Great news on the chocolate front! Chocolate is good for you. Under certain circumstances.
Katherine Tallmadge, spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, says, in the February 9, 2005, WASHINGTON POST, that "cacao, or cocoa beans, contain 'flavanols,' naturally occurring plant compounds also found in tea, red wine, and apples. Their properties have been studied as heart disease inhibitors."
Carl L. Keen, chair of the department of nutrition at University of California, Davis, states in the same article that "the flavanols in cocoa help maintain a healthy vascular system. They reduce blood clotting -- an aspirin like effect -- reduce oxidative damage and improve blood flow."
Unfortunately the flavanols in chocolate are bitter and are mostly removed from processed chocolate. The level decreases with each step, from the bean to the cocoa powder, and ultimately to a finished product. But big manufacturers like Nestle and Mars Inc.(producers of M&Ms) are working on chocolate items that are -- what else? -- good for you. We can soon expect chocolate bars and candies that advertise their high level of flavanols. In the meantime, the only product that states its flavanol level is Mars' Dove Dark Chocolate, which has 150 mg. in 1.3 oz., a high level. It also has 200 calories. We live in an imperfect world.
While we're waiting for more high-flavanol products, Ms. Tallmadge recommends unsweetened cocoa powder, but not the alkalized "Dutch processed" kind, which has had its flavanols reduced. Next in desirability is semisweet or bittersweet chocolate with a high cocoa percentage. Some chocolates contain as much as 70 percent cocoa, but they can have as little as 35 percent. The percent of cocoa in milk chocolate can be even lower, and she does not recommend it. She says, "I recommend cocoa or an ounce per day of dark chocolate, which may be about 110 to 150 calories, depending on the chocolate. Any more than that and you're probably going to take in too many calories for weight control."
Do you have any idea of what you just read? A highly qualified nutrition professional is RECOMMENDING that you eat chocolate! Maybe not large quantities of chocolate, but chocolate. If you have suffered much in the area of chocolate, you may want to enlarge that statement and post it on your bathroom mirror, where it can cheer you on rainy mornings.
Now comes the chocolate frosting on the cake. Deanna K. reports: "The Diabetic Educator told me about CARBOLITE, a 1.1 oz. low carb chocolate bar made with Splenda, containing 0 sugar carbs, 15-18g carbohydrates, depending on flavor. On Google type in 'Carbolite'for more information."
Deanna continues, "The other chocolate bar that I think is acceptable is Amber Lyn Chocolates (fine imported Belgian chocolate), sugar free and carb conscious. A little higher in calories than Carbolite, the 1.2 oz bar has 15-16g carbs. For nutrition information visit www.amberlynchocolates.com." The dark chocolate bars have 157 calories.
Flavanols are not listed, but these dark chocolates are a good bet for that HEALTHFUL piece of chocolate it is your DUTY to eat regularly. And soon, no doubt, manufacturers will begin to formulate their candies to be high in flavanols -- and say so.
As a little girl on a Montana farm, Janette Blackwell ate simple but lusciously delicious country cooking. Which food she brings to you in her storytelling cookbook, STEAMIN' DOWN THE TRACKS WITH VIOLA HOCKENBERRY. Her website, http://www.foodandfiction.com, brings you country cooking and nostalgic stories, while, at http://www.foodandfiction.com, she takes you on a personal, guided tour of the hidden culinary treasures of the Internet. E-mail her at http://www.foodandfiction.com.
cheapest limo Akin .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareABC News has recently focused on the possible anti-aging benefits... Read More
On average 30% of foods in our daily diet are... Read More
"To eat an apple before going to bed will make... Read More
I confess: I'm completely addicted to Pringles. My determination weakens... Read More
Essential Fatty Acids are oils, omega-3 and omega-6, that you... Read More
Apart from eating many of the wonderful vegetables and fruits... Read More
Spring in New York City is a really magical time.... Read More
The wonders of modern science continue to amaze us with... Read More
The dangers of processed foods and diets Why is that... Read More
A frequent misunderstanding about macrobiotics is that it is a... Read More
Diets concern especially Americans as they do have a "national... Read More
With new research, new products and new skin protection advice... Read More
Eating grain products - breads, cakes, cereals - have long... Read More
Acid Reflux Disease, or GERD, is a common disease which... Read More
Glucosamine is readily produced in the human body and is... Read More
Picture yourself in one of the following scenarios.You're cruising along... Read More
Here's food for thought! Did you know the average restaurant... Read More
Are you worried yet about your health? Are you anxious... Read More
Because all of us have been brought up eating junk... Read More
Spring is in the air and ? summer is around... Read More
Many people complain that organic foods are more costly than... Read More
When it comes to the topic of sports nutrition there... Read More
Mango is my favorite fruit next to pineapples. They're sweet,... Read More
Remember the old adage, you are what you eat? The... Read More
Vitamins & Minerals are essential to sustain life. Its what... Read More
Aledo wedding limo ..DIETARY SOURCES OF GLUTATHIONE: Glutathione (GSH) is an antioxidant and... Read More
NutrientsFat, Sugar, Sodium and CarbohydrateThe sections on a food label... Read More
THE RISKNo doubt you've heard of the increasingly popular "raw... Read More
Mango is my favorite fruit next to pineapples. They're sweet,... Read More
Remember the old adage, you are what you eat? The... Read More
A beautiful smile and healthy mouth actually can come from... Read More
Finally, a positive solution regarding America's difficult and costly campaign... Read More
Information on potassiumWhen you read about potassium and senate document... Read More
For decades science has been looking for the answers to... Read More
If you want to build muscle, lose body fat or... Read More
The makers of Bumble Bee Tuna generated some buzz today... Read More
Do you know anyone who can't consume milk or milk-based... Read More
They're not only good for you, but they taste good,... Read More
The latest tallies show that over three million people in... Read More
With so many people concerned about natural and organic foods... Read More
You really are what you eat. You are also very... Read More
Most of us equate the word diet with calorie reduction.... Read More
With so much 'diet advice' around today it is little... Read More
What I am also going to point out is the... Read More
In order for a person to actually have a healthy... Read More
Step 1: Eat five to ten servings per day of... Read More
Understanding ocular nutrition and eye health can be one of... Read More
Have you seen those "fat free" foods in supermarkets? Have... Read More
Several years ago, Marilyn M. couldn't even spell fibromyalgia.Now she... Read More
An American culture that is marked by a chronic lack... Read More
Nutrition |