Believe it or not, chocolate can be part of a healthy diet. So if you're trying to lose weight, there's no need to toss out your favorite treats. Just learn to manage the calories in chocolate so that you keep your calorie balance optimized for weight loss.
Calories in Chocolate
The number of calories in chocolate depends on the type of chocolate you’re eating. According to CalorieCount.com, there are 13 grams of fat and 210 calories in dark chocolate if you buy Dove Dark Chocolate Miniatures. A single serving is 5 pieces or 39 grams. A similar serving of Dove Milk Chocolate Miniatures contains 220 calories and the same amount of fat. But if you switch brands, Trader Joe’s 73% Super Dark Chocolate contains only 58 calories and 4 grams of fat in a single 34 gram serving.
How to Eat Chocolate on a Diet
Should you eat chocolate if you’re counting calories? You can! But to keep your calorie balance in control, eat a very small amount. Eat chocolate-covered fruit or have a small cup of skim hot chocolate to satisfy your cravings.And if you can, choose dark chocolate. It has a richer taste and is likely to satisfy your craving in a smaller serving.
What dieters shouldn't do is put a big bowl of chocolate treats on display at home or in the workspace. It's easy to eat too many snack calories if you're always tempted to nibble. Keep your chocolate treats hidden away in a cupboard or on a high shelf so you don't see them all the time. Then take just a single serving when it's time to indulge.