Healthy Chocolate: Discover the Best Healthier Alternatives

Health conscious, gym buff or just looking to be better informed, this blog’s for you. Health and chocolate may sound like a joke to some. Isn’t all chocolate unhealthy? Well…to a certain degree, yes. But chocolate doesn’t have to be unhealthy, in fact, there are several health benefits of eating chocolate, and various chocolate makers aim to make their chocolate as healthy as possible. There has been an increase in consumers wanting more healthy chocolate alternatives, and chocolate makers have listened. 

We’re going to sift through the noise of chocolate and health and explain to you how chocolate can be enjoyed as part of a healthy diet, how some brands are trying to make it healthier and different brands we recommend for the health-conscious. 

Now you can beat your chocolate cravings without ruining your workout goals.

So, What Makes Chocolate Healthy/Unhealthy?

Let’s keep it simple. The health benefits of chocolate are down to numerous plant compounds found in cacao nibs, which chocolate is made from. Cacao nibs are a rich source of antioxidants, fibre, iron, manganese, magnesium and so on. Jam-packed with a healthy profile, doesn’t this mean chocolate is healthy?

Well, yes, taken on their own, cacao nibs are nutritious, but due to the processing of chocolate and the addition of various other ingredients, the healthy tag begins to weaken. In a bar of dark chocolate, we add sugar to cut the bitterness and make it more palatable. Rule of thumb, a 75% dark chocolate bar would have about 25% sugar added to it. Therefore, finding higher percentages of chocolate makes the bar healthier, but it’s never that simple. 

Milk chocolate, which has added milk powder and a lot more sugar, lacks the health benefits of a dark chocolate bar. White chocolate, which has only cocoa butter, does have several healthy compounds like vitamin E, vitamin K and choline, however, there is usually a lot of sugar added to white chocolate. It’s best to avoid milk and white chocolate if you’re looking for healthier chocolate alternatives.

Is Sugar the Problem?

Yes, sugar is one of the main reasons why chocolate is considered unhealthy. Sugar can increase your risk of cancers, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and poor dental health. In fact, one study posited that 184,000 deaths per year could be attributable to SSBs (sugar-sweetened beverages) consumption. Nutritionists and scientists across the globe agree excess sugar is bad for our health.

Ok, so what does this mean? Firstly, the higher the percentage, the ‘healthier’ the chocolate, as less sugar is added. However, there are other options, such as low-sugar chocolates, those that are sweetened with sweeteners instead, those that can appeal to KETO diets (ketogenic diets are low-carb, high-fat diets) and those suitable for people with diabetes. 

Why not skip sugar completely and have 100% dark chocolate? It’s not for everyone, being overly bitter, but variations come with dried fruit and nut additions to add texture and bring a natural sweetness to the product. We recommend Willie’s Cacao’s 100% Cacao with Orange & Almonds or their 100% Cacao with Pistachio & Date (a personal favourite).

Another way to up the health of your chocolate is through healthy additions. Dried fruit has already been stated, though they can be very high in sugar, but comes with additional nutritional benefits. Bars including turmeric, chia seeds, gingers and so on can bring additional health benefits. Like Pacari’s Ginger & Chia Dark Chocolate. Or Conscious’ Four Nuts Organic Dark Chocolate. 

Some brands, such as Conscious, do not use refined sugar in their chocolate. Instead, they sweeten their chocolate with coconut blossom, known for its slow-release energy, making it more suitable for diabetics and those seeking to avoid refined sugar. Try their Goji and Coconut, Organic Dark Chocolate or Peppermint Organic Dark Chocolate

Take a look at the back of your chocolate bar and see if it contains ingredients that may reduce the healthiness of the chocolate. These can include high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated fats, E numbers or other chemicals. It’s best to avoid these ingredients, especially as research is still being conducted on the safety and health of several ingredients.

What About Organic Chocolate?

This brings us to the topic of organic chocolate. In short, organic means all ingredients in a product are produced without the use of man-made fertilisers, growth regulators, livestock feed additives, pesticides, or irradiated foods and GMOs (genetically modified organisms). This means the produce is ‘cleaner’. It also prohibits artificial sweeteners, E numbers, flavours and preservatives. Overall, organic chocolate eliminates many ingredients that can reduce the healthiness of chocolate. 

Mellow’s chocolate is organic and limited in its additional ingredients, leading to a cleaner product that’s better for you, alongside inventive flavours. And though their Coconut Milk Caribbean Chocolate is milk chocolate, meaning more sugar, the indulgence is healthier than other types. Be sure to try their Dark Chocolate with Portuguese Olive Oil, again with the healthy addition of olive oil.

At the end of the day, all chocolate can be enjoyed in moderation, but it’s better to be informed about what we’re eating and consuming, especially if we’re trying to live a healthier life. To read more about the health benefits of chocolate, check out our blog diving deeper into the subject.(Insert blog link here)