[Written with Courtney Dec]
Good news everyone! There have been recent studies that link chocolate to health benefits! Although chocolate is up there on calories and sugar, studies have proven that eating small amounts of chocolate can actually be healthy for you!
New studies have shown chocolate to increase the walking distance for people with peripheral artery disease, as well as, proven that the consumption of cocoa products help improve blood vessels, which help patients who have kidney failure. In 2016, it was discovered that eating thirty grams of chocolate a day could benefit fetal growth and development during pregnancy (hello moms!).
Not only does it help just those who were targeted above, chocolate is known to make your skin glow because it regulates a healthy blood flow. Lastly, it is suggested that it could boost your cognitive function and prevent memory decline if you eat chocolate once a week and as scientists at Harvard Medical School have suggested, drinking two cups of hot chocolate a day.
All chocolate dishes or snacks do not have to be unhealthy. The darker the chocolate the healthier and if you want to get creative, add shavings to your fruit in the morning. I have attached a few of my favorite healthy chocolate recipes below and remember this article when you feel guilty about eating your next piece of chocolate! Enjoy your indulges!
Chocolate Raspberry Oatmeal:
You will need:
1-cup steel cut oats
3-cups of liquid (water, almond milk or coconut milk) choose one
1-cup raspberries
¼-cup unsweetened cocoa powder
¼-cup honey or maple syrup
How to cook:
First, in a saucepan, bring the liquid to a boil over medium-to-high heat. Then, stir in the oatmeal and turn down the heat to low. Simmer the oatmeal uncovered for 10 minutes, occasionally stirring. Next, stir in cocoa powder, raspberries and syrup. Cook for 10 more minutes, still stirring occasionally. Lastly, when done cooking add your choice of decedent to the top whether it be, nuts, fresh fruit, or shredded chocolate.
Melted Chocolate Over Fruit:
You will need:
Favorite chocolate chips (dark chocolate, milk chocolate, vanilla chocolate, etc.)
Favorite fruit to dip (strawberries, pineapple, etc.)
How to cook:
Simmer water in a saucepan. Once the water is simmering, place a medium size bowl with chocolate chips above the water and stir occasionally until chocolate is melted. Put in bowl to serve with fruit and skewers.
