There is nothing more sweet, or delicious than the ultimate kids’ candy treat – chocolate. Due to the amazing properties found in cocoa, like flavanol, phenylethylamine, anandamide and caffeine, chocolate has been proven to have a positive effect on our brains, but also our bodies. However, when it comes to kids they can’t get enough chocolate! And like any other healthy food, parents need to factor in some obvious facts about chocolate, before they let kids munch down on these delicious dark cubes of delight. So, the question stands: How much chocolate is healthy for our kids?
Quality Is Always Ahead of Quantity
Not all chocolate types have the healthy benefits of cocoa. Even though all chocolate bars contain this ingredient, most store-bought chocolate has low cocoa content, but a high-level of milk and sugar. This saturation of dairy fat and bad sugar can lead to obesity, high-blood sugar, even diabetes, and other serious health problems. Therefore, parents should always look for dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content, both for their and their kids’ consumption. If consumed in moderate doses, chocolate can be beneficial for kids’ development.
Energizing the Growing Body
Cocoa is nature’s own energy-booster. Theobromine and caffeine found in chocolate, are both psychoactive chemical stimulants that improve the speed of neurotransmitters. This affects the way messages are being sent from the brain to our body, helping with the overall cognitive development, especially in kids. Taking a single quality chocolate cube in the morning, on its own or with fruit, can give kids enough energy to make it through to lunch, without the need for sugar, or a substantial breakfast.
Giving Kids a Stress-Free Day
The chemical benefits of cocoa supported by scientific research on chocolate, also show how chocolate is an amazing stress reliever. The chemical anandamide is a synaptic stimulant which sends the message of well-being to the brain. It triggers the release of dopamine – “the happy hormone”, which makes us feel pleasure and relaxation. This is very useful for kids, especially when you know they have a stressful day ahead of them, or when they come home feeling edgy and tense.
Keeping the Scale in Line
Chocolate has also been known to help with losing weight. By boosting metabolism, it speeds up the rate at which our body transfers fats and sugars into energy. Also, it detoxifies the body, relieving it of harmful materials. Professional chocolate producers at Chocolab, have also come up with nutritious high-quality personalized chocolate, which contains more vitamins and minerals a child’s body needs in order to grow. From vitamins like A1, B1, B2, C, and E, to minerals like magnesium, chocolate provides children’s bodies with the recommended amount of materials their bodies need to function, reducing cravings and high food intake.
Maintaining a Healthy Appetite
Because of the versatility of chocolate, incorporating, and even making it into an entire meal, can satisfy any growing-appetite. Dark chocolate with high cocoa percentage, contains one sixth of the recommended daily fiber intake. This means that healthy recipes containing chocolate can sustain a balanced diet. It also regulates the amount of fat entering the body, because chocolate contains natural fats that are burned more easily. A well-rounded meal centering on chocolate, relates a message to the brain telling it that, once the meal is done, you are full. Ultimately, this keeps your kids’ appetite steady, making them feel hungry only during meal time.
At the end of the day, it is important to remember that chocolate is a truly beneficial condiment that can help your kids develop. But like with any other food, you need to provide them with the right, quality product, and keep it moderate. Once you achieve this, kids can enjoy their favorite delicacy, and be healthy and strong individuals during the most crucial years of their development.
Tracey Clayton
Tinybeans Voices ContributorTracey Clayton is a full time mom of three girls. She feels she knows a thing or two about raising happy, healthy and confident kids, and offers helpful advice in hers parenting articles. She's also passionate about traveling, fashion and healthy living.
