For some of us, nothing satisfies quite like chocolate. In fact, surveys show that for women chocolate ranks as the #1 most craved food. But with bikini season right around the corner, can you indulge in chocolatey treats without blowing your diet? Here are 6 ideas to satisfy your chocolate urge — all under 200 calories and some with real nutritional benefits. So boldly go forth, and enjoy the occasional chocolatey treat… and may Portion Control be with you! Author’s Note: All of the following are my honest-to-goodness recommendations from years of experience as a chocoholic — and RD! These are not paid endorsements.
Oh, those strawberries!
Some people get away with indulging in a modest sweet every day. Not me.
I find when I want/need to take the edge off a craving for sweet I reach for a small piece of the most delicious pure dark chocolate. No fat free, sugar free or highly processed concoction. Quality can trump quantity.
Timing is important. The metabolic fallout seems to be less if I time my treat right after a protein rich meal. Frequency also counts. I don’t tumble into craving more and more if I don’t indulge every day.
Compulsive eaters or those who identify with being addicted to sweets often can’t imagine enjoying “some”. I suspect a complex metabolic dynamic at play. Sometimes people are able to quit “cold turkey”; others need to wean themselves more slowly. Many people give up because they don’t understand how the process works. They feel defeated every time they give into a craving. They are soon overwhelmed.
Self regulation and resilience are key to navigating sweets and other treats in our abundant and adulterated food environment. From indulgent food behavior to extremely rigid approaches, the range of eating patterns is wide. My goal is to help people develop a functional approach to food–and the treats that trip them up–that works.
Hi Bonnie,
Thank you for your insightful comments. I agree that for some people, enjoying “some” is not an option.
Katherine
I’ve been going to hot chocolate for my craving. I make it hot so I really have to take my time to enjoy it, and very filling.
I want to try that yogurt, thanks for sharing!
would love to try sweetened dark chocolate
I love the Skinny Cow clusters in dark chocolate!