Winter accessories: chocolate

The top question of my patients is the one about chocolate. From «I can’t live without it, what can I do?» to «How much is too much?». Well, to figure out the answer to all questions about chocolate let’s turn to the world of fashion. Let’s say you are in love with diamonds. You admire its sparkle nature, its crystal beauty and clear exquisite look. Yet you probably know that too much diamonds will transform your look to a very chip and low. You also have the feeling that diamond necklace is not the best choice for a business meeting or a lovely pyjama party with your best girlfriends, right? However you may wear a ring incrusted with a small diamond or simple earrings with the stone without any doubts and concerns. From time to time, once or twice in a lifetime, you may even wear a posh engagement ring for a good couple of month to celebrate the happy moment. Now we are ready to move back to the chocolate question.

Chocolate is a diamond of nutrition world because of its rich sweet taste, long history and festive nature. Chocolate is always suitable for any important occasion. Over the centuries it was a sign of good taste wealth and respectability in high society. Yet remember the important fact: the chocolate we are talking about is not the one we can buy for a euro from a vending machine. Only the dark natural chocolate with high cocoa content may be compared to real diamonds. In winter high quality hot chocolate with chilli powder may remind you about the Aztecs times back in 1900BC where such drinking spicy chocolate was known as a Gods drink with aphrodisiac power. Today we know more about chocolate than Aztecs. For example, dark chocolate and cocoa contain are rich in antioxidants, known to reduce high blood pressure, may reduce risk of stroke and heart attacks. Milk in chocolate reduce antioxidant effect significantly so the dark chocolate with the most concentrated cocoa carries more benefits. So, the question is: how much is too much? Various research give slightly different figures, however 20-30 grams of dark chocolate a day might be the best choice for both, your health and your weight.

Let’s sum it all up. It does not matter to what degree you love diamonds you won’t wear many large stones daily without any regret. Why would you eat bars of chocolate then? Enjoy it in a stylish manner and don’t decrease its value by eating too much.