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Tempting Treat

American Fitness, Sept, 2000 by Nancy Clark

A love affair with chocolate isn't as sinful as you may think.

"I love chocolate, but I feel so guilty when I sneak a candy bar ..."

"I get wicked cravings for chocolate ... I've even gone to the store at 1:00 a.m. to buy Hershey[R]'s & Kisses."

"I can tell I'm premenstrual by my cravings for chocolate ..."

If you are like most active people, chocolate may be among your favorite foods. Chocolate is loved in most developed countries and has often been touted as "a gift of the gods." About 50 percent of all food cravings are for chocolate, far more than cravings for "something sweet" (16 percent), salty foods (12 percent), baked goods (11 percent) and fruit (4 percent). Some people go so far as saying they are addicted to chocolate.

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The question arises: Why is chocolate such a powerful food? Furthermore, what makes it the most commonly craved food? (About 40 percent of women and 15 percent of men report chocolate cravings.) Scientists have extensively studied chocolate, trying to determine the source of its power beyond having a pleasurable taste, smell and texture.

Although we do not know the exact reasons why chocolate is so popular, we do know chocolate alters brain chemistry and creates a pleasant mood. Chocolate contains substances that may account for chocolate's stimulant, anti-depressant and mood-altering effects. However, the mystery remains: Why does chocolate contain this exquisite combination of substances which provides a desire to eat it and a sense of well-being after doing so?

If chocolate is on your favorite food list, the following article may answer some questions about chocolate and its role in both your daily menu and sports diet.

How bad is chocolate for my health?

The good news is, chocolate is not as bad for your health as you may think. That is, chocolate actually contains some health-preserving antioxidants, as well as a type of fat that is neutral in terms of heart disease. Certainly, chocolate should be consumed in moderation (in addition to a variety of wholesome foods) for pleasure--not for nutritional value. That is, eating chocolate after lunch is nutritionally acceptable, but eating two chocolate bars for lunch is not!

Given the guidelines that 10 percent of daily calories can appropriately come from sugar, and 25 percent from fat, most active people can budget in 200 to 300 calories of chocolate per day within the context of a healthful diet. That's one big candy bar--guilt-free! A 1.55-oz. Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar, for example, has 230 calories--90 from sugar, 115 from fat.

How much caffeine is in chocolate?

Although chocolate has the reputation for being loaded with caffeine, it actually contains very little--about the same amount as one cup of decaffeinated coffee. The energy burst provided by chocolate more likely comes from its sugar content than from caffeine. In comparison to a small, 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee with about 100 milligrams of caffeine (depending on how it's brewed), or 1 ounce of espresso with about 40 milligrams of caffeine, the typical 1.55-ounce milk chocolate candy bar offers only 10 milligrams of caffeine. The same amount of semi-sweet dark chocolate offers about 30 milligrams. (Note: Dark chocolate contains more cocoa, hence more caffeine.) A glass of chocolate milk has only 5 milligrams of caffeine, which is an insignificant amount--even for kids.

Why do I feel addicted to chocolate?

So-called "chocolate addictions" are common among dieters and athletes who fail to consume adequate calories. When your body is too hungry and screams for quick energy, you can easily succumb to chocolate chip cookies, brownies or candy bars. Eating chocolate is the symptom of this nutritional concern, but getting too hungry is the real problem. Even a self-proclaimed "chocoholic" skier explained, "I have not eaten chocolate at all this week, nor have I missed it--now that I am having 600 calories from cereal/milk/banana and juice for breakfast (instead of just a banana) and 600 calories from a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, yogurt and an apple for lunch (instead of just a yogurt). Much to my amazement, I've even lost weight on 1,800 calories, and I feel better when I eat less sugar."

How fattening is chocolate?

Chocolate is only fattening if you eat too much of it and blow your calorie budget on a whole bag of M&Ms or a batch of brownies. This happens when you get too hungry or stressed.

Why do I have monthly premenstrual chocolate cravings?

About one-third or women will agree that nothing does the job of resolving premenstrual sweet cravings like some delicious, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate. The cyclical nature of women's chocolate cravings supports the involvement of hormonal fluctuations. If you are a chocolate craver, I recommend you eat chocolate for breakfast, get rid of the craving, and then feel content all day. Otherwise, you'll try to stay away from chocolate and will succumb to eating "the whole thing" that evening. If you're destined to eat chocolate, why "hold off" until evening when you want it now?

Tempting Treat

American Fitness, Sept, 2000 by Nancy Clark

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