3 Chocolate Treats to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth that You Don’t Have to Feel (As) Guilty About
Who among us has the power to resist a delectable piece of chocolate? Although many of us may be able to exercise some level of self-control, sometimes you just can’t help but give in to a chocolate craving. We’re only human, after all.
There’s nothing wrong with treating yourself to a chocolate snack every so often or even regularly. But if you find yourself reaching for a chocolate bar every day, it’s probably time to look into healthier alternatives to satisfy your hankering. Fortunately, there are quite a few snack options out there (and here at Otto’s!) that will pacify your chocolate sweet tooth and actually benefit your health in the process. Check out some of our favorites!
1) Chocolate-Covered Espresso Beans
Coffee touts quite a few health benefits of its own that, when combined with the right kind of chocolate, have double the positive effect. Both coffee and chocolate are packed with antioxidants, which help fight free radicals in your body that cause inflammation. Chronic inflammation can lead to diseases such as diabetes, digestive disorders, arthritis, heart disease and more.
Dark chocolate espresso beans can also help reduce your risk for heart disease by lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol levels in your body. Pairing chocolate with coffee is good for your blood sugar levels too, as the caffeine from the beans increases your metabolism and allows you to process the sugar from the chocolate faster. Another great benefit of coffee beans is that it gives you an energy boost by facilitating dopamine production, which releases endorphins that boost your mood too.
2) Chocolate-Covered Nuts
Nuts are a tasty and convenient snack that also happen to be highly nutritious. Cover them in chocolate and they become the perfect blend of salty and sweet! Nuts are another great source of antioxidants and good for your heart health, just like chocolate-covered espresso beans. They also lower your LDL cholesterol levels, as well as decrease LDL oxidation, which is a big contributor to heart disease. The magnesium found in nuts such as almonds and cashews helps prevent high blood pressure too.
Another perk to snacking on chocolate-covered nuts instead of that chocolate candy bar? Nuts promote weight loss! Although nuts are higher in fat and calories, your body does not absorb them all because a portion of fat stays trapped within the nut during digestion. The high protein and fiber content then helps keep you full for longer, curbing your hunger and reducing your overall caloric intake throughout the day.
3) Chocolate-Covered Dried Fruit
Chocolate-covered fruit may be more of a luxury, but chocolate-covered dried fruit is easy to eat, lasts longer than fresh fruit, and packs an equally as nutritious punch. When fruit goes through the drying process, it retains almost all of its original vitamins and nutrients, just in a condensed form. Once it’s coated in chocolate, your sweet tooth won’t even know that you’re also getting in your daily fruit servings at the same time!
There are many different types of chocolate-covered dried fruit—strawberries, bananas, pineapple, cherries, raisins, etc. Each type of fruit comes with its own host of health benefits. Vitamin C, which boosts your immune system, helps fight infection, and improves your skin, is one that most types have in common. Many fruits are also beneficial for your digestive health, as they contain prebiotic fiber that helps maintain regularity and colon health. Some chocolate-covered dried fruits, such as prunes, raisins, and plums, even act as natural laxatives to help with constipation. Dried fruit is also good for your heart, promoting good blood flow and regulating blood pressure.
When you’re ready to put a healthy twist on your chocolate addiction, Otto’s Granary is here to help! In addition to our vast inventory of gourmet chocolates, we’ve recently added chocolate-covered products from Kopper’s Chocolate to our website. You’ll find a variety of delicious chocolate-covered nuts, coffee beans, dried fruit, and more to help satisfy your cravings.
Shop all of our sweets online and place your order today!
