One big reason why a lot of diet and weight loss plans fail is that people have a sweet tooth and can’t resist the temptation to either sneak a sweet snack here and there, or lose control one day with a candy binge and decide to give up. Don’t worry, there is a way for you to have your cake and eat it too!
One extremely successful method I have found for keeping clients on track, while allowing them to have their sweet fix every day, is to encourage them to have a piece (about 1 oz.) of dark chocolate one time throughout the day, usually right after dinner. If you know that you are going to get your daily treat, you will be less inclined to cheat.
Not only is the chocolate sweet and satisfying for your palette, but it has a host of health benefits too! Dark chocolate contains compounds called flavonols, a type of flavonoid that helps prevent the clogging of arteries and can lessen the risk for strokes and heart attacks. Flavonols also help with the production of nitric oxide, which has been shown to increase blood flow, decrease blood pressure and improve insulin sensitivity.
If you still have any doubts about the benefits of dark chocolate, know that it is one of the ingredients the December 2004 British Medical Journal included in its theoretical “Polymeal.” Researchers calculate if eaten every day, such a meal would decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease by a staggering 75%!
An important thing to note is that this only applies to real dark chocolate, not milk chocolate or the kind you find packaged in candy bars. Dark chocolate containing at least 60%+ real cocoa can easily found in most grocery stores.
How’s that for a daily dessert?!