Nicole Carter
The Wellness
Experience
 |
A LITTLE CHOCOLATE IN
YOUR DAY!
Would it be hard to convince you to eat a little bit of chocolate every day? Most people trying to lose weight consider chocolate a serious no-no. However raw cacao was originally used as a health tonic especially for the digestive system and for the kidneys as well as for health conditions such as anemia, fatigue, fever, low sex drive and respiratory problems.
Cornell University food scientists discovered that
cocoa powder has nearly twice the antioxidants of red wine, and up to three
times the antioxidants found in green tea. Raw cocoa has the highest antioxidant value
of all the natural foods in the world!
Cacao is one of the highest sources of flavonoids, potent
antioxidants that have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and other
aging diseases. The high antioxidant
levels have also been shown to have a beneficial and protective affect on the
skin and may protect again sun damage and even skin cancers as well as improve
skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and burn.
The chemical components in cacao and their effects are
impressive and include:
anandamide - a euphoric substance
arginine - a natural aphrodisiac
neurotransmitters - stimulate and balance brain activity
tryptophan - an anti-depressant
antioxidants and other beneficial compounds known to have
rejuvenating and anti-ageing elements.
Magnesium- essential for helping the heart to pump blood
efficiently, building strong bones, and lowering blood pressure. (may explain the
strong desire for chocolate during the female menstrual cycle)
sulphur – a mineral responsible for healthy skin, nails and
hair.
Theobromine – may help with coughs
Dark chocolate can also help you lose weight!
Because it has appetite-suppressant properties, cocoa is often added to weight
loss products to help control hunger.
While you may have
been told that chocolate is “fattening”, the truth is that the fats found in
cocoa butter are actually healthy fats! Cacao contains oleic acid, a heart-healthy monounsaturated fat which is also found
in olive oil and is believed to raise the level of the “good cholesterol” known
as HDL cholesterol (the
acronym HDL stands for “High Density Lipid”).
When it comes to chocolate, we are talking about the purest,
unpolluted form of chocolate called cacao.
This is harder to find and is a far cry from a Hershey bar, however it
still is chocolate! Cacao is naturally bitter, when consumed in its raw state
cacao nibs. But you can get all the
benefits of cacao in dark chocolate and it only takes a very small amount
consumed regularly.
Despite it’s benefits, chocolate is still high in calories
so it should be eaten early in the day.
Since cacao naturally contains low levels of caffeine, consuming too
late in the evening could potentially interrupt your sleep. Eat small amounts
(less then ½ ounce) each day after lunch.
Enjoy this treat daily and known that you are doing something great for
your body, guilt free.
1 c coconut oil, melted
1/2 cup monk fruit power
1/2 cup raw cacao powder
1 tsp Himilayan Sea Salt
Sliced raw almonds (0ptional)
Get more info on healthy eating with my FREE MEAL PLAN at www.healthywithnicole.com
