Alleluia! Cacao is actually good for you! All you chocolate lovers out there should be rejoicing right now because you can really have your ‘cake’ and eat it to.  But, not so fast.  There is a catch – like so many things in life.

If you want to give in to your chocolate craving, you need to do it properly and opt for the right kind of chocolate – cacao.  Let’s go over what you need to know so that you can lay this craving to rest while maintaining your diet plan.

Why Cacao Is Great For Your Body

Cacao is going to offer numerous health benefits that you should be aware of.  First, it’s going to act as an antioxidant in the body.  This means that it will help you fend off free radicals and ensure that your immune system is strong, fighting disease.

In addition to that, dark cacao can help you improve your heart health by lowering your blood pressure, reducing your bad cholesterol (LDL) levels, increase the amount of blood flow to the brain, plus it will increase your serotonin and endorphin levels, which can help to improve your mood while enhancing your concentration.

Did we mention it tastes great as well?  Yes, that’s another key benefit that cacao will provide.

Choosing The Best Cacao For Results

If you are going to reap all the benefits that this ingredient has to offer, you’ll want to look for chocolate that contains 60% cacao or higher.  This will ensure that you are getting the right mix of nutrients and that you will see the benefits that it provides.  Chocolate that has a lower concentration will be more sugar and fat than anything else.

Remember that you can also use cacao in many different ways.  It doesn’t just have to be for dessert.  For example, you could prepare a chocolate chili-sauce and have it with your main meal of poached chicken, or you could add it to beverages for a sweet change of pace that will quickly satisfy your cravings.

In fact, the following Mocha Snack Bites will do just that.  Try it out next time you need a quick meal on the go.

INGREDIENTS

RECIPE MAKES 4 SERVINGS

• ¾ cup oatmeal

• ¼ cup oat bran

• 6 egg whites

• 1 scoop (30g) BlueStar Iso-smooth chocolate protein

• ¼ teaspoon of baking powder

• 1 teaspoon natural cocoa powder or cacao powder

• 1 tablespoon ground coffee

• Pinch of stevia

• 2 apples, diced

DIRECTIONS

1. In a blender, mix all the ingredients. Blend until the mix gets thick and pour in a big bowl.

2. Pour the mix in a baking dish, and cook at 350 degrees Farenheit until cooked (about 30 minutes, make sure to not overcook them). Cut in 8 equal bite size squares.

Calories: 137/2 bites

PROTEIN : 17g

CARBS : 15g

FAT : 1g

So next time you’re craving chocolate, think cacao.  It really will do a world of good for your health level.