Have you ever wondered what the secret to happiness is? Is it wealth, or health, or love, or is it something else? Can it be something tangible, like chocolate maybe?
You probably have passed through times when you feel depressed and you crave chocolate so bad and when you get one it feels like heaven and that makes you happy. But did you stop there or did this sensation drag you to eating more than one?
The problem with chocolate is not when we indulge in a sweet treat every now and then, rather it is when we over-consume, which is easy to do.
Dear "chocoholics", your obsession with chocolate can be cured. Studies have shown that continuous chocolate craving is mainly due to the emotional states and the environment so it is not a true addiction. Biologically speaking, chocolate is high in sugar which triggers the release of feel-good brain chemical - serotonin- that makes you feel happy and satisfied. So since the feeling is great post eating chocolate, you will repeatedly eat in order to experience this feeling again and again and this is why you will feel addicted to it.
Moreover, those who tried to lose weight reported that chocolate interfered with their lives such as preventing them from attaining their ideal weight. Can you relate?
If so, I gathered some tips to help you control your "addiction":
1- Figure out what emotion triggers this urge to eat chocolate and control it
2- Decrease portion, no need to fully restrict. For example, aim for a bar less than 150 calories)
3- Take your mind off the cravings. You can have a walk, talk to your friends, read a book....
4- Always have healthier choices nearby. Fruits are sweet and satisfying; it is a good idea to keep your fridge full of apples and oranges
5- Try eating dark chocolate. In fact chocolate can be healthy for you, as long as it's dark (>70%)
6- Chew a gum which can help in controlling you cravings
7- Eat regularly to maintain normal blood sugar. If you have irregular meals, your blood sugar will decrease and your cravings will increase
Along with these tips you need one more major thing that is willpower. As cheesy as I may sound, where there's a will there's a way.
So the next time you feel like eating an entire box of chocolate, take a few minutes to think whether or not it is worth indulging in this desire. Will eating chocolate now make you regret it 2 kg later?
My tip for you would be to never swear off your favorite chocolate because you will come back for more. It is not a problem if you had a piece of chocolate cake or a brownie as long as you never lose control.
This takes us to the fact that balance is the key.Be the boss of your body and not the way round and don't let chocolate define your happiness.
They say that one smile makes a person feel as good as eating 2,000 bars of chocolate. So smile often and save those calories.
-By Saja El Masri
