Do you find dark chocolate satisfies your cravings better than milk?

[Happy33]

Just something I've been pondering. If there's one thing I could cheat on it would definitely be chocolate. When I do I usually go for the creamy milk chocolate kinds, but yesterday for the first time in awhile I had a few squares of dark instead. I don't know if it's just in my head but I felt satisfied after a few pieces whereas I'm usually craving even MORE after a full bar of milk. I'm thinking all the sugar may be the culprit. Any thoughts?

[LunicaAshes]

Well, you are getting more cocoa in a smaller amount of food, so if your body is craving the cocoa, you actually get it in those few pieces more than you would from a bunch of milk chocolate that is mostly other ingredients. A lot of people suggest eating a bit of high quality dark chocolate for cravings. I just add cocoa powder into my smoothies.

[jbut66]

I eat one or two squares of intense dark chocolate (Ghirardelli) to satisy my cravings and it works for me. I think it satisfies the chocolate desire without kicking me into sugar cravings. It's weird - as soon as it hits my tongue, I slow down, relax, breathe in the smell :) Plus, real dark chocolate is actuall good for you!

[kjake55]

In a word...yes.

[FarrahS723]

Occasionally, I really enjoy just one or two squares to satisfy a sweet craving...and well, because I just really like dark chocolate. Endangered Species, Green & Black, Taza, and occasionally Lindt chili are some of my favs. :)

[Echo2k3]

Yep.
I find 2-3 squares satisfies my craving. Where as milk chocolate, I could eat the whole block!
I think its also the slight bitterness of dark chocolate that helps me.

[kitopolis174]

I think it's something to do with it being a stronger taste - you need less of it to get that chocolate pleasure, plus it's such a strong flavour that you can't eat loads of it. I would opt for as high a cocoa content as possible. It means less sugar and added fats, more antioxidents and less of a likelihood of you over indulging on it. I can vouch for this - I bought a 100g dark chocolate bar with cherries yesterday (Green & Blacks), and had eaten 2/3 of it by yesterday afternoon and polished the rest off for my breakfast. The problem? It was only 60% cocoa and had added sugar from the fruit. Defs aim for at least 70% cocoa, 85% if you can.
I personally like ones with ginger added, but have a mint one to try next. So if you don't like plain and simple, then try ones with added flavours, like orange, chilli, sea salt, mint, or even geranium, and still high cocoa. If you can get it, we have a brand called Montezuma, in the UK, which are very good.

[gwnorth]

Same thing happens to me. If I eat milk chocolate I just want more, but with the darker chocolate (I don't like the really dark chocolate, I find it really bitter. I stick to 60%), I'm satisfied with less. For me it's definately an issue of sweetness. The sweeter it is, the more I want.

[Happy33]

Thanks, all really great points! Going forward I'm going to go for dark only...and individually wrapped because I find that makes me 'slow down'. Anyone else have any favourite kinds of dark? I always see the Green & Black brand in the grocery store..I'll definitely have to try that one

[heidismommy]

Thanks, all really great points! Going forward I'm going to go for dark only...and individually wrapped because I find that makes me 'slow down'. Anyone else have any favourite kinds of dark? I always see the Green & Black brand in the grocery store..I'll definitely have to try that one

I haven't tried that brand, but I love Lindt, that is, by far, my favorite.

[Freak17]

I'm not really a fan of dark chocolate. I LOVE cocoa though! I mix it with greek yogurt, milk, tea, and even chocolate protein powder to make it 'real' chocolatly!

[Happy33]

Back when I had taken all refined sugar out of my diet, cocoa would definitely satisfy my chocolate cravings! I would throw a TBSP in my protein shake or make hot chocolate with cocoa and splenda. Now however, I've gotten that sweet tooth back and since I'm bulking I haven't felt the need to reprogram myself to not crave sugar. Although getting to that point (of not craving sugar and better yet not WANTING those treats when they're offered to you) is an awesome feeling!

[Freak17]

Back when I had taken all refined sugar out of my diet, cocoa would definitely satisfy my chocolate cravings! I would throw a TBSP in my protein shake or make hot chocolate with cocoa and splenda. Now however, I've gotten that sweet tooth back and since I'm bulking I haven't felt the need to reprogram myself to not crave sugar. Although getting to that point (of not craving sugar and better yet not WANTING those treats when they're offered to you) is an awesome feeling!

Funny because I have great tendency to be a sugar-addict. And for me it's been so long I haven't had a candy bar and I just never crave them anymore. I had some dessert last week in a family gathering and it tasted kinda artificial! (although I enjoyed it) Right now I find natural cocoa more chocolaty and 'real' than candies.

[Happy33]

Funny because I have great tendency to be a sugar-addict. And for me it's been so long I haven't had a candy bar and I just never crave them anymore. I had some dessert last week in a family gathering and it tasted kinda artificial! (although I enjoyed it) Right now I find natural cocoa more chocolaty and 'real' than candies.

For sure! I remember at one point being satisfied with an apple when I had sugar cravings! For me that just wasn't a healthy lifestyle though...I NEVER ate anything with an ounce of sugar or fat. And just didn't eat enough. But at the same time it was nice not to crave bad things for once

[1004]

Personally i don't really like milk chocolate as much as i like dark or white. I Feel like most milk chocolate is to dull and you can eat more because it's not really as satisfying or flavorful. If you eat dark or white chocolate it kind of has a bit of a different taste and doesn't seem as boring so you savor it more.