Chocolate - Friend or Foe - Myth-busters

Chocolate..umm! Who doesn't love chocolates right?

Be it an adult or a kid, what is that one food we all just can't resist? Yes, it's chocolate. An absolute pleasure to have a good chocolaty dessert any time. But we all are aware that it comes with a price, arent we?

Now, when I was pensive about what my next post should be, all of sudden it occurred to me why not simplify "Chocolate The Enemy" & rephrase it as "Chocolate: A New Health Quotient!"

We all have that one person in our family who is crazy about chocolates, right? Well in my case, it's my daughter & being a conscious mother, I was always worried about the aftermath of having a good chocolate dessert. That's when I decided to bust some myths related to chocolate & invent ways to indulge in healthier variations of same old chocolate desserts.

Let's get a quick reality check on myths regarding chocolate:

Myth No:1 - Chocolate lacks any significant nutritional value.

*Fact - Indeed a bar of Dark chocolate has an antioxidant capacity as much as 2/3rd cup of blueberries. In addition to that, it also contains dietary fiber & minerals.

Myth No: 2 - Chocolate causes tooth decay, caries/cavities.

*Fact - Sugar is the real culprit behind the dental plaque & not the poor chocolate.

$Advice - Choose your chocolate wisely. Refrain from consuming milk/white chocolate as it contains a higher amount of sugar & cocoa butter than chocolate comparatively. Dark chocolate (80%) is the best variety to use as its the closest to chocolate's real form.

Myth No: 3 - Chocolate spikes weight gain leading to obesity.

*Fact - This is actually true to some extent. Clinical studies have proved that consuming one portion of chocolate every day can lower BMI (Basic metabolic index) & BMR (Basic metabolic rate), thus aiding in flux weight gain.

$Advice - Moderacy is the key here! You can enjoy a healthy version of good chocolate dessert once in 3 months.

Yes, Dark chocolate does have health benefits. Have you ever wondered why chocolates always make us happy? Dark chocolate boosts serotonin ( Mr. Happy) levels in the brain thereby improving mood swings. They also act as succor when stress hits.

Now, there are many ways to make your chocolate dessert a healthy one especially when you are making it for your kids. Omit the sugar and add honey for sweetness instead. Use only 80% Dark chocolate, Add refreshing fruits such as berries or banana to increase its nutritional value. Swap the whipped cream with whipped yogurt. Garnish your dessert with some chopped nuts or mint leaves to make it appetizing. I am sharing my "Chocolate lush hearts" recipe which is effortless to make & my daughter's all my time favorite. Trust me when I say this, it's so yummilicious to make your weekend guilt-free!

I hope you guys will surely try out this recipe on this coming weekend, until then, it's me @sumayyahafsa signing off. Stay tuned to catch up more on how to uplift your modern lifestyle with a twist of health quotient. Feel free to share your experience while making these blissful goodies anytime you like, and take a moment to comment and let me know your most appreciated feedback.

Thank you, and take care of you and your loved one's health!