Oh yes, you heard me right… Chocolate for weight loss! Who would of ever thought that amazing word would be in the same sentence as weight loss!? If you are anything like me and the mere mention of chocolate is enough to make your heart melt, then this post is most certainly for you! However, most people know that eating chocolate is not the best idea when you’re trying to cut back on the lbs. Well The Blogery is here to save your life, again 😉
The Blogery teamed up with Isabel Smith, MS, RD, CDN, registered dietitian and founder of Isabel Smith Nutrition, to tell you exactly what to look for and what to avoid when it comes to chocolate. Here are some amazing chocolates that will actually help aid you in your mission to lose weight and get healthy!
::Amazing Chocolates for your Bod::
1. Nibmor Extreme
This is one of my personal favs because it doesn’t taste like healthy-gross-stuff. The secret to chocolate’s superpowers lies in the cocoa bean. In its purest form, without any added sugar or other ingredients, cocoa contains flavanols that have anti-inflammatory properties. Getting more of these healthy nutrients can help cut your risk for heart disease, cancer and diabetes, and also help keep your metabolism going strong! Nibmor Extreme has only five ingredients, the first of which is organic cacao. The nibs in this bar offer a fun crunch and are bursting with flavonols. If you have trouble sticking to a serving *like me*, this flavor also comes in prepackaged serving squares for only 50 calories a pop.
2. Theo Salted Almond
I have yet to try this one, but it looks really, really yummy. If you’ve never had healthy dark chocolate, your taste buds might be a little shocked the first time you bite into one of these bars. The darker the bar, the more bitter it will taste — but the better it will be for your health and waistline. If you need to work up to the black coffee-colored bars, that’s ok. “The higher the percentage of cacao the better, but you’ll get some health benefits at 55% cacao,” says Smith. The Theo Salted Almond bar is a good entry-level dark chocolate bar because the bitterness doesn’t hit you the way that it does with 80% or higher cacao bars. The almonds also offer an added health boost thanks to their combination of plant-based protein, fiber and healthy fats, which work together to keep hunger and cravings away *poof,be gone*.
3. Endangered Species Mint
This sounds super interesting, like the fact that it’s endangered makes you want to run out and get one before they’re all gone or something. “Chocolate is not a low-calorie food,” Smith warns. “Aim for a 1-ounce serving, which is about 200 calories,” she suggests. The best way to include chocolate in your diet is to plan ahead. If you know you’re going to want a chocolatey snickitty-snack indulgence later in the day, be mindful of your earlier meals to make room for it. The little squares also make it super easy to grab on the go or stash in your desk at work for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. With 72% cocoa and some added mint for flavor, these squares can help squash pesky sweet cravings with just a few nibbles.
4. Alter Eco Blackout
Ooooo, this bar sounds super fierce, like Beyonce! A main diet concern with chocolate is the sugar content — even when you’re shopping for dark. Sugar can cause major damage to your poor body. Causing weight gain, shifts in mood and screwed up energy levels. Consuming too much can also increase your risk of more serious health problems like diabetes and cancer. And, unfortunately, grabbing any dark chocolate bar won’t help you avoid these issues, so always read the label. “Aim for 10 to 15 grams of sugar or less per serving,” suggests Smith. Get it right, and you’ll enjoy a seriously satisfying low-sugar treat: “Extremely dark chocolates (88% cacao for example) will generally have around 5 grams of sugar per serving.” This Alter Eco bar has only 6 grams, making it a number one pick if your taste buds can handle it. In fact, it’s one of the best options for weight loss out there — as long as you stick to one serving! *BINGO* This sounds like my new go to bar! 😉
I know Amy, healthy foods and snacks don’t always look/smell/taste appealing, but these aren’t so bad and will help satisfy the almighty sweet tooth, while still helping you slim down that figure! Keep in mind, only eating these chocolate bars and no portion control and lack of exercise will not help you lose weight! I said The Blogery is here to help you out, not perform magic! It is all about making healthy choices, one step at a time *as I slowly lower the Reeses Cup from my mouth*
Grab a bar and let me know what you think!
-Sincerely,
Girl who is going to need some serious adjusting
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