What to eat when you’re craving chocolate
Chocolate cravings can be strong and hard to ignore, but sometimes we might have a good reason not to eat chocolate. Maybe we are keeping an eye on calorie intake, or trying to maintain a healthy level of sugar intake within out diet. Whatever the reason is, there are alternatives to chocolate that satisfy what initially was considered a chocolate craving. You’ll find lots of options and ideas in this article.
Refreshing watermelon
1. Fresh fruit
There’s nothing like the natural sweetness of a piece of fresh fruit. From mangoes, watermelons, and strawberries, to bananas, cherries, and oranges, nature has an immense variety of flavours to offer, suitable for all tastes.
2. Baked fruit
Fruit is also delicious when baked. I recommend baking apples if you’re looking for a creamy texture and soft flavour, or peaches if you’re after a more intense and tangy treat.
3. Fruit sorbet
The third fruit related idea is making a fruit sorbet. It’s made by freezing fruit and then blending it together. This is a fun option because you can experiment with different flavour combinations to find the one you enjoy the most. Here are some options to consider:
Banana and strawberry
Mango and pineapple
Strawberry, blueberry and lime
Orange, pear and apple
4. Smoothie
Strawberry and banana smoothie
Creamy, sweet, refreshing, what’s not to like about a smoothie? Its flavour can vary a lot depending on the chosen ingredients, but it never gets boring precisely for that reason. If you haven’t tried a simple but delicious strawberry and banana smoothie yet, I really recommend you do!
5. Nuts
Moving away from the fruity options, a nutritious alternative to a chocolate snack is having some nuts. They are a healthy option when consumed in moderation, and they’re a unique source of minerals and antioxidants. You can choose between almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, peanuts, walnuts, pine nuts, macadamia nuts, and many more.
6. Yogurt with toppings
If you’re unsure about what to eat, you can combine a few of the suggestions on this list and put them all on top of a yogurt bowl, you won’t regret your decision. To give it a final touch, pour some honey over the toppings.
7. Frozen yogurt
Let’s say you like option number 6 but it’s a hot summer’s day, then switch your normal yogurt for some frozen yogurt instead. It’s generally healthier than ice cream, and it’s just as enjoyable.
8. Cereals
A bowl of cereals is quite filling, which makes it a good alternative to chocolate if the reason for your craving is that you’re feeling a bit peckish. They are a very popular choice , and proof of that is how many varieties can be found even in small local supermarkets. Here are a few to get you inspired:
Milk and cereal bowl
Wheat flakes or puffs
Corn flakes or puffs
Oatmeal
Oatflakes
Granola
Rice crisps
Puffed rice
Barley crisps
Multi-grain flakes or puffs
9. Muesli
Directly from Switzerland, muesli has become a popular kind of cereal that combines oats, dried fruits, nuts, seeds and grains. It’s a healthy snack that can be enjoyed with some yogurt or milk as a base. It’s also sometimes served with fresh fruit or honey on top.
Nutritious dates
10. Dates
If you’d like your snack to provide energy, be nutrient-rich, and contain antioxidant properties, dates might be your best bet. This fruit comes from the date palm tree, and has been cultivated for thousands of years. Dates have a caramel-like taste, they are widely consumed in many countries, and have numerous health benefits.
11. Energy bars
Energy bars are a great options if you’re not at home, as they can be easily be carried with you to the office, gym, on public transport, etc. Apart from being convenient, the other main benefit is how healthy these bars are. They are usually fortified with vitamins and minerals, and contain a variety of micronutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, iron, and magnesium.
12. Rice cakes
Low calorie, low fat, and gluten-free: These are some of the benefits of rice cakes. They are a versatile snack that can be enjoyed with a variety of additions. Rice cakes have a unique light, crunchy and airy texture, which offer a satisfying crunch when bitten into. In terms of flavour, they’re rather mild and neutral, but can be customised with topping and spreads.
Conclusion
Sometimes chocolate cravings can be satisfied with other snacks besides chocolate, and as you’ve seen in this article, there are many delicious and healthy options to choose from. Hopefully you liked some of these suggestions and next time you get chocolate cravings you can go for one of the also very tasty treats listed above.
