Chocolate can be the ultimate comfort food, as studies show that it improves symptoms of depression and anxiety. Chocolate has also been said to improve brain function and make us feel more energetic. With so many benefits it is no wonder that our bodies constantly crave chocolate.

However, there is a dark side to chocolate, one that we all know but tend to push under the rug. Being so addictive by nature many people indulge in chocolate on a daily basis. These empty calories lead to weight gain and increase your chances of heart disease and diabetes. Regular chocolate consumption has a negative effect on your teeth, causing cavities and resulting in the weakening of your teeth. Chocolate has also been known to cause acne in certain cases.

Good or bad, healthy snack or empty calories, which one is it? The thing that we should all remember when it comes to chocolate is that just like everything else we should eat it in moderation. Here are some healthy tips to help you beat that chocolate craving that we are all prone to.

One simple tip is to make a rule about no chocolate in the house. This ensures that you do not go out and buy chocolate to consume at home. Nor do you ever have extra chocolate lying around at home whenever you feel like having some. You can’t eat it if you can’t find it.

Instead of always reaching for chocolates when you feel down it would be a much better idea to understand exactly what your body is craving and provide it with that. When you crave chocolate your body is craving magnesium and antioxidants. Instead of reaching for chocolate you can eat snacks that give you the same sugar rush while being healthier. You can get healthy and sweet by buying baked coconut laddus and homemade baked bhakarwadis from DIP Foods. You can also simply choose to drink more water until you’re full instead of eating chocolate.

Instead of going out to buy chocolates or heading towards your fridge to scavenge for the last piece you can also beat your craving by taking a walk. Taking a walk gives you something to do and takes your mind off the craving until it has passed. You can also replace the habit by calling up an old friend and chatting for 10 minutes or leaving your seat and getting some light stretching and exercise in.

The final piece of advice, if you have to eat chocolate then go with dark chocolate. Dark chocolate has all of chocolates advantages while minimising its disadvantages. Rather than forcing yourself to give up chocolate forever it will be much easier to munch on dark chocolate whenever the craving hits. Understand the real reason behind your cravings, notice when your chocolate cravings hit hardest, is it when you’re stressed or at a certain time of the day? Once you recognise the signs you can then find ways to say goodbye to those cravings forever!