So I bet the title of this is going to make you think this is about something other than what you thought. Sort of like the post I did titled, 'How Bad Do You Want It?' Can't imagine what people are thinking when they read that one.
Anyway...February pleasure for many, especially retailers of Food, is Chocolate. When I was a kid I learned that my Dad didn't like chocolate. I really thought there was something wrong with him, although he did like one chocolate thing, Chocolate Cream Pie, his favorite. So he was redeemed. But who doesn't like chocolate, really. It makes you feel good, and the side effects of the ingredients, have, as we have heard more of in recent years, actually are good for you! Who knew?! We here lots of talk about, 'flavinoids'. What are these things and why are they good for you and who knew, they were in chocolate, dark chocolate, more specifically. Well here are some good chocolate facts for you chocolate lovers. People tend to consume more chocolate in this month than any other and so to make sure we make the most out of stuffing our face, take some tips into consideration and remember, all in moderation.
Chocolate is made from cocoa. Cocoa comes from a plant. It is a rich source of health-protective phytochemicals, just like you'd get from fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Two tablespoons natural cocoa power (the kind used in baking) offers the same antioxidant power as 3/4 cup blueberries or 1.5 glasses red wine. (How about wine and chocolate?? Good combo I say)
Of all the types of chocolate, dark chocolate is the richest source of phytonutrients. Unfortunately, dark chocolate has a slightly bitter taste and most people prefer the sweeter milk chocolate. Maybe we should raise today's children on dark chocolate, so they will they learn to prefer it...?
One phytochemical in cocoa is nitrate. Nitrate gets converted into nitric oxide, a chemical known to increase blood flow. Nitric oxide lowers blood pressure, a good thing for aging athletes who want to stay youthful and invest in their health. Another group of phytochemicals are called flavonoids. They're in many plant foods, including tea, apples and onions. Epidemiological surveys of large groups of people indicate those who regularly consume chocolate consume more of these health-protective flavonoids than non-chocolate eaters. This reduces their risk of heart disease. In the Netherlands, elderly men who routinely ate chocolate-containing products reduced their risk of heart disease by 50% and their risk of dying from other causes by 47%. Cocoa increases blood flow to the brain. If this means you can process information better and faster-like, calculate your split times or help your kids with their math homework-wouldn't that be a great excuse to enjoy chocolate?! Many parents keep chocolate away from their children, thinking chocolate makes them hyper. No research to date supports that claim. The party or special event that surrounds the chocolate likely triggers the hyperactivity. I'd also look at what their eating that has food coloring in it, just a hint!
Chocolate is yummy! Most athletes love chocolate. Chocolate lovers don't want sugar-free or fat-free chocolate. They want the 100% real stuff! That's because consumers buy benefits, not products. Being yummy is a huge benefit! During the recession in 2009, sales of Hershey's chocolates increased. Is that because worried people bought a moment of yummy, cheer-me-up chocolate? Or, did they simply settle for a bag of less expensive Hershey's Kisses instead of a box of pricey Godiva Chocolates? Regardless, chocolate seems to fit every mood, be it happy, sad, tired or celebratory.
Flavanol-rich cocoa may help reduce muscle soreness. Studies
with athletes who performed muscle-damaging downhill running and then
consumed a cocoa-based carbohydrate and protein beverage experienced
less muscle damage and felt less muscle soreness. Although the chocolate used in flavoring milk lacks the
health-protectors found in dark chocolate, the yummy flavor makes
chocolate milk a popular recovery drink. The sweetened chocolate offers
carbs to refuel muscles; the milk offers protein to build and repair
muscle. If you can't do the 'dairy' milk products, try the dark chocolate Almond Milk as a substitute, it's delicious and has protein from the almonds too.
So if you are looking for a quick jump start to your workout or a treat/post recovery bonus food, chocolate looks like it could fill the bill and keep your spirits up for the following days punishing workout. If it makes you happy...why not! So this February, the 'love' month as I like to call it, share your love of chocolate. One of my favorite candy bar brands I found years ago, is a brand called ChocoLove. Amazing array of milk and dark chocolate options. Dark chocolate newbies, it has different percentages of cocoa, so you can try them out. I do have to say, they don't taste bitter to me at all, even the 75% cocoa. They are just rich and creamy and delicious. They also mix and match with things like almonds and sea salt, cherry, macadamia nuts to name a few, so pick your favorites and share the love this Valentine's Day and give them to your sweetheart. It will help their heart, and you get bonus points. If you need some help writing something 'mushy' too, there is a bonus inside the wrapper, love poems. Just in case you need a little help with words.
So Happy Valentine's to all you athletes...do your workouts and recover with some dark chocolate and share the love. We can never get enough!
Caroline / Triathleta
Chocolate is made from cocoa. Cocoa comes from a plant. It is a rich source of health-protective phytochemicals, just like you'd get from fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Two tablespoons natural cocoa power (the kind used in baking) offers the same antioxidant power as 3/4 cup blueberries or 1.5 glasses red wine. (How about wine and chocolate?? Good combo I say)
Of all the types of chocolate, dark chocolate is the richest source of phytonutrients. Unfortunately, dark chocolate has a slightly bitter taste and most people prefer the sweeter milk chocolate. Maybe we should raise today's children on dark chocolate, so they will they learn to prefer it...?
One phytochemical in cocoa is nitrate. Nitrate gets converted into nitric oxide, a chemical known to increase blood flow. Nitric oxide lowers blood pressure, a good thing for aging athletes who want to stay youthful and invest in their health. Another group of phytochemicals are called flavonoids. They're in many plant foods, including tea, apples and onions. Epidemiological surveys of large groups of people indicate those who regularly consume chocolate consume more of these health-protective flavonoids than non-chocolate eaters. This reduces their risk of heart disease. In the Netherlands, elderly men who routinely ate chocolate-containing products reduced their risk of heart disease by 50% and their risk of dying from other causes by 47%. Cocoa increases blood flow to the brain. If this means you can process information better and faster-like, calculate your split times or help your kids with their math homework-wouldn't that be a great excuse to enjoy chocolate?! Many parents keep chocolate away from their children, thinking chocolate makes them hyper. No research to date supports that claim. The party or special event that surrounds the chocolate likely triggers the hyperactivity. I'd also look at what their eating that has food coloring in it, just a hint!
Chocolate is yummy! Most athletes love chocolate. Chocolate lovers don't want sugar-free or fat-free chocolate. They want the 100% real stuff! That's because consumers buy benefits, not products. Being yummy is a huge benefit! During the recession in 2009, sales of Hershey's chocolates increased. Is that because worried people bought a moment of yummy, cheer-me-up chocolate? Or, did they simply settle for a bag of less expensive Hershey's Kisses instead of a box of pricey Godiva Chocolates? Regardless, chocolate seems to fit every mood, be it happy, sad, tired or celebratory.
So if you are looking for a quick jump start to your workout or a treat/post recovery bonus food, chocolate looks like it could fill the bill and keep your spirits up for the following days punishing workout. If it makes you happy...why not! So this February, the 'love' month as I like to call it, share your love of chocolate. One of my favorite candy bar brands I found years ago, is a brand called ChocoLove. Amazing array of milk and dark chocolate options. Dark chocolate newbies, it has different percentages of cocoa, so you can try them out. I do have to say, they don't taste bitter to me at all, even the 75% cocoa. They are just rich and creamy and delicious. They also mix and match with things like almonds and sea salt, cherry, macadamia nuts to name a few, so pick your favorites and share the love this Valentine's Day and give them to your sweetheart. It will help their heart, and you get bonus points. If you need some help writing something 'mushy' too, there is a bonus inside the wrapper, love poems. Just in case you need a little help with words.
So Happy Valentine's to all you athletes...do your workouts and recover with some dark chocolate and share the love. We can never get enough!
Caroline / Triathleta
No comments:
Post a Comment
What is your Greatest Inspiration? What keeps you moving forward? To Pay it Forward? To stay healthy? Share your Passion? Make your mark on the Sport of Triathlon?