Chocolate is the only ingredient that is its very own food group. Well not really—but it seems as if it should be. Powerfully comforting, creamy, delicious—many people eat chocolate at least several times a week. Which begs the question…
Is Chocolate Good for You?
The answer is both yes and no. Chocolate has been used for centuries to treat bronchitis, sexual malaise, fatigue, hangovers, anemia, depression, memory loss, high blood pressure, poor eyesight, and more. It also helps release that feel-good neurotransmitter—serotonin—in the brain.
But eat the wrong kind and you’ll get loads of sugar, calories, and junky ingredients.
Eating Chocolate Responsibly
Chocolate begins life as raw cacao beans. Loaded with antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and plant phenols, cacao is a powerful superfood. The more processed cacao becomes, however—think commercially produced candy bars—the fewer healthy components remain.
Is Chocolate Good for You?
The answer is both yes and no. Chocolate has been used for centuries to treat bronchitis, sexual malaise, fatigue, hangovers, anemia, depression, memory loss, high blood pressure, poor eyesight, and more. It also helps release that feel-good neurotransmitter—serotonin—in the brain.
But eat the wrong kind and you’ll get loads of sugar, calories, and junky ingredients.
Eating Chocolate Responsibly
Chocolate begins life as raw cacao beans. Loaded with antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and plant phenols, cacao is a powerful superfood. The more processed cacao becomes, however—think commercially produced candy bars—the fewer healthy components remain.
| How do you get the most out of your chocolate fix?
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| Looking for more fun ways to enjoy your favorite food? You’ll love this dark chocolate treat that I made for my honey's birthday. He loved them! Invite some friends over and make a batch. Fudgy Brownies (Gluten-Free) Adapted from Marin Mama Cooks 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 8 oz 70 to 80% chocolate (or chocolate chips), chopped into small pieces ¾ cup unrefined coconut sugar 1 t vanilla extract 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature 1 T unsweetened natural cocoa powder 3 t arrowroot starch (available in bulk and/or baking aisles) 1 c 70% or higher chocolate chips, optional |  |
Preheat oven to 350º. Line the inside of an 8-inch square baking pan with 2 strips of parchment paper, positioning sheets perpendicular to each other and allowing the excess to extend beyond the edges of pan. Lightly butter the parchment paper.
Place chocolate and butter into a saucepan. Melt the butter and chocolate together, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula, until not quite fully melted. Remove from heat and continue stirring until completely melted.
Pour the melted chocolate into a large bowl, using a spatula to scrape it all out. Add the sugar and vanilla to the melted chocolate, and mix until well combined. Using a whisk, add in eggs one at a time, until well combined.
In a small bowl, whisk together the unsweetened cocoa and arrowroot starch until well combined. Add the cocoa mixture to brownie batter. Whisk the brownie batter energetically for one full minute until the batter loses its graininess, becomes smooth and glossy, and pulls away a bit from sides of bowl. This step causes the batter to be rich, thick, satiny smooth and glossy, and brownies to be rich and fudge-like. Using a spatula, gently fold in the chocolate chips. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan smoothing top evenly with spatula.
Bake brownies until the center feels almost set and edges are a bit firm, about 30-35 minutes. Do not over bake. Let brownies cool completely in the pan for about an hour. Lift the parchment paper and block of brownies out of pan.
Nutritious Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Recipes | © 2016 Nan Foster Health, all rights reserved.
GET EVEN HEALTHIER!
Are you curious about how to choose chocolate—and other delicious superfoods—to keep you healthy (and your taste buds happy)? Let’s talk! Schedule a complimentary health coaching consultation with me today—or pass this offer on to someone you care about!
ABOUT ME
I received my training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, where I learned about more than one hundred dietary theories and studied a variety of practical lifestyle coaching methods. Drawing on this knowledge, I will help you create a completely personalized “roadmap to health” that suits your unique body, lifestyle, preferences, and goals.
Learn more about my training and my unique approach to health coaching.
Place chocolate and butter into a saucepan. Melt the butter and chocolate together, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula, until not quite fully melted. Remove from heat and continue stirring until completely melted.
Pour the melted chocolate into a large bowl, using a spatula to scrape it all out. Add the sugar and vanilla to the melted chocolate, and mix until well combined. Using a whisk, add in eggs one at a time, until well combined.
In a small bowl, whisk together the unsweetened cocoa and arrowroot starch until well combined. Add the cocoa mixture to brownie batter. Whisk the brownie batter energetically for one full minute until the batter loses its graininess, becomes smooth and glossy, and pulls away a bit from sides of bowl. This step causes the batter to be rich, thick, satiny smooth and glossy, and brownies to be rich and fudge-like. Using a spatula, gently fold in the chocolate chips. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan smoothing top evenly with spatula.
Bake brownies until the center feels almost set and edges are a bit firm, about 30-35 minutes. Do not over bake. Let brownies cool completely in the pan for about an hour. Lift the parchment paper and block of brownies out of pan.
Nutritious Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Recipes | © 2016 Nan Foster Health, all rights reserved.
GET EVEN HEALTHIER!
Are you curious about how to choose chocolate—and other delicious superfoods—to keep you healthy (and your taste buds happy)? Let’s talk! Schedule a complimentary health coaching consultation with me today—or pass this offer on to someone you care about!
ABOUT ME
I received my training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, where I learned about more than one hundred dietary theories and studied a variety of practical lifestyle coaching methods. Drawing on this knowledge, I will help you create a completely personalized “roadmap to health” that suits your unique body, lifestyle, preferences, and goals.
Learn more about my training and my unique approach to health coaching.