Are you tired of eating greens all day long in your weight loss journey? None of the weight loss strategy is working for you? Do you still have little cravings for sweets and chocolates, but you are just avoiding them? Well, if yes, then you don’t have to, as long as you choose the right one.
By the way, do you know best chocolate to eat while dieting are DARK CHOCOLATES.
But, dark chocolate for weight loss? How’s it even possible? This statement can be the ultimate reaction of many fitness freaks, even so, trust me, dark chocolate does benefits for weight loss. It can help you in many ways, let’s see how!
How dark chocolate helps in weight loss?
Before we jump on to how dark chocolate helps in weight loss, let’s look at the some of the benefits of consuming dark chocolates.
Benefits of eating Dark Chocolate for weight loss
Dark Chocolate Nutrition Value
Before getting into how chocolate can help you lose weight, we want to make sure that you know its nutritional content. According to USDA, a bar of dark chocolate (100 – 110g) contains 70% – 85% cocoa. The calories in the bar are around 605 cal, and 11 grams of dietary fiber. Also, dark chocolates are power-packed with Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, Proteins, and Carbohydrates. Thus, now let’s see how these components can help you lose weight in your weight loss journey:
Consuming Dark Chocolate Curbs Cravings For Sweet/Fatty Foods:
The only way many individuals end up gaining weight is by being at the mercy of cravings. But just an ounce of black chocolate can eliminate sweet, salty, and fast food cravings instantly.
Hence, try eating dark chocolate 20 minutes before a meal, and 10 minutes after the meal. In this way, chocolate will cut your appetite by up to 30% and would help you maintain weight. Also, it’s found that many dieters who included dark chocolate in their weight loss journey don’t feel deprived the whole day, and thus it gets easier for them to stick to diet plans.
Dark Chocolate Reduces Inflammation:
Dark chocolate, in particular, cocoa is rich in flavanols which are known to contain anti-inflammatory properties. Usually, chronic inflammation in the body increases insulin resistance, which results makes a person feel hungry all day long. But if consumed dark chocolate in moderation, one can get rid of the feeling of hunger (overeating). This is because the chocolate will repair and prevent the cellular damage caused by chronic inflammations.
Dark Chocolate Decreases Body Fats:
As mentioned previously, cocoa is high in flavanols – healthy plant-based compounds. And no other food on earth has such a unique blend of flavanols the way cocoa has. Flavonols come with benefits, and the major of all is, it decreases body weight and lowers blood sugar rate.
Dark Chocolate Controls Appetite:
Munching on sugary foods all day long makes a person’s body resistant to insulin. This process, as result, triggers ghrelin production – the hormone responsible for increased appetite. And people who get insulin resistant always feel hungry.
But since dark chocolates have a good amount of fibers and other nutritional values, one rarely gets the feeling of being hungry. Also, since there is decreased amount of ghrelin translates, dark chocolates keep a person’s appetite and insulin in check
Dark Chocolate Improves Metabolism:
Eating just an ounce of dark chocolate would not only boost your metabolism but also improve your gut flora. This, as a result, improves a person’s digestion process. Also, an improved metabolism rate stimulates the body to burn calories at a faster pace, so you don’t have to worry about fats!
Dark Chocolate Contains Good Fat:
Not all fat is bad for the human body, and saturated fats are among the good fats present in dark chocolates. Good fats play a major role in the process of weight loss since they keep you fuller all day long. Also, it’s found that monounsaturated fats have a positive effect on the feeling of satisfaction and improves the overall digestive health.
Dark Chocolate Reduces Stress:
Not just dark chocolate is great for weight loss but it helps in managing stress as well. It is known that individuals suffering from stress often crave comfort foods or high-fat sugary food. Also, when under stress, the body releases cortisol hormones which increase appetite and encourages a person to eat more. Whereas, when a person consumes chocolate the body releases happy hormones, serotonin, and endorphin which boosts mood. And as a result, the person not just feels happier, but even loses weight during the journey.
I recently came across an amazing Dark Chocolate by BeeTee’s Melt. The best part about this chocolate is that they do not contain refined sugar. Instead, it contains Palm sugar, which not only adds a delicious flavor but is extremely healthy. Other than that, there are some more mouth-watering flavors of chocolates that are the healthy replacement for sugary milk chocolates. Check out the collection of chocolates by BeeTee’s Melt.
FAQs about Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate
Is Dark Chocolate Healthy?
There are several studies that show that Dark chocolate is loaded with essential nutrients such as iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium, Copper, Vitamin A, B1, C, D and K that are excellent for maintaining heart health, regulating blood pressure, and support your weight loss journey.
Which Dark Chocolate is best for you?
Higher the percentage of cocoa, better is the chocolate. However, higher content of cocoa makes it bitter. Keeping that in mind, 50-80% dark chocolate is best.
What percentage of Dark Chocolate is healthy?
As mentioned above 90-100% dark chocolates are usually bitter in taste. So, 60-80% cocoa is best for consumption. So that you enjoy your bite of chocolate while losing weight.
Can Dark Chocolate reduce weight?
Research suggests that dark chocolate may help in reducing cravings and give you the feeling of fullness. This feeling of fullness may push you to limit your portion, resulting in weight loss.
What are the benefits of having dark chocolate?
Due to its higher nutritional content, Dark Chocolate can help in maintaining heart health, managing weight, treating anxiety and depression and it is also helpful in preventing skin damage.
What dark chocolate is healthiest?
Any Dark Chocolate with 60-80% of cacao content is considered healthy.
What is the best time to eat dark chocolate?
Anytime of the day is a good time for a sweet yet healthy treat.
How much dark chocolate can I eat on a diet?
Moderation is the key! Anything done and consumed in moderation is helpful. So, diet or no diet, limit your dark chocolate consumption to 1-2 slices at a time.
Wrapping Up on Dark Chocolate For Weight Loss
Dark chocolate for weight loss can be something new to a few fitness freaks, but when combined with a healthy diet and exercise, this chocolate can do wonders. However, before indulging in this sweet drip, make sure not to overindulge. The trick here is to eat in moderation, that is just an ounce a day, and you are all set to see promising results.
Weight Loss will happen, and dark chocolate truly helps!
PS: All the information mentioned above is well researched and verified by a qualified nutritionist.
Featured Image: Background photo created by valeria_aksakova – www.freepik.com
12 Comments
Crysta Coburn
October 16, 2021 at 7:27 pmVery informative! I find I tend not to overindulge in dark chocolate as much as milk chocolate.
Tamera-YourChristianBestFriend
October 16, 2021 at 11:45 pmI couldn’t stand the taste of dark chocolate but after doing keto for a while regular chocolate is too sweet. I didn’t know it could help with stress though. Thanks for this info.
Jais
October 17, 2021 at 3:53 pmDear Tamera,
Yes, it’s super easy way to lower down stress. I mostly have it for keeping my mind calm. But after a while I realized that it helps in weight management as well.
KEVIN FOODIE
October 17, 2021 at 6:58 amDark chocolate was claimed to help with weight loss. This is due to the high-fat content that makes you feel fuller for longer. If it helps with stress, then I may have to buy some.
Jais
October 17, 2021 at 3:51 pmHi Kavin,
Yes, it does helps in reducing stress. I have tried and tested it several times
Molly
October 30, 2021 at 8:43 pmI love all of the health benefits of dark chocolate! Great information. Thank you!
Kaybee Lives
October 30, 2021 at 11:11 pmThis is a post with a ton of useful info! I use dark chocolate as an occasional tool to satisfy my sweet tooth without many calories. Often in the evening I just need a little sweet to offset the savory dinner. Thanks for sharing!
Emotions Chaser
October 31, 2021 at 12:06 amThanks for sharing!! Interesting information!!
Cori
December 14, 2021 at 4:01 amOh my Gosh! You just made me the happiest woman!
Flawless World
December 27, 2021 at 8:29 pmThis is such an informative and helpful article for those who are trying to lose weight or trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle! Thank you for sharing!
W. Santiago | Literal Med
May 2, 2022 at 7:19 pmYes, dark chocolate is beneficial for your health. We just have to be careful not to overeat to avoid extra calories. Thanks!
Pastor Natalie (ExamineThisMoment)
May 3, 2022 at 4:21 amLove love love dark chocolate for sure. ☺️ You included some great tips and important facts. Thank you for sharing this post. ☺️
Pastor Natalie (ExamineThisMoment)
Letstakeamoment.com