Tuesday 25 September 2012

Day forty one Chocolate The Health Food

Contrary to popular belief, cacao, the main ingredient that makes up chocolate, is actually good for us - without the sugar etc thats added to commercially produced bars, I might add!
Cacao is the unique,and irreplaceable , ingredient that comes from the bean of the Amazonian cacao tree. Pure cacao powder delivers a powerful dose of natural flavonols that have been found to help prevent clogged arteries, improve circulation and reduce blood pressure.
Raw cacao is high in magnesium, iron, chromium, tryptophan, and antioxidants. It's also high in the mineral sulphur associated with strong nails, healthy, shiny hair, and a clean liver and pancreas.
Wow!!!! Impressive! So how come we've learnt to abuse it by mixing it with so many CRAP ingredients which are now responsible for the likes of diabetes, obesity, IBS, acid reflux, constipation and many many more wide spread health challenges?

In its natural state it can help your health - raw cacao can be bought in powder form (like cocoa powder) or as 'nibs', both of which can be bought on line from the likes of www.goodnessdirect.com. I love cacao nibs as a mid morning snack mixed with toasted cashew nuts, and use cacao powder in recipes for cakes, buns, pancakes and mousses. It can even be added to the likes of chilli!
There is no evidence that when eaten in this way the cacao bean is linked to obesity - but abuse it in commercial chocolate bars sold in their millions every day in this country alone and you have a very different story!
Yes the cacao bean contains some caffeine but not in great amounts, it's actually considered a poor source. It doesn't elevate the blood sugar in the same way that other stronger caffeine containing products do, unless mixed in the commercial bars already mentioned.
So why not go ahead and try some- I believe you'll be most pleasantly surprised.
Today's food:
Breakfast: protein shake aloe Vera
Lunch : Turkey, tomatoes, basil and rocket salad
Dinner roast pork with crackling , roasted vegetables: carrots, onions, courgettes, garlic
Snacks: nuts, cacao nibs, chocolate and nut cookie, blueberries and strawberries.
Day forty one down, one day to go!!

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