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That's Hot: Chocolate

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Contributed by: Katherine Jerome on 11/21/2006

Nothing screams Christmas and the holidays like chocolate. All kinds of chocolate. You can see it coming. From homemade fudge, to truffles, to chocolate covered cherries, chips, bars and even the waxy kind that come in boxes from the drug store. We wrap it and put it under the tree, it's perfect for hostess gifts, taking to neighbors and co workers, and is an annual stocking stuffer at our house. It's all there in abundance non stop until Valentines Day.

My idea of a real chocolate treat is a simple bag of peanut m & m's that I grab on my way out of the check out line at the grocery store that I usually rip open in the car. While it's true, that a chocolate snack like that provides a momentary energy lift, maybe less anxiety and a little more alertness, those good feelings are usually short lived, followed by an even more lethargic feeling.

Dr. David Katz, director of the Prevention Research Center at the Yale School of Medicine, has some screaming good news for chocolate lovers that got my attention. Research has confirmed that the antioxidant, flavanols in cocoa, found in high concentration in dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 60% or more provide considerable health benefits. "Dark chocolate enhances blood flow, and helps lower blood pressure." He goes on to say that "while dark chocolate has saturated fat, it's the kind of fat that doesn't raise cholesterol or cause other harm."

Chocolate makers are taking notice, and are now offering a wide variety of chocolate confections that contain this high level of cocoa. Even Mars, the maker of M & M's have stepped up to the plate and have a "heart healthy" CocoaVia line of chocolate treats. Not far behind are Hershey's and Nestle' that have both introduced premium dark chocolate bars and baking chocolate, including chips.

Don't go hog wild now because the obvious drawback is that chocolate is a concentrated source of calories, so don't squeeze out fruits and vegetables and other healthy food choices. A 100 gram serving of Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Bar has 531 calories, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. An apple has only 52 calories, plus gobs of fiber. White chocolate contains no cocoa at all, and milk chocolate has such a low percentage that the obvious winner is the dark chocolate. The higher the cocoa content, the better. Chocolate makers are displaying the percentage right on the wrapper to grab your attention, so look closely and remember the 60% or more rule of thumb.

What was once a guilty pleasure or pure indulgence has now become "healthy."

Ahhhhh...........................life can be so sweet!!!

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Showing 1-2 of 2 comments

Submitted By: Katherine Jerome

posted on 11/23/2006 @ 10:56:03 AM

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Chocolove.......what a purely delightful name! I'll have to try it.

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Submitted By: Karen Gilbert

posted on 11/22/2006 @ 9:40:31 AM

Rated Story

I love peanut M&Ms, too. But I really love the dark chocolate Chocolove bars (made in Boulder!) as well as Dove dark chocolates, Godiva truffles ... (I could go on.)

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Showing 1-2 of 2 comments

CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Katherine Jerome

Lakewood , CO

Katherine Jerome has posted 34 stories and 148 comments since joining on 8/25/2006. Katherine Jerome 's average story rating is 4.78.

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