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Latest News - Edition
8
LATEST NEWS will provide you with information
and handy hints for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
CHOCOLATE!
THE
CHOCOLATE FIX
Most people crave for a chocolate fix
from time to time, some of us more than others!
There are a number of components found in chocolate that make
it a desirable food. Cravings for chocolate are often related
to the effect that chocolate has on the way that we feel.
Chocolate contains moderate amounts of caffeine, a known stimulant.
Chocolate also contains a number of substances in trace amounts
that have a proven effect on improving mood. Together with
a smooth and creamy texture and sweet taste, these factors
make chocolate an enjoyable and highly desired food. Unfortunately,
chocolate is an energy dense food due mostly to the high fat
content - more than one third of chocolate is fat!! Add to
this a large amount of sugar and you have a product that is
high in calories and is a known contributor to increased body
fat levels when eaten frequently and in large amounts.
Chocolate is often consumed during times
of stress or when we are feeling depressed. Chocolate may
make us feel good immediately after it is eaten, however the
stressors that may lead us to reach for chocolate will still
be present after the chocolate has been absorbed by the body.
The added guilt that is experienced by many of us following
consumption of chocolate then makes our situation worse!
Try to think about the negative effects
of chocolate BEFORE you eat it!!
The news is not all bad
however! Although there is no real substitute for chocolate,
you can still get a chocolate hit without consuming excessive
calories. It is important to be selective with your chocolate
choices.
Remember, the ancient cultures of Central America considered
cocoa a 'food of the gods', a substance to be savoured and
consumed sparingly.
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Lisa Sutherland,
Sports Dietitian & Fitness Consultant
Website: www.lisasutherland.com
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