There are more people who love chocolate, than people who don’t. Sometimes the best tasting part of chocolate isn’t the healthiest which can easily be a disappointment. Sugar, for example, contributes to decreasing health by weight gain and it also isn’t good for your teeth. This means you might not get to bite into as much scrumptious chocolate as you like, especially if you’re on a diet or diabetic. However, we have a solution: sugar-free chocolate.
It may sound like an oxymoron, but it’s not! Sugar-free chocolate uses a substitute sweetener just like you might use a substitute in your own kitchen at home. In many cases, it’s sugar alcohols. There are multiple sugar alcohols that can add sweetness to a sugar-free chocolate, but not all of them are the best alternative. Phytonutrients, which are natural chemicals that are found in a variety of plant foods, is one option that’s safe and nourishing as a sugar substitute. However, there are two sugar alcohols that aren’t as favorable for human consumption: Maltitol and Erythritol. Although some companies market Maltitol as being lower in both calories and carbohydrates, there are many reasons why it is not recommended. Which is why we suggest staying away from both.
You might be hesitant to try sugar-free chocolate because of trouble you’ve had with different sugar-free products. It is true that you should enjoy sugarless chocolate in moderation, but that is true of any chocolate. Enjoying a morsel on a daily basis is not damaging, but eating an entire box or bag in one sitting isn’t as rewarding to your health as it might taste. The cocoa butter content in sugar-free chocolates still has some fat, which means everything in moderation.
Nevertheless, there are many health benefits to chocolate. Dark chocolate is especially known for its proven health benefits. Enjoying a bite can contribute to lower blood pressure, and it is full of antioxidants, which are great for you. Milk chocolate has a higher milk content as the name suggests, which interferes with how your body processes antioxidants. Similarly, enjoying a glass of milk with your sugar-free dark chocolate reduces those positive effects.
Of course, sugar-free chocolate complements almonds or peanuts if you enjoy nuts. In fact, many people can’t even tell when chocolate is sugar-free when the right substitute is used and the recipe is perfected. Now you can still enjoy chocolate, without feeling so guilty!
