Chocolate is high in fat
Fifty-five percent of the calories in chocolate come from fat. In each 100 gram block of chocolate there are 30 grams of fat, or six teaspoons. This is important to consider when you're trying to lose weight or maintain your weight with a healthy, low-fat diet.

Dietitian Allan Borushek (the Calorie King!) says: "Just keep in mind that a 1.5 oz Hershey’s block of chocolate contains some 230 calories and 13 grams of fat."

Chocolate won't help your love life
Throughout history, chocolate has been considered an aphrodisiac. The ancient Aztec emperor, Montezuma, is said to have drunk a goblet of chocolate every night before entering his harem.

Despite this kind of association, researchers haven't been able to identify anything in chocolate that arouses romantic intentions. Although the chemical phenylethylamine which is found in chocolate does play a part in emotional arousal, scientists have been unable to prove that eating chocolate actually effects the levels of this chemical in the brain.

Moderation is, as always, the key. Indulge in small amounts of chocolate once in a while but don't go overboard.

However, some people find that moderation is all very well in theory but difficult to put into practice. The good news is there are some steps you can take to keep cravings at bay:


The four Ds
You may find that you use chocolate to fill an emotional need. If this sounds like you, try to implement the 'Four Ds' – a system used in smoking cessation programs to help smokers relieve the need for a cigarette, even when they're desperate:

• Delay for a few minutes and the urge will pass
• Drink water, sip it slowly
• Deep breathe by taking three slow breaths
• Do something else to take your mind off eating

Go dark!
Have just a few squares of dark chocolate instead of a large bar of milk chocolate. Some people find that dark chocolate is far more satisfying than milk chocolate, particularly those brands that have 70 per cent cocoa solids.

One CalorieKing.com member who suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome found that just two squares of 70% cocoa chocolate each afternoon gave her a welcome pick-me-up. Previously, she'd been eating at least a block, if not more, of milk chocolate to receive the same effects, which led to excessive weight gain.