Is it OK to eat chocolate once a week?

Is it OK to eat sweets once a week?

If you're a cookie-and-candy-craver, don't despair. Sweets can be part of a healthy, lifelong eating pattern. But for the least harm and -- don't forget this -- the fullest enjoyment, they should be eaten in moderation. That means in small amounts, or only a couple of times a week.

Is it OK to have a treat once a week?

Yes. In fact, having a regularly scheduled cheat day each week can actually be good for weight loss by preventing binges, reducing cravings, providing a mental break from dieting, and boosting metabolism—if it's done in a healthy way.

How much chocolate can you eat a day without getting fat?

And even though quality dark chocolate is a better choice than milk chocolate, it is still chocolate, meaning it's high in calories and saturated fat. To avoid weight gain, Amidor recommends eating no more than 1 ounce (oz) of dark chocolate per day.

What happens if I don't eat chocolate for a week?

You may feel headaches.

Chocolate naturally contains caffeine. And for some people who are used to consuming caffeine regularly, giving it up suddenly can result in a headache. To help reduce the risk of experiencing headaches, make sure you are staying well-hydrated.

Is chocolate OK in moderation?

Since research hasn't identified the optimal amount of chocolate for heart health, eat it only in moderation: one or two small squares a day. But when you do, enjoy it all the more knowing you may be helping your heart. Just be sure to cut calories elsewhere to control weight.

What is the healthiest way to eat chocolate?

Go for a dark chocolate or a dark coconut milk chocolate if you're looking to maximize health benefits— it's not just a lower cacao content that makes a milk chocolate less good for you. The proteins in animal milk bind to the antioxidants in chocolate, making them unavailable for your body to use.

Can you eat chocolate and still be healthy?

Increases heart health: The antioxidants in dark chocolate have been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of clotting and increase blood circulation to the heart, thus lowering the risks of stroke, coronary heart disease and death from heart disease.

How can I eat chocolate without gaining weight?

The key to enjoying chocolates without putting on weight is the right timing of its consumption, hands down. The best bet is to have chocolate, in moderation, of course, during the first half of the day; so that your body can utilise the calories when its metabolism is at its fastest best.

What are the benefits of eating chocolate once a week?

Eating chocolate once a week may be linked to a healthier heart and lower risk of coronary artery disease, according to a new meta-analysis. Chocolate contains micronutrients like flavanols and polyphenols that can protect your heart by keeping veins and arteries healthy, research suggests.

What is the 80 20 rule diet?

The 80/20 rule is a guide for your everyday diet—eat nutritious foods 80 percent of the time and have a serving of your favorite treat with the other 20 percent. For the “80 percent” part of the plan, focus on drinking lots of water and eating nutritious foods that include: Whole grains. Fruits and vegetables.

What can I eat instead of chocolate?

Can you eat chocolate occasionally?

But you can eat chocolate, just in moderation and not too often. Try not to eat a lot in one go as it affects your blood sugar levels. If you snack on chocolate regularly it may start to increase your cholesterol levels and make it more difficult to manage your weight.

What if I stop eating sweets for a week?

Within a week you can expect lower blood pressure as well as healthier levels of fat and insulin levels in the bloodstream, he says. Of course, how your body reacts to the absence of sugar depends on how much of the white stuff you eat in the first place–and whether you're eating carbs.

Is a small amount of chocolate OK?

Experts say the recommended “dose” is approximately 1 to 2 ounces or 30-60g. Indulge in anything more than that, and you may be consuming too many calories. A 1.45-ounce (41 gram) Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Bar has 190 calories.

Is 100g of chocolate a week too much?

Summary: Eating up to 100 g of chocolate every day is linked to lowered heart disease and stroke risk. The calculations showed that compared with those who ate no chocolate higher intake was linked to an 11% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 25% lower risk of associated death.

What are the rules of the chocolate diet?

The Chocolate Diet is your basic meal replacement program. You'll replace two of your meals a day with chocolate shakes, have a couple of small snacks, one meal, and their “Chocolate Treat.” You're also encouraged to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day, and you can drink up to two cups of coffee or tea (but no milk).

What is the 3 bite rule?

Simply stated, The 3 Bite Rule is a strategy to enjoy your favorite “bad boyfriend” foods out of the house by taking three bites, and then stopping. Note: I find it works best if the portion is already small at the get-go, and if you have dining companions who are good sharers!

Will I gain weight if I have a cheat day once a week?

To gain a pound of fat, you would need to add about 500 calories a day on top of your normal diet, every day, for about 7 days. This makes gaining any significant amount of fat from even the craziest, all-out cheat days unlikely.

Can I have a piece of cake once a week?

So instead of swearing off ice cream, Girl Scout cookies, and doughnuts, she suggests digging into a treat once or twice a week. She says this shouldn't derail your progress as long as you keep your portions in check.