Happy Chocolate Month

According to Foodimentary (a great food blog to check out), February is National Grapefruit Month, but I think National Chocolate Month is more appropriate.

I am a huge chocoholic and so through my reading I have enjoyed learning that a) I am not alone and b) it’s not the worst thing to like :)

Yumm!

The European Heart Journal recently found that people who consumed the most chocolate reduced their risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease. Even the author of The Flex Diet, says that he eats semi-sweet chocolate chips when he gets a sugar craving. His philosphy: “If you like something, don’t try to make a substitution that you won’t enjoy as much. You can have a small potion as long as 90% of what you eat otherwise is healthy.”

If you think you’re eating too much chocolate here a few tips to cut your craving:

• Add at least one sweet tasting fruit or vegetable to each meal. One great fruit: mango. for dessert try topping mango with greek yogurt and a few walnuts -- however it’s important to note that mangoes are not in season and won’t be the best tasting mango
• Take a walk. A 15 minute walk can reduce chocolate cravings significantly (it’s also proven to make you more alert for a few hours after so if you’re getting that 2 o’clock feeling and think you need chocolate to stay awake... thing about a walk)
• Eat good chocolate. Fitness magazine writes, “One ounce of high-quality chocolate is more satisfying than the less expensive kind, which isn’t as rich and flavorful.”




As I’m writing this I’m currently drinking a Dark “Carnation Breakfast Essentials” Complete Nutritional Drink. (not following #3 by eating something chocolate flavored instead of high quality chocolate... but we all break the rules sometimes) Although it does have Maltodextrin and a few other unfortunate additives, it is a great source of Protein (13 g), Calcium, Vitamin D, Citamin C, B Vitamins including vitamin B12 which vegetarians need more of, Iron, and Vitamin E. When mixed with 1 cup skim milk it’s only 220 calories with only 2% fat. (to compare: Boost- 190 cal, 11% fat, Special K protein shake- 190 cal, 8% fat.)

It’s a beautiful day out today, but presumably it will get cold again in the month of February so if you’re looking for a warm drink Here’s one the Breakfast Essentials package suggests:
Dark Caramel-Spice Hot Chocolate
3/4 cup fat free milk, heated
1 packet Dark Chocolate Flavor Breakfast Essentials
1 teaspoon fat-free caramel syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Combine all ingredients and enjoy :)

Happy February!!