Chocolate is a staple of life. But in the process of satisfying your chocolate craving, you might just find yourself scarfing down three Hershey’s bars or an entire pint of Chunky Monkey.
Chocolate in moderation, however, has been found to improve blood flow to the brain and heart while also being rich in antioxidants. To help you satisfy your chocolate cravings without jumping ship, Spoon has compiled a few mouthwatering and healthy recipes for you to guiltlessly indulge.
1. Chocolate coconut candies
Photo Courtesy of tasteatsathome.com
How adorable are these bite-sized coconut candies? Coconuts are Mother Nature’s gift to us. Not only are they high in fiber and key to regulating our immune system, they’re also tropically delectable.
2. Chocolate-covered fruit with walnuts
Photo Courtesy of secretsquirrelfood.com
Post spring break blues got you down? Treat yo’self and yo body to some nutty, chocolatey fruits. Fruits are a crucial component of a balanced diet, so add some glamor by embracing chocolate. Score a few bonus points by throwing in chopped walnuts or almonds for fiber, protein and healthy fats.
3. Nutella mug cake
Photo Courtesy of cookingmumu.com
You’re having a bad day and you need a quick chocolate fix that won’t ruin your healthy eating habits. There’s only one cure: Nutella mug cakes. Made with eggs and milk but no butter, it’s the perfect serving for one person, and portion control is critical to the maintenance of your nutritional health.
4. Chocolate almond soldiers
Photo Courtesy of thefitnessinspirer.com
A thing of beauty is a joy forever. With a few exceptions. When these tantalizingly-sweet chocolate almond soldiers are served, they’ll probably last fifteen minutes, tops. Almonds are a wonderful way to boost your heart’s health preventing weight gain.
5. Chocolate avocado pudding
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Avocado and chocolate? Sounds slightly unappetizing, but tastes like nothing but the opposite. The avocado is a wonder-source for the healthy fats your body craves. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to look extra fancy at your family reunion over spring break by serving these perfectly piquant cups of chocolate topped with low-fat whipped cream. See, you did learn something in college.
6. The ultimate chocolate fudge pie
Photo Courtesy of chocolatecoveredkatie.com
There’s only one way to attain ultimacy in pie-baking, and that’s sculpting each 143-calorie slice of this healthy, decadent bliss. Just look at the goodness of that chocolate-tofu and perfectly flaky crust. The subtle and secret tofu gives the pie a thick, silky feel without involving the extra sugar or calories.
7. Dark chocolate and sea salt popcorn
Photo Courtesy of greenkitchenstories.com
Chocolate and sea salt popcorn, because magic is real and the world isn’t so terrible after all. Plain popcorn is a healthy, low-calorie treat that is a quick and easy make, and throwing in a bit of chocolate flavor never hurt anybody.
Take a moment to jot down “chocolate” at the top of your list of things to do. At least you’ll at least have accomplished one thing today.