Chocolate Craving Meaning and Healthy Substitutes

Cara Stewart, RD, LDN, is a member of the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery team. In this blog post, she discusses chocolate craving meanings and healthy substitutes for chocolate.

Giving in to a chocolate craving doesn’t have to sabotage your weight-loss efforts. In fact, enjoying chocolate in moderation, especially antioxidant-rich dark chocolate, has been linked to better moods, decreased stroke risk, and improved heart health. The next time a chocolate craving strikes you, try one of these lower calorie chocolate treats.

Dark chocolate
2 squares = ~140 calories

• Be sure to check the label so you don’t over-indulge. 
• To reap the health benefits of chocolate, choose dark varieties. The health benefits are greater with a higher the cocoa content. 
• Choose types with at least 65% cacao.

Emerald Cocoa-Roasted Almonds
1 oz = 150 calories or 100 calorie packs

Light Chocolate Soy milk
1 cup = 90 calories

No Sugar Added Chocolate pudding
4 oz = 60-70 calories, depending on brand

Skinny Cow Fudge bar
1 bar = 100 calories

Special K Chocolately Delight cereal
¾ cup + ½ cup skim milk = 160 calories

Kashi Dark Chocolate Coconut bar
1 bar = 120 calories

Chocolate Graham Crackers
2 whole crackers = 130 calories

Homemade Hot Chocolate
1 cup = 100 calories

• Put 1 Tbsp cocoa powder into a mug.
• Heat 1 cup of skim milk in microwave for 1-1/2 minutes or until hot.
• Gradually add hot milk to cocoa in mug, stirring until well blended.
• Stir in ¼ tsp vanilla extract and 1-2 packets of sugar substitute, or to taste.