4 Reasons to Eat Dark Chocolate

Photo used under Creative Commons

from Chotda

1. May Make You Thinner

A recent study by my alma matar, UC San Diego, found that frequent chocolate eaters are thinner. What's key is that it measured a relationship between b.m.i and frequency of chocolate consumption instead of total chocolate consumption. It seems like it is more important to have small amounts of chocolate regularly then to eat a bunch at once. This is good news for me as I consume one square (10 grams) of dark chocolate (≥90% cocoa) every day. 

2. Helps Control Overeating 

Chocolate Banana Shake - No Added Sugar

This shake with only 409 calories is a great treat made with whole and simple ingredients. I use whole coconut milk - not light - and also unsweetened cocoa powder. This drink is naturally sweetened from the banana and coconut milk and it's amazingly delicious.

As much as I'd love to drink this each and every day, I realize that it is still a high calorie dessert as it takes up about 29% of my daily calories (1300- 1500 calories). Also, it is far less filling than other meals with a comparable caloric content.

This would be a good after-workout beverage, especially if you add a protein powder.

Quitting Sugar

Photo used under Creative
Commons from Kevin.J

Why Quit Sugar

Since giving up desserts and sugary drinks, I've not only noticed a change in my waist line, but also in my ability to resist temptations to overeat.

Empty Calories 

I'm eating a reduced calorie diet (1300 - 1500 calories a day depending on my level of activity) and so it's important to maximize the satiety to calorie ratio so hunger doesn't prevent me from staying within my calorie range and reaching my goal weight. Desserts and other sugary foods add calories to my diet without adding much hunger relief. Therefore, every calorie of sugar I eat is one fewer calorie of something healthy and filling.

Sharp Changes in Blood Glucose

Purpose For Starting This Blog

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 from puuikibeach

When I graduated from high school in 2006 I weighted 185 lbs. Despite my struggles to lose weight throughout my undergraduate studies, I was able to lose 35 lbs by graduation in 2010. Though I had a goal weight of 130 lbs, I remained at 150 for almost two years.

Since starting graduate school this past fall (2011) and dealing with a breakup, I've gained back much of the weight I lost. Three weeks ago I weighed in at 178 lbs and decided to quit eating sweets to assist me in losing weight. So far I have lost 7 lbs and plan to write this blog during the remainder of my journey.

Weight Loss

My goal is to lose 41 lbs. My current weight is 171 lbs and I'm 5'3.25''. I want to use this blog as a way to set my goals, monitor my progress, and share my obstacles and accomplishments with others.

Community Support

This blog will increase the support in my life by expanding my community to the internet.

Accountability

Additionally, this blog holds me accountable to the goals I set for myself because I am publicizing them to friends, family, and strangers. This opens me up for scrutiny, which I will embrace as an additional motivator.