If you want to lose weight, it is good to know that you can still eat sweets because you can opt for dark chocolate for weight loss.
Dark Chocolate for Weight Loss
Dark chocolate has become more famous for its bittersweet taste and health benefits. Yet, some still are not aware of dark chocolate for weight loss. As we go through, we’ll know how dark chocolate may help in weight loss.
Improves Insulin Sensitivity
Insulin is the hormone responsible for giving off sugar in the blood to cells for energy use. Certain studies suggest that this chocolate may enhance insulin sensitivity. Insulin sensitivity will help in decreasing insulin in the blood resulting in weight loss and less fat.
Decreases Cravings
Once you feel hungry, it may be easy for you to overeat. Studies suggest that dark chocolate may promote a feeling of fullness. So, it will reduce your cravings and the tendency for overeating that helps in weight loss.
A study has shown that dark chocolate consumption results in reduced levels of the hormone ghrelin. This hormone is the one that makes you feel hungry. That’s why it’s called the “hunger hormone” making dark chocolate for weight loss effective.
Three Delicious Dark Chocolate Recipes
1. Chocolate Orange Fondue
This initial recipe will teach you to make a tangy-sweet sauce with dark chocolate’s rich flavor and texture. Dark chocolate and orange has been a great pair for desserts. Truly, this sauce will be hard to resist.
What you’ll need:
- 12 ounces of dark chocolate
- 3 tablespoons of orange juice
- 1 tablespoon of orange zest
- 1 teaspoon of orange liqueur
- 1 ¼ cups of thick cream
The time needed: 15 minutes (for preparation and cooking)
Steps:
- In a pan, mix the 1 ¼ cup of thick cream with the 3 tbsp orange juice. Remove from heat once you see bubbles appearing on the edges of the pan.
- Whisk the hot mixture with the 12 oz. of dark chocolate, 1 tbsp of orange zest, and 1 tsp of orange liqueur.
- To avoid hardening, keep it warm by choosing the lowest heat option. Let it sit.
- That’s it! You may try this fondue with fruits like strawberries. You may also add any of these: squeezed blueberry juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne, or peanut butter to enhance or improve the flavor.
2. Black Bean Chili with Sweet Chocolate and Coconut Recipe
Have a blast with this vegan dish which uses dark chocolate for weight loss. It seems like a very rare combination of spices, cocoa, and coconut. Try this if you want to taste something new and healthy.
What you’ll need:
- 1 pound of dried black beans (rinsed)
- 1 fresh red chili (diced)
- ¼ cup of garam masala
- 1 tablespoon of cumin
- ¼ coconut flakes
- 2 tbsp. of cocoa powder
- 8 cups of water
- 6 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 tbsp. of olive oil
The time needed: 2 and half an hour/8 hours
Steps
- Heat oil on medium heat, then minces the garlic into fine pieces. Sauté it for five (5) minutes by constant stirring or shaking of the pot.
- Add the garam masala and cumin to the pot. Cook for a few minutes until the smell of the spices rises from the pot.
- Mix in water, diced red chili, coconut flakes, and cocoa powder. Let it boil and reduce to medium-low heat. Put the lid on, leaving a slight gap. Simmer for two (2) hours until the beans are almost cooked.
- If you desire, you may enhance the flavor with salt and pepper or honey. Heat it again for half an hour until the black beans are fully cooked.
If the texture does not seem good to you, put it in a food processor for a few minutes. If you have a slow cooker, you may put it in low heat for 6-8 hours.
3. Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups
Peanut butter cups are enticing, sweet, and creamy. But they are not the option you would choose if you want to live a disease-free life.
This last recipe will show you how to have dark chocolate for weight loss purposes. It will give you the sweet, creamy yet healthy option.
What you’ll need:
- 7-8 ounces (oz.) of dark chocolate or cocoa/baking chocolate (sweetened to taste with maple syrup)
- ½ cup of almond butter
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 2 tablespoons of coconut flour
- 2 and ½ teaspoons of arrowroot powder
Time needed:
Steps
- Put mini-muffin cups and line a muffin tin.
- In a bowl, mix the butter, honey, coconut, flour, and arrowroot powder. Stir well until it is mixed well.
- Break the chocolate into smaller pieces. With a double boiler or in a microwave, melt the chocolate for 10-seconds blasts. Then stir.
- Drizzle a tsp. of the melted chocolate into the muffin cups. Slowly rotate the cups to line the sides with the chocolate drizzle. Leave some space at the top.
- After, put 2 tsp of the almond butter mixture in each cup. Roll into balls.
- Again, you can top the muffin cups with chocolate.
- You may want to use sea salt. Sprinkle it over the individual chocolate.
- Let it cool and harden.
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