate. For maximum health benefits, look for dark chocolate that has 75% to 85% cacao.
Go raw—or as unprocessed as possible.

Enjoy!

If you’re interested in learning more about how to incorporate your guilty pleasures into your daily routine, contact me today for a consultation and we can figure out what works best for you!