Let's Talk Chocolate

It's yet another rainy day (I can only imagine what April, a month with a reputation for having lots of "showers", is going to be like) and we all know how Kelly's mood is DIRECTLY related to the weather. Therefore I thought I'd talk today about something mood boosting: chocolate.

Chocolate has started to gain quite the good reputation the last few years as studies have shown that dark chocolate can lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol. Plus, it contains serotonin, which is a natural way to boost your mood (hence the post today!).

Whoa hoo- chocolate is healthy! Well, except I am really not a big fan of dark chocolate, and consuming a bag of mini eggs probably does not count as healthy, huh? Oops. Seriously though, just like I don't try to pretend I'm getting my calcium intake from ice cream (though I'm sure I am getting some), I don't really like to pretend eating chocolate is healthy for me. Sure, if it has some nutritional benefits, that's a bonus- but mainly for me it's just a treat :)

This week though, I've managed to incorporate some chocolate into meals/snacks that I do consider pretty healthy.

First, I made my first ever batch of overnight oats on Sunday night. I have been meaning to try these forever, but I had the fear that I would hate them and waste time and oatmeal. I went to the gym on Monday morning so I wanted to have a breakfast that would be quick to make and I could easily bring to work with me. That's when I thought of overnight oats. What could be quicker to make? And in a small tupperware container it's quite portable. In a container I put:

1/2 cup of oatmeal
1/2 cup of almond milk
1/2 of a frozen banana
1/4 tsp of Gharardelli unsweetened cocoa powder (you really don't need a lot!)

I put the top on the container and stored it in the fridge over night. In the morning, I literally did not have to do anything, I just grabbed it and went to work.

The results? DELICIOUS. Not too chocolately, but just the right amount of sweetness and chocolate for the morning. I was a little concerned that I would not stay full, but I added a few Cheerios on the side and I was fine. Next time I'd probably add a few almonds on top and be good. You will definitely be seeing more overnight oats in my future.

My second chocolate discovery was Oikos chocolate greek yogurt. I've been searching for this forever...

I was really impressed by the nutrition facts on this baby, including 110 calories, 0 grams of fat, 10 grams of protein and 10% of your daily calcium requirements. It does have 16 grams of sugar, but considering this is most likely a dessert, there is certainly worse when it comes to yogurt :)

I couldn't help but compare the nutrition information on this to another favorite dessert of mine, ZenSoy pudding:

I love the flavor with a mixture of Vanilla and Chocolate. This dessert has 10 more calories and 4 extra grams of sugar (basically an extra teaspoon). But, it also has slightly more calcium at 15% of your daily value instead of 10%. The MAJOR perk of the yogurt as opposed to the pudding is the increase in protein you get from the yogurt. The Oikos chocolate flavor has 10 grams of protein, and the pudding only has 3 grams. Also, according to Gina, the protein in greek yogurt is a slow protein which is absorbed slowly. Studies have shown this kind of protein provides your muscles with energy throughout the night to help repair and rebuild them while you sleep. Since I usually eat dessert within a few hours of going to bed, this is pretty important to me when choosing a dessert.

Oh, and by the way- the chocolate yogurt tastes pretty delicious too, but maybe not delicious enough for me to give up the zensoy pudding forever (or ice cream!).

If I am not even attempting to be healthy (or care about my stomach at all), I have lots of chocolate favorites:
-chocolate moose (anyone had chocolate moose cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory? heaven on earth)
-chocolate fudge
-chocolate truffles- my favorites are filled with vanilla or mint
-soft chocolate chip cookies
-brownies

I know it seems like I love all things chocolate, but I am not a fan of chocolate ice cream or chocolate cake at all!

What is your favorite "healthy" chocolate treat?
What about your favorite "we won't even pretend it's healthy" chocolate?