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Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is a lower sugar, lower calorie alternative to milk chocolate – one filled with antioxidants and nutrients like fiber, iron, copper, and magnesium. When eaten in moderation, chocolate with a cacao content of 70 percent or higher can provide major health benefits.
According to health experts at Harvard School of Public Health: “Cocoa is rich in plant chemicals called flavanols that may help to protect the heart. Dark chocolate contains up to 2-3 times more flavanol-rich cocoa solids than milk chocolate. Flavanols have been shown to support the production of nitric oxide (NO) in the endolethium (the inner cell lining of blood vessels) that helps to relax the blood vessels and improve blood flow, thereby lowering blood pressure. Flavanols in chocolate can increase insulin sensitivity in short term studies; in the long run this could reduce risk of diabetes.”
Chia Pudding
It’s creamy, rich, delicious, and rich in fiber and protein-packed chia seeds — chia pudding is the sweet treat you should be adding to your dessert rotation. Try this chia pudding recipe, which requires just three ingredients:
Almond milk
Chia seeds
Honey
Cheese
Maybe you don’t have a sweet treat, but still want to enjoy a satisfying after-dinner dessert. Have a piece or two of cheese, rich in calcium and vitamin D. The lowest-calorie cheese types include feta, mozzarella, parmesan cheese, and Swiss cheese.
Almond Butter Cookies
Nut butters are a great source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. And these 3-ingredient almond butter cookies are so easy to make. Each cookie has just 63 calories, but keep in mind that sugar keeps them sweet, so eating them in moderation is key. You’ll need:
Almond butter
Raw sugar
1 egg
Cooking spray