How to Eat Less Chocolate

Chocolate contains important minerals, such as potassium and magnesium. It also contains vitamins B1, B2, D and E. It even contains antioxidants, subtsances that protect against cancer and old age. But let's not fool ourselves, you can get all these benefits in other foods: you don't have to eat chocolate to get these important nutrients.

There's nothing wrong though with chocolate in moderation, but the key phrase here is 'in moderation', because unfortunately many people find it difficult to eat chocolate in moderation. If you're one of these people, try taking a good zinc supplement. Many people find a regular intake of zinc, reduces their chocolate craving - you need to look for a zinc supplement that contains 10 mg to 15 mg of elemental zinc, and take one each day. Tea, coffee and alcohol interfere with the absorption of zinc, so make sure you leave a gap between taking your zinc supplement and drinking any of these.

Zinc is a vitally important nutrient, so taking it is likely to have other positive health benefits. Adequate levels of zinc are vital for the immune system, for general skin health, as well as for rapid healing of burns and wounds. Zinc is important for vision, and your senses of taste and smell. It has a role in fertility and prostate health.

Enjoying a small amount of chocolate with a high cocoa solid content ( preferably 65% or more) as part of a normal diet is, for most people, perfectly acceptable, but do not let the chocolate replace more nutrient-dense foods like fruit, vegetables, seeds and nuts.

Jane Thurnell-Read is an author and researcher on health, allergies and stress. She has written two books for the general public: "Allergy A to Z" and "Health Kinesiology. She also maintains a web site http://www.healthandgoodness.com with tips, inspiration and information for everyone who wants to live a happier, healthier life.