Dark chocolate in small quantities is good for your heart health. Unfortunately, many people can't stop at the one ounce recommended serving or they eat chocolate treats without the healthy, high cocoa content. Chocolate can be quite addictive and many people have a hard time managing their cravings.
The best way to avoid chocolate overeating is to take a brisk 15 minute walk before facing chocolate. In a study reported in Appetite 58:387, 2012, researchers randomly assigned 78 men and women to either take a 15 minute brisk walk on a treadmill or sit quietly at a desk for 15 minutes before doing either a stressful or a simple computer task. All members of the group typically ate one or two chocolate bars a day. During the tasks, the participants were allowed to take as many chocolates that they desired from a full bowl which was placed on a nearby table. The walkers averaged about a 1/2 ounce of chocolate and the non-walkers ate about one ounce. The stress level of the computer task had no impact on the number of calories eaten.
Walking will build your appetite muscles in addition to building your body muscles. It can also save you about 70 calories in chocolate and burn about 75 calories in exercise. All around this brisk walking thing before chocolate is a win win.
Stay healthy & well,
Lisa
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