Healthy Chocolate Treats

We take a lot of pride in the chocolate recipes tested and shared on our recipes page. From chocolate martinis, to vegan brownies and chocolate pie, it’s impressive to see the variety of chocolate treats for us to indulge in. But what about healthy chocolate treats?

They say that dark chocolate is good for us (and for the most part that’s true), so what are some healthy chocolate treats that we can enjoy? That’s what this article explores.

The health benefits of dark chocolate

If you’re looking for an easy, healthy, chocolatey snack, then a bite or two of dark chocolate could do the trick.

• Dark chocolate has more antioxidants than green tea and red wine.
• The cacao plant also provides us with a compound called theobromine, which can help reduce inflammation and lower blood pressure
• A study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition found that those who ate dark chocolate five times a week or more reduced their risk of heart disease by almost 60%.
• The flavonoids in dark chocolate are also proving to increase neuroplasticity in the brain which has positive effects on our cognitive function and memory.
• Recent studies are showing that dark chocolate also improves how the body metabolizes glucose, lowering the risk of diabetes.
• A small piece of dark chocolate before a meal can trigger the hormones that signal your brain that you’re full.
• Small, regular amounts of dark chocolate protect our cells from damage caused by free radicals.
• The manganese in the chocolate supports collagen production to keep your skin and connective tissue healthy.
• Dark chocolate has been added to the list of cholesterol-lowering foods, offering significant drops in your LDL or “bad” cholesterol.

Healthy chocolate treats to try

• Chocolate covered or dipped fruit

Chocolate dipped strawberries are a classic. Have you ever tried bananas instead though? You can increase the protein of the snack by adding some peanut butter too.

• Barks

Chocolate bark is delicious any time of year, but has become a bit of a tradition for many families around the holidays. We have recipes for a white chocolate bark, and a dark chocolate bark in our recipes that you’ll probably love trying. Barks are fun, we use a healthy coconut oil in ours, and recommend using pistachios, or dried berries as toppings. The dark chocolate will of course be a healthier choice, but with the right ingredients many barks can be nutritious.

• Charcuterie Boards

Charcuterie boards have become trendy, and rightly so! They’re usually loaded with gourmet meats and cheeses… and now chocolate! We like to recommend sweet and savoury chocolate for your charcuterie board such as this Rosemary Fusion Tablette, or this white chocolate, Dill Fusion Tablette.

• Chocolate Bars

Well, not all chocolate bars, but the right chocolate bars can be healthy for you. Cococo is proud to offer couverture chocolate bars under the Good Clean Fun brand. Many, like this Habanero sea salt dark chocolate bar, are delicious and right-sized at only 120 calories.

• Coffee Beans

Dark chocolate is high in antioxidants. Coffee beans are also high in antioxidants. So, imagine the nutritional boost you’d get from these Dark Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans. Caffeine is only good in moderation though, so be sure to limit these to a handful a day.