By Donna V. Scaglione
Yes, you can have your dessert and be healthy, too. You just have to make smart choices regarding which desserts to eat and how much of them to consume. This means sharing that piece of scrumptious chocolate cheesecake with your dining mates (Tell your server, extra forks, please) and buying angel’s food cake instead of devil’s food cake at the bakery.
But fear not: Dessert, even when it’s good for you, can still be a most pleasurable experience. Here’s how to have great taste and good health.
1. Choose dark chocolate
Don’t feel guilty about indulging in the sweet taste and creamy texture of dark chocolate because it’s good for you — when eaten in moderation. Studies have shown that dark chocolate can help lower blood pressure and rates of heart disease. Plus, dark chocolate contains mood-lifting compounds like tryptophan, magnesium, and tyramine.
Chocolate with a 70 percent or higher level of cocoa will give you the greatest number of healthy compounds — the darker the chocolate the healthier for you it is. Steer clear of poor-quality chocolate with additives, and don’t feel bad about enjoying a small piece — about an ounce — a few times a week, the Cleveland Clinic says.
