According to Smithsonian Magazine, chocolate has been a popular dessert for almost 3,500 years, most likely dating back to a culture in southern Mexico that predated the Aztecs and Mayans.[1]
There is evidence that these ancient people utilised cacao beans to make a rich beverage that was not often sweetened but might have been seasoned with other herbs and spices, providing all of chocolate's health advantages without any additional sugar.
You can even eat cacao nibs on their own. Sprinkled on a bowl of yoghurt, granola, or trail mix, they add a mild crunch and a little bitter and earthy flavour, as well as a good quantity of fibre and protein, according to USDA data.
Whatever chocolate you choose, keep portion size in mind: 1 ounce (about the size of one square) is considered a serving. No matter how (or when) you eat your chocolate, you'll gain the health advantages while also enjoying every piece! Here are six recipes to help you enjoy chocolate at any time of day.
Homemade granola is easier to make than you may think — and it's far fresher and more tasty, not to mention lower in sugar, than store-bought granola. According to Harvard Health Publishing, cocoa powder gives this granola a sweet and earthy flavour as well as flavanols
Mole sauce is a flavorful sauce created with chilli powder and chocolate. While it may appear to be a weird pairing at first, once you try it, you'll be a huge fan! Corn tortillas are somewhat sweeter and contain less sodium than flour tortillas, according to the USDA.
Beets have a long history in desserts, as they were the component that gave red velvet cake its name, according to the Washington Post. Pureed beets reduce the fat in traditional recipes, add a few grammes of satisfying fibre, and keep the brownies moist for days!
It's allowed to go nuts for this nutritious smoothie because it's sugar-free and contains gut-friendly microbes from kefir, a fermented dairy drink. According to the USDA, hazelnuts, when toasted to remove any bitterness, are a wonderful source of vitamin E and manganese, while dates are a natural sweetener.
This popcorn delight is low in calories and high in fibre. According to study, the flavonoid antioxidants found in dark chocolate may improve skin health by reducing wrinkles and boosting suppleness. The snack also contains polyphenols, which are good antioxidants.