Chocolate Treats That Are Actually Good For You
Chocoholics, rejoice! Accumulating research evidence shows that eating chocolate may improve cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, and even reduce insulin resistance (Hooper et al., 2012). However, although cacao itself has been shown to have health benefits, many chocolate treats are loaded with butter, added sugar, and other ingredients that make them less than healthy. Fortunately, we have found a list of chocolate treats that are actually good for you. That means you can enjoy these cocoa-rich, healthy foods without feeling any guilt.
Dark Chocolate Almonds
Dark chocolate is teeming with beneficial antioxidants, including the flavonoids called procyanidins, catechins, and epicatechins (Rao, 2011). These flavonoids are able to counteract oxidative damage, which accumulates in cells and is associated with inflammation and disease. In fact, people with high flavonoid levels have been shown to have lower risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain types of cancer (Rao, 2011).
Even more exciting, Almonds are a superfood in their own right. Eating a diet rich in almonds also reduces your risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (WHFoods, 2014). Do keep portion sizes in mind when eating dark chocolate almonds, as a serving is equivalent to a small handful of these snacks. Overindulging can increase your total caloric intake, as almonds are an energy dense food.
Dark Chocolate Cashews
Cashew nuts are native to India & Brazil, where they have long been viewed as a delicacy. More recently, cashews have become popular throughout the world for their delicate flavor and extraordinary health benefits.
Not all fats are bad for you, and some types of fat can actually help your heart health. Cashews contain heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, including oleic and palmitoleic acids (Nutrition and You, 2012). These are essential fatty acids that have been associated with lower levels of unhealthy LDL cholesterol and higher levels of healthy HDL cholesterol. As a result, consumption of the monounsaturated fats in cashews is associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease (Kris-Etherton, 1999).
Cashews Provide Nearly 100 Percent of Your Recommended Daily Copper Intake Copper is a trace mineral that we get in very small amounts, mostly from animal sources such as crab, mussels, liver and oysters. The presence of copper is required for a variety of physiological reactions in the body (Prohaska, 2014), including reactions needed for energy production, the metabolism of iron, and neurotransmission. Failure to get enough copper has been associated with poor immune system functioning; higher risk of cardiovascular disease; increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s; and impaired bone health.
Cashews are an excellent vegetarian source of copper, providing more of the mineral than most other non-meat sources. In fact, eating a quarter-cup of cashews every day gives you 98 percent of your recommended daily intake of copper, which may decrease your risk of chronic disease (WH Foods, 2014).
- Cashews Are Protein Rich
- Eating Cashews Could Boost Your Immune System
- Cashews Are an Excellent Source of Antioxidants
- Eating Cashews Lowers Your Risk of Gallstones
Cashews are a healthy addition to any diet, and covering them with dark chocolate makes them even better. Like all nuts, strawberries are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Dark chocolate Cashews add an elegant touch to your next date night or dinner party.
Rich Hot Cocoa
Sure, the cocoa beverages you get from chain coffeeshops are often laden with extra pumps of flavored syrup, mounds of whipped cream, and drizzles of chocolate syrup. But that doesn’t mean that hot cocoa has to be unhealthy. Make an antioxidant-rich cacao beverage at home by mixing 1 heaping tablespoon of raw cacao powder into a mug of hot milk (whether dairy or your favorite rice, nut, or soy milk). Add a bit of vanilla extract and agave syrup for sweetness and flavor.
If you’re truly craving whipped cream, it is easy to make a healthy vegan whipped cream from raw cashews. Just soak 1 cup of raw cashews in ½ cup of water for three hours. Blend the mixture in a food processor, adding 1 teaspoon of honey or agave syrup for natural sweetness. With a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cacao powder, your hot cocoa will be a restaurant-quality beverage.