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Release Number: 15-08
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Date: January 31, 2008
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Contact: Kevin Robinson, Media Relations
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Tel.: (804) 734–8773
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E–mail:
kevin.robinson@deca.mil
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Dip into dark chocolate with love for health
By
Maj. Karen E. Fauber
DeCA dietitian
FORT LEE, Va. – Flowers, candles, a romantic dinner for two and dark chocolate: It must be Valentine's Day. Those three little words, "I love you," mean so much more when you add some dark chocolate to show how much you really care. Eating chocolate has been found to trigger feelings similar to "falling in love." Also, to help ease the guilt of giving it as a gift, growing evidence demonstrates that blood pressure can be lowered by eating as little as 1 1/2 ounces of dark chocolate a day. This equals to about two small pieces of dark chocolate each day.
Why choose dark chocolate? Dark chocolate contains flavonoids, which are also found in red wine, berries and tea. Dark chocolate has almost four times as many flavonoids as milk chocolate and white chocolate has none. Flavonoids in dark chocolate help your heart by keeping your blood vessels relaxed and protecting against heart disease.
Where can you find this sweet treat? Try your local commissary, and check out the savings of 30 percent or more.
Look for dark chocolate with at least 60 percent cocoa content. Very dark chocolate may be somewhat bitter so you may have to try different ones to find one you like.
For a delicious dip into dark chocolate, try the following recipes:
Chocolate dipped fruit and pretzels
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Ingredients
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Fresh strawberries, bananas, apples, or grapes
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Pretzels
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½ cup orange juice
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Dark baking chocolate
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Direction
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Melt several chunks of dark chocolate in the microwave for 60 to 90 seconds in a bowl.
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Slice apples and dip in orange juice.
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Dip clean strawberries, chunks of bananas, apples or pretzels in the melted chocolate and let dry on wax paper.
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Serve
Trail Mix
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Ingredients
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½ cup dark chocolate chips
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1 cup almonds
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1 cup dried cranberries
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Direction
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Mix the dark chocolate chips, almonds and cranberries together in a small plastic container for a snack between meals.
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Serve
To add that special touch, a little dark chocolate may increase the feelings of love and help control blood pressure. Chocolate is high in fat and calories. As with most foods, portion control is the key to getting the health benefit of dark chocolate without adding too many calories.
See you in the commissary!
Visit
Kay’s Kitchen
for more recipes and for more information on nutrition to to
DeCA Dietitian
.
About DeCA: The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Authorized patrons purchase items at cost plus a 5–percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commissaries and modernizing existing ones. Shoppers save an average of more than 30 percent on their purchases compared to commercial prices – savings worth about $3,000 annually for a family of four. A core military family support element, and a valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America's military and their families, and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country.
