Chocolate is both our best friend and our mortal enemy; it’s enjoyable but terrible for our figures and health. One of the greatest challenges of committing to a diet is overcoming the temptations to revert to old habits. If you’re looking to slim down and improve your palette, check out these ways to satisfy chocolate cravings on a diet.
Enjoy Chocolate Alternatives
After a long workout, your body may crave something sweet and delicious to replenish your body’s supply of glucose. When you’re on a diet, your first thought may be to avoid sugar at all costs; however, natural sugars are an integral part of your diet. Choose fruits rather than giving in to cravings for chocolate and other junk food. They provide a natural source of sugar and can satisfy your sweet tooth to boot. Grapes, mangoes, cherries, and pears are some great fruits for when you’re down bad for something sweet. Regardless of which fruit you choose, you’ll also nourish your body with vitamins and nutrients you wouldn’t find in chocolate.
If you need a chocolate fix, there’s no closer substitute than cacao recipes, like coconut cacao iced tea. Cacao is the “raw” version of cocoa and doesn’t have any sugar additives, making it a healthier alternative. The only caveat is that the taste is a bit more bitter.
Choose High-Protein Foods
Another great way to satisfy chocolate cravings on a diet is to prepare a meal high in protein. Hunger and cravings go together, and you can easily confuse them. However, the benefit of protein is that it takes longer for your body to break down and digest than it does with other nutrients. This ensures you’ll feel full and satisfied for longer, staving off pesky cravings that would otherwise fester in the back of your mind.
Foods To Perk Up
On days where you feel sluggish and tired, chocolate cravings may arise as a way to give yourself a quick boost of energy. Solve this with simple solutions, like black coffee or black tea, as they lack calories and provide plenty of caffeine to help you feel awake. However, if you can’t stand the bitter taste, some low-fat creamers are perfectly acceptable to add some flavor without adding too many calories.