The Chocolate facts

Nutritious chocolate is made of cocoa paste, cocoa butter, and sugar. The seeds of the fruit of the cacao tree (native to Central and South America) produce the cocoa paste and cocoa butter. The cacao seeds are fermented, roasted, and ground into a paste. The basis for all chocolate and cocoa products is non-alcoholic chocolate liquor. It contains a multitude of nutrients: cocoa powerful antioxidants, fats (through cocoa butter); carbohydrates (through starch and various sugars); large amounts of vegetable proteins, potassium, and magnesium; small amounts of calcium and sodium; traces of iron; vitamins A, B1, (which is thiamine), B2 (which is riboflavin), D, and E; and caffeine. Many of these are good nutrients, creating chocolate nutrition health benefits. For a relatively small quantity, chocolate is a high-energy food. The difference between milk chocolate and dark chocolate is the ratio of cocoa liquor-to-milk. Some manufacturers use milk solids instead of whole milk, accounting for the many varieties of chocolate.

Before you indulge!!

• Cadbury Creme Egg, 160 calories
• Cadbury Mini Eggs Candy, 12 pieces (40 grams), 190 calories
• Snickers Chocolate Egg (1.5 ounces), 200 calories
• Jelly Beans, 4 calories per bean

Choosing the right chocolate?

There are real health benefits of chocolate recognized in the medical world. Chocolate has always been considered bad for your health, but that is not the case. Dark chocolate is a healthy chocolate. A little of what you fancy can do you good!

Get ready for summer-make an appointment for natural health advice and treatment today.