How To Enjoy Chocolate Without Guilt

Chocolate is something wonderful, and eaten in moderation, it can be a delicious treat. But many people have a negative 'thing' about Chocolate. Many feel they shouldn't have or fear if they do have some that it will lead to overeating. The fear of overeating Chocolate is real a concern, and if this is your concern, you can read more about how to fundamentally change that here before proceeding with this exercise.

Back to the post...Chocolate has gotten a bad rap and it's not deserved. Real Chocolate, not highly processed candy, is rich in antioxidants and phyto-nutrients and has been used as medicine as well as money in many cultures and civilizations.

So, how do you enjoy chocolate without guilt? There are so many ways. I like it in my morning smoothie (raw powdered cacao). I like it in a flourless chocolate cake, ice cream, or chocolate ganache, and in many other forms. But my favorite is simple plain dark chocolate in bar form, preferably with almonds or hazelnuts. All I need is a small piece and I'm satisfied. So, if you're not accustomed to enjoying Chocolate, here are a few suggestions you may enjoy:

Step 1- Find the Chocolate:

Just for this experiment, find a Chocolate bar that intrigues you. Find Chocolate that is real, not full of artificial additives and/or preservatives. You'll know as it won't be from a well known candy company (go artisan!). Go for the cacao in the percentage that you enjoy. Seventy-four percent and above is pretty bitter, but you may enjoy it like I do. Cocoa butter makes for an excellent fat in your Chocolate bar. Also, go for the real sugar, not the artificial sweeteners. Organic cane sugar is a good choice. You can also find some sweetened with Stevia or fruit.

Step 2- Find a Friend or Find a Quiet Space:

Feel free to do this with a friend, but make sure your friend is supportive of this process. You can trade and sit with her in support after she does this for you. Once you've gotten your bar, take a small piece and break it off from the bar. Look at it, smell it, and be grateful for this soon to be delicious treat. Take deep breaths and let out your breaths completely. When you're ready, slowly take a small bite and let it melt in your mouth and don't let yourself get distracted by tv, conversation, or anything else. Give your Chocolate your FULL attention, and enjoy the flavors, textures and aroma. Notice how it changes in your mouth and how quickly it dissolves. How quickly do you feel satisfied? Is it one piece or two? If it's more than that, be aware of what's driving your desire for more. Is it rebellion? Is it habit? Is it a feeling of need or deprivation?

Step 3- Show or Feel Gratitude:

When we're grateful for the food we eat, our body resopnds more positively. If we are in fear or obsession about what we've eaten and what it will do to our body, we're setting ourselves up for feeling distress in our bodies. Yes, what you think about the food you eat affects how it impacts our bodies. The call the gut the second brain, and your mental frame of mind affects your digestion. So, showing gratitude for the enjoyment and the nourishment the Chocolate provides you, sets you up for a better experience than would focusing on fear, guilt or shame. Make sense?

More Satisfaction with Less Quantity

One thing I've noticed over the years is when you can fully enjoy REAL food like this, you'll need much less to feel satisfied. Real food satisfies like processed foods just can't. If you can give yourself permission to do this and feel a sense of peace, you're ready to enjoy Chocolate. If the thought of doing this makes you nervous, you may need to clear out some of the static that's built up for you around Chocolate. If so, this just means there's some extra clutter to clear out and it's best not to try the above experiment. If so, I invite you to please contact me, I'd be happy to help you make peace with Chocolate. When you're at peace with Chocolate, you can take it, leave it, have a small amount and stop and like yourself with any choice you make. It's your choice.

So, I'd love to hear from you. What is your favorite Chocolate? Are you able to enjoy it in peace? If you try it, let me know how it goes. Enjoy!

Yours in Health,

Kara

Kara Sorensen, MS, LAc
The Food Craving Solution
15066 Los Gatos-Almaden Rd
Suite 200
Los Gatos, CA
e: kara(at)karasorensen.com
p: 408.805.5272 (KARA)
p: 800.514.1406