Did you know chocolate is good for you?
#151
Getting back to the topic of chocolate. What is your daily dose ?....For me it's 12 squares per day which is half of Cadbury Milk Chocolate Bar which I eat as a late afternoon snack at work... If I am having a really hard intense day at work I will eat 24 squares which is an entire chocolate bar.
Anyway my daily dose of dark chocolate is around half a small bar, maybe 40g.
#152
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Sin City, Nevada
Posts: 2,914
Bikes: Catrike 700, Greenspeed GTO trike, , Linear LWB recumbent, Haluzak Horizon SWB recumbent, Balance 450 MTB, Cannondale SM800 Beast of the East
Likes: 0
Liked 244 Times
in
192 Posts
I admit to loving chocolate more than I probably should. Nobody will ever convince me that it could be considered a "health food" though. I especially like the high % cocoa chocolate. One look at the nutritional information on the back of the package tells me otherwise. I have two packages of chocolate in front of me, Lindt 85% cocoa extra dark chocolate and Falize 74% dark chocolate. It is the high saturated fat content that keeps me from thinking it could ever be a wonder food for long life. These are 100g bars (3.5 oz). A serving size is 4 squares weighing 40 grams. That's not much and I could easily eat more than a single serving at a time. Nutritional information is on back of packages: Both show the same profile for both bars.
Total fat 18g which is more than 1/4 of the fat a normal adult should eat in an entire day Saturated fat 11 grams which is more than half the saturated fat one should eat in an entire day. 250 calories and of that 160 calories are from fat. The rest of the calories are from the sugar used to sweeten the chocolate.
Unfortunately it is hard for the Food and Drug Administration to challenge claims like the one above unless they can prove that a food or nutritional supplement causes illness or death. A former senator from Utah managed to get a bill passed that prohibits the FDA from challenging dubious claims for nutritional supplements. I would rather get my nutrition from real foods than from some overpriced supplement with dubious claims. In the meantime I will continue to eat dark chocolate on occasion in small quantity and not worry about heavy metals that may be in it. If you want to have something to really avoid it is the chocolate coated or chocolate flavored products in which the cocoa butter fat is replaced by palm or palm kernel oil. That's the most saturated fat on the planet. If it does not melt in your hand it probably coats the insides of your arteries as well.
Total fat 18g which is more than 1/4 of the fat a normal adult should eat in an entire day Saturated fat 11 grams which is more than half the saturated fat one should eat in an entire day. 250 calories and of that 160 calories are from fat. The rest of the calories are from the sugar used to sweeten the chocolate.
Unfortunately it is hard for the Food and Drug Administration to challenge claims like the one above unless they can prove that a food or nutritional supplement causes illness or death. A former senator from Utah managed to get a bill passed that prohibits the FDA from challenging dubious claims for nutritional supplements. I would rather get my nutrition from real foods than from some overpriced supplement with dubious claims. In the meantime I will continue to eat dark chocolate on occasion in small quantity and not worry about heavy metals that may be in it. If you want to have something to really avoid it is the chocolate coated or chocolate flavored products in which the cocoa butter fat is replaced by palm or palm kernel oil. That's the most saturated fat on the planet. If it does not melt in your hand it probably coats the insides of your arteries as well.
#153
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,719
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Liked 2,496 Times
in
1,287 Posts
#155
I admit to loving chocolate more than I probably should. Nobody will ever convince me that it could be considered a "health food" though. I especially like the high % cocoa chocolate. One look at the nutritional information on the back of the package tells me otherwise. I have two packages of chocolate in front of me, Lindt 85% cocoa extra dark chocolate and Falize 74% dark chocolate. It is the high saturated fat content that keeps me from thinking it could ever be a wonder food for long life. These are 100g bars (3.5 oz). A serving size is 4 squares weighing 40 grams. That's not much and I could easily eat more than a single serving at a time. Nutritional information is on back of packages: Both show the same profile for both bars.
Total fat 18g which is more than 1/4 of the fat a normal adult should eat in an entire day Saturated fat 11 grams which is more than half the saturated fat one should eat in an entire day. 250 calories and of that 160 calories are from fat. The rest of the calories are from the sugar used to sweeten the chocolate.
Unfortunately it is hard for the Food and Drug Administration to challenge claims like the one above unless they can prove that a food or nutritional supplement causes illness or death. A former senator from Utah managed to get a bill passed that prohibits the FDA from challenging dubious claims for nutritional supplements. I would rather get my nutrition from real foods than from some overpriced supplement with dubious claims. In the meantime I will continue to eat dark chocolate on occasion in small quantity and not worry about heavy metals that may be in it. If you want to have something to really avoid it is the chocolate coated or chocolate flavored products in which the cocoa butter fat is replaced by palm or palm kernel oil. That's the most saturated fat on the planet. If it does not melt in your hand it probably coats the insides of your arteries as well.
Total fat 18g which is more than 1/4 of the fat a normal adult should eat in an entire day Saturated fat 11 grams which is more than half the saturated fat one should eat in an entire day. 250 calories and of that 160 calories are from fat. The rest of the calories are from the sugar used to sweeten the chocolate.
Unfortunately it is hard for the Food and Drug Administration to challenge claims like the one above unless they can prove that a food or nutritional supplement causes illness or death. A former senator from Utah managed to get a bill passed that prohibits the FDA from challenging dubious claims for nutritional supplements. I would rather get my nutrition from real foods than from some overpriced supplement with dubious claims. In the meantime I will continue to eat dark chocolate on occasion in small quantity and not worry about heavy metals that may be in it. If you want to have something to really avoid it is the chocolate coated or chocolate flavored products in which the cocoa butter fat is replaced by palm or palm kernel oil. That's the most saturated fat on the planet. If it does not melt in your hand it probably coats the insides of your arteries as well.
#156
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,969
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease Carbon Deore 11, 2020 Salsa Warbird GRX 600, 2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX disc 9.0 Di2, 2020 Catrike Eola, 2016 Masi cxgr, 2011, Felt F3 Ltd, 2010 Trek 2.1, 2009 KHS Flite 220
Liked 3,375 Times
in
2,098 Posts
#157
eg
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cacao-vs-cocoa
https://www.webmd.com/diet/differenc...ghtly%20bitter.
It’s a bit confusing, but I think the basic distinction is that cacao is less processed at lower temperatures. My wife sometimes buys cacao powder or nibs and it is a lot more intense and bitter than cocoa powder from the same brand.
The cacao chocolate I mentioned was actually 70% cacao, not 80% like I stated earlier.
#158
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,969
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease Carbon Deore 11, 2020 Salsa Warbird GRX 600, 2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX disc 9.0 Di2, 2020 Catrike Eola, 2016 Masi cxgr, 2011, Felt F3 Ltd, 2010 Trek 2.1, 2009 KHS Flite 220
Liked 3,375 Times
in
2,098 Posts
I didn’t have a specific source in mind, but a quick Google comes up with a few links
eg
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cacao-vs-cocoa
https://www.webmd.com/diet/differenc...ghtly%20bitter.
It’s a bit confusing, but I think the basic distinction is that cacao is less processed at lower temperatures. My wife sometimes buys cacao powder or nibs and it is a lot more intense and bitter than cocoa powder from the same brand.
The cacao chocolate I mentioned was actually 70% cacao, not 80% like I stated earlier.
eg
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cacao-vs-cocoa
https://www.webmd.com/diet/differenc...ghtly%20bitter.
It’s a bit confusing, but I think the basic distinction is that cacao is less processed at lower temperatures. My wife sometimes buys cacao powder or nibs and it is a lot more intense and bitter than cocoa powder from the same brand.
The cacao chocolate I mentioned was actually 70% cacao, not 80% like I stated earlier.
#159
Yes for sure. The more important thing is to look for a minimum number of high quality organic ingredients. Even some dark chocolates are full of added sugar and other junk.
This guide to chocolate from Zoe is pretty good. They don’t mention cacao vs cocoa.
https://zoe.com/learn/dark-chocolate...h-benefits.amp
One health benefit I personally find is that eating a small amount of high quality dark chocolate prevents me from eating much larger quantities of junk chocolate!
This guide to chocolate from Zoe is pretty good. They don’t mention cacao vs cocoa.
https://zoe.com/learn/dark-chocolate...h-benefits.amp
One health benefit I personally find is that eating a small amount of high quality dark chocolate prevents me from eating much larger quantities of junk chocolate!
#160
Junior Member
Which one is your favorite chocolate?
Out of so many choices I prefer Lindt 75% and Ritter dark chocolate with whole hazelnuts.
Out of so many choices I prefer Lindt 75% and Ritter dark chocolate with whole hazelnuts.
#161
Senior Member
Aldi's Winternacht Erdnussberge (earth nut mountain?) dark chocolate clusters are a bit déclassé in comparison, but they're irresistible. They sold out almost immediately after they showed up in late November in the three Aldi locations that are within easy riding distance. (No Winternacht spiced Speculatius cookies this year for some reason.)
#162
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Right where I'm supposed to be
Posts: 1,707
Bikes: Franklin Frames Custom, Rivendell Bombadil
Liked 242 Times
in
150 Posts
I'm not a huge chocolate lover but when I want some I take some cocoa powder, a little water and some very ripe banana(as in nice and sweet smelling). Throw it in a saucepan, mash the banana with a fork, slowly heat it up. I let it slow boil for some 5 minutes. You can vary the consistency as you like, but for me it's all about the intense flavor, and I only want a few spoonfuls. If I wasn't using banana, I'd use honey, or date syrup. Anything but a fake sweetener, heck I'd use white sugar before a fake sweetener anymore. And yes, I used to eat all sorts of things with such fakes, but not for decades now. Sugar doesn't kill anyone. These dummies always leave off the part about "excessive" consumption. Hey, excessive water will kill you too.
#164
Grupetto Bob
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,968
Bikes: Bikey McBike Face
Liked 6,633 Times
in
3,352 Posts
Anyone else enjoy a tall glass of chocolate milk after a ride?
Yeah I know it is sugar and crappy chocolate… but do ya?
Yeah I know it is sugar and crappy chocolate… but do ya?
__________________
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
#167
I was just responding to your flippant statement that “sugar doesn’t kill anyone” and that the “dummies” fail to mention excess consumption. Neither of which are actually true.
Likes For PeteHski:
#169
Senior Member
Chocolate milk was being touted by a lot of people on Bike Forums as a miracle cure-all post-ride topper-upper in past years. Same for pickle juice. Maybe mix them for the ultimate benefit?
#172
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 9,171
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Liked 2,172 Times
in
1,335 Posts
I have a limited appreciation of chocolate milk. During a ride (say at a control or rest stop), if I get back on the bike relatively quickly, it gives me stomach trouble. At the end of a day's ride, there's maybe half an hour between "I'm cool enough to enjoy chocolate milk" and "Yuck, I've outgrown that cloying muck." But during that brief period, it's delightful!
#173
I have a limited appreciation of chocolate milk. During a ride (say at a control or rest stop), if I get back on the bike relatively quickly, it gives me stomach trouble. At the end of a day's ride, there's maybe half an hour between "I'm cool enough to enjoy chocolate milk" and "Yuck, I've outgrown that cloying muck." But during that brief period, it's delightful!
#174
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,719
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Liked 2,496 Times
in
1,287 Posts
I drink chocolate milk during my rides, instead of after a ride...and no milk doesn't instantly go bad without refrigeration and will keep fresh for a few hours if you know how to store it properly. On warm or hot days I carry it inside an insulated stainless steel bottle and drink it when I take a break in the middle of my ride. Been doing it this way for many years.
#175
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,719
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Liked 2,496 Times
in
1,287 Posts