You no longer have to feel guilty about eating cookies – as long as they are healthy chocolate cookies. Many of us crave a snack during the day, and now you can indulge in something decadent and healthy by choosing cookies made with nutritious ingredients, including chocolate.
We all wish for delicious chocolate cookies that do not resemble a crumbly, dry paste. Science shows that cacao beans are rich in fiber and antioxidants. Cacao beans can yield chocolate with numerous health benefits when processed healthily, unlike the highly processed chocolate found in most candy bars.
Healthy chocolate cookies can provide antioxidants, fiber, flavonoids from chocolate, and nutrients from ingredients like oats, whole wheat, and bran flakes. Natural sweeteners can enhance the cookie’s flavor while preserving its health benefits.
These cookies can also serve as an energy-boosting snack. Healthy chocolate contains dopamine, phenylethylamine, and serotonin, three neurotransmitters contributing to euphoria and well-being.
One of the best things about healthy chocolate cookies is that they can aid in weight loss, so you do not have to feel guilty about compromising your diet. Healthy chocolate contains appetite suppressants and is sometimes included in weight loss products to help control hunger.
While chocolate does contain fats, they are healthy fats, similar to those found in avocados. The fats in cacao beans are also present in olive oil, which helps raise HDL cholesterol {good cholesterol}. Cookies made with dark or healthy chocolate can help reduce the risk of diseases associated with high cholesterol.
Despite our love for chocolate, many have never tasted real, healthy chocolate – only the processed kind in popular candies. You can purchase crushed cacao beans {nibs} and add them to any dessert that calls for chocolate. These nibs, the original “chocolate chips,” can make healthy chocolate cookies with real chocolate chips.
We are still uncovering the health benefits of eating healthy, unprocessed chocolate rather than typical candy bars. Chocolate is one of the most complex and misunderstood foods. So, next time you crave a snack, reach for healthy chocolate cookies.