Do you love chocolate but struggle with weight and blood sugar problems? Approximately 18 million people in the United States have diabetes, and the majority struggle with their diet. Diabetes occurs when the insulin (produced by the pancreas) does not effectively transport glucose (sugar from of the food you eat). into your bodies cells. Your cells utilize glucose as an energy source necessary for living. When the glucose remains in the bloodstream, it causes your blood sugar levels to escalate. If left untreated, high blood glucose (sugar) levels can result in complications that affect your vision, heart, kidneys and circulation. Research has shown that proper diet, weight, and exercise are effective tools to delay or prevent the onset, or slow the the course of diabetes in many individuals.
Does chocolate have a place on your plate when you have diabetes? The answer is a qualified yes: there is room for healthy chocolate as long as you keep your calories under control. In fact, eating healthy cacao (dark chocolate) could be the first step to a whole new you. It is often more difficult to loose weight when struggling with diabetes especially for those who are limited in their physical activity. Cutting calories and eliminating sweets can get discouraging. It is easy to give up on losing weight and simply return to old eating habits while relying on insulin to balance out sugar levels. Including a healthy chocolate dessert or treat into a diet on a daily basis can drastically improve, not just the physical diet plan, but the emotional benefits that also play an important role in a diabetic life style. Chocolate is a known "Happy Feelings" food; however, it is very important to consume the RIGHT kind of chocolate. Just because the chocolate package says "sugarless" does not mean it is good for your body. The saying "We Are What We Eat" holds true when trying to keep our bodies healthy. A fun way for diabetics to get the nutrition they need is by eating what researchers call healthy or all natural chocolate. The cacao bean or dark chocolate, when processed properly, is at the top of the list of super foods. All Natural Chocolate:
* Is packed with protective Antioxidants
* Is shown by research to be good for your body
* Can aid the Cardiovascular System (healthy heart)
* Can help moderate Blood Pressure
* Can help lower LDL Cholesterol
* Does not have a negative effect on Blood Sugar levels
* Elevates Mood - contains Serotonin (natural anti-depressant)
