Don’t think twice if you get a chocolate craving in the morning. Gargi Bansod tells you why it’s a good idea to take a bite...
We have been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And, according to new research, eating chocolate could be the best breakfast. And it’s not just sweet talk. Studies have revealed that a small piece of chocolate for breakfast helps you lose more weight and also keeps it off in the long run.
Benefits of chocolate
Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants which protect your body from ageing caused by free radicals. Cocoa contains flavanols, a type of flavanoid, which also act as antioxidants. Dark chocolate lowers blood pressure. And the best part about it is that chocolate contains serotonin which is a natural anti-depressant that stimulates endorphin production, which creates feelings of happiness and pleasure.
Chocolate at morning
It is always better to curb your cravings rather than deprive your body of them. Avoiding sweets altogether creates a psychological addiction to them in the long run. Having something sweet in the morning satisfies your sweet tooth and jump starts your metabolism. If you have a small piece of chocolate in the morning when your serotonin levels (your feel-good hormones) are high, you’ll feel happy the whole day. You will also be providing your body with its daily sweet dose and so, you won’t end up binging on it later on in the day.
It’s not what you eat, but how much, that matters most. So, don’t binge on innumerable bars of chocolates. Consume chocolate in moderation. Also, make sure that you add protein and healthy fats along with your chocolate breakfast so that you balance it out and give your body a complete boost of valuable nutrients early in the morning.
Here’s how you can indulge in this sweet treat without feeling guilty. Try some Nutella on whole wheat toast or oatmeal with dark chocolate chips. Or make some chocolate chip pancakes.