Keto-Friendly MINDANAO Raw Dark Chocolate 250G - FREE SHIPPING + CASH ON DELIVERY

Cacao is a top source of antioxidants packed with a full, unadulterated taste. It has a more bitter taste than milk chocolate, but the health benefits of cacao make switching out unhealthy chocolate for cacao nibs, powder and desserts totally worth it.

Cacao comes from the fruit of the Theobroma cacao tree. Its high antioxidant and nutrient level makes it a healthy choice to incorporate into your daily diet. Here are the reasons you should eat raw cacao everyday:

Cocoa contains many active components [2, 3, 4]:

• Polyphenols – antioxidant compounds that protect against bacteria and UV rays. The most abundant polyphenols in cocoa are flavonoids, catechins, and epicatechins.
• Theobromine – a plant-derived compound with potential benefits to heart, respiratory, and mouth health.
• Minerals – the most abundant ones are magnesium, copper, and iron, all of which are important in overall health and body function.

HOW TO INCORPORATE CACAO INTO YOUR DIET

If you have never eaten cacao before, be prepared for a taste that you may find bitter. You might prefer to work your way up by gradually increasing the percentage of cacao you consume. Your palate will adjust quickly and thank you for it.

Always check that you are buying unsweetened powder instead of cocoa mixes with sugar. A higher fat percentage is better too, as it adds flavor and is more satisfying so you’ll consume fewer calories overall. Also keep an eye out for fair trade labels, so you know the workers who harvested the cacao were paid fairly.

Now, here are 7 ways to reap the health benefits of cacao!

• Smoothies: Make a delicious chocolate smoothie by adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of raw cacao powder. You can use cacao nibs on top of your smoothie to add a crunch to your treat. Try nibs out on assorted goodies such as ice cream, granola mix, or muffins.
  
  
• Raw brownies: Raw brownies are great for vegan and paleo lifestyles since the brownies are free of dairy, sugar, wheat and gluten. No baking is needed, but depending on the recipe, you might want ingredients such as pecans, unsweetened coconut flakes, dates and honey.
  
  
• Baked goods: Cacao powder is also great for use in biscotti, chocolate strawberry shortcakes, pudding, cookies and cakes. You can even use this powder in paleo chocolate zucchini bread.
  
  
• Cacao bar: Enjoy a bar or a few squares of good old raw organic chocolate. You can enjoy this treat with your favorite tea and a handful of nuts or fruit.
  
  
• Chocolate milk: Use almond milk, as research indicates it is possible that cow’s milk lessens the effectiveness of calcium and the other qualities of cacao. You will need 1 tablespoon of cacao powder, 1 to 2 tablespoons of organic sweetener and 1 cup of milk. If you like your beverages cold, let the cacao powder and sweetener dissolve first in 1 tablespoon of hot milk. After that, add ice cubes and cold milk.
  
  
• Hot chocolate: If you prefer hot beverages, use the above recipe, but heat your milk mixture over the stove to warm it up.
  
  
• Snack bars: You really only need four ingredients for delicious snack bars, and one of the ingredients can be cacao powder, with another being cacao nibs. Cashews and dates round out the recipe.

CAN YOU ENJOY DARK CHOCOLATE ON A KETO DIET? 

Depending on your daily carb limit, you may be able to enjoy high quality dark chocolate in moderation.

A standard ketogenic diet typically entails restricting your carb intake to only 5% of your daily calorie intake (11Trusted Source).

For instance, on a 2,000-calorie diet, you would limit your carb intake to about 25 grams of carbs per day.

This means that 1 ounce (28 grams) of high quality dark chocolate would contribute to approximately 40% of your total daily carb allotment (8Trusted Source).

Whether dark chocolate fits into a keto diet largely depends on what else you consume throughout the day.

If you want to enjoy dark chocolate on a keto diet, consider restricting other high carb foods to ensure you don’t exceed your daily carb limit.

Also, it’s important to choose high quality dark chocolate that contains at least 70% cocoa solids.

Dark chocolate with less than 70% cocoa likely contains a higher carb content and may be difficult to fit in without exceeding your carb allotment.

Ultimately, portion control is key. While 1 ounce (28 grams) of high quality dark chocolate can fit into a keto diet, a larger serving will likely exceed your limit.