Q&A for How to Overcome a Chocolate Addiction

Cravings are our body's way of communicating nutrient deficiencies. A chocolate craving is a sign of a magnesium deficiency and can be corrected by eating magnesium-rich foods. The next time you crave chocolate, try eating almonds covered with a thin layer of dark chocolate to satisfy both your body’s need for magnesium and your sweet tooth. Other magnesium-rich foods include almonds, spinach, and cashews.

According to research by the Tulane University, the theobromine content in chocolate can be good for your teeth, as it has properties that help strengthen teeth. Of course, this relates to sugar-free chocolate. For chocolate that is filled with sugar, frequent eating will not be beneficial for your teeth.

Chocolate has high levels of antioxidants known as flavanols, which can protect from cell damage. Antioxidants play an important role in prevention of heart disease and lowering blood pressure. However, chocolate bars, truffles, etc. often contain sugar, fats, flavorings, etc., so chocolate should only be eaten in small amounts as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

Theobromine has been shown in scientific studies to have mild addictive effects. However, although similar in chemical structure to caffeine, it is not as strong as the effects from caffeine. Theobromine relaxes blood vessels and speeds up your heart rate, which can offer a sense of enjoyment.

For most people, it should be fine to eat a square or two of fine quality dark chocolate every few days. This should be sufficient to get benefits from chocolate without ingesting too much sugar, fat, etc., and to calm you cravings. However, if you experience reactions to chocolate (like headaches, nausea, etc.), or it causes you to eat a lot more chocolate, then it would be better to find another healthy sweet food to nibble on, like berries, bliss balls, etc.

This is usually emotional (comfort) eating. Try working out what's bothering you, perhaps do some relaxation exercises. Or, if you're eating because you're tired, try going to bed early instead of eating chocolate.

You may want to try to find some candy made with stevia. Stevia is many times sweeter than sugar and is zero calorie. It is herbal though, so it does not have all the side effects of artificial sweeteners. Alternatively you can just eat fruit if it's sweetness you are craving.

Find something natural and equally as sweet to substitute in. I love ginger. I only need one piece because the flavor is so strong and the lingering aftertaste makes me feel as if I am having so much more of it. Best part is, because it is natural, it is lower in calories than chocolate. Ginger also has the capability to settle an upset stomach.

Not if it doesn't keep you awake or make your heart race. But addiction is a mental problem as well. How difficult would it be to not have that chocolate at night? Just try to think about how this may be affecting you. If you don't feel the need to stop eating it, then don't.

A plain Hershey chocolate bar has about 200 calories (significantly more for bars that include other ingredients). This means walking for about an hour or jogging for a half-hour to burn the calories. So as long as you're prepared to work off your indulgence with the appropriate amount of extra exercise, you won't gain weight.

Chocolate is full of sugar and fat, which is what makes it so tasty and delicious. It also causes your body to release serotonin, a neurotransmitter that makes you feel happy and good. If you eat chocolate all the time, you can build up a tolerance, which can cause you to feel withdrawal effects whenever you stop eating chocolate.

You can help stop your chocolate cravings by finding another sweet snack that's healthier for you. For example, instead of a candy bar, try eating fresh or dried fruit to satisfy your sugar craving. You can also distract yourself whenever you feel a craving coming on by going for a walk or by doing something else that you enjoy like talking to a friend or playing a game on your phone.

The caffeine that is naturally found in chocolate can cause nervousness, insomnia, and a rapid heartbeat if you eat too much. If you eat too much chocolate over time, it can cause weight gain, skin reactions, headaches, and constipation. Always eat chocolate in moderation to avoid any negative side effects.