Dark Chocolate: A Super Food

Here is an absolutely delicious super food – dark chocolate!  Sometimes, even dessert can be healthy!

Why it’s a super food:

• Dark chocolate is chock full of flavonoids which are antioxidants that help improve blood flow, lower blood pressure and help neutralize free radicals in the body.
• Choose dark chocolate that is at least 70% cacao.
• About 1 ounce of dark chocolate is 150 calories, so be mindful of serving size.
• Dark chocolate also contains potassium, magnesium and iron.
• Dark chocolate may help increase HDL (good) cholesterol.

Here’s a great recipe with some dark chocolate:

Ingredients:

4 ounces dark chocolate

20-24 large strawberries

Directions: Wash and thoroughly dry strawberries.  Melt chocolate – microwave 30 seconds on medium and stir, repeat until melted.  Dip strawberries in melted chocolate, place on wax-paper covered tray, and refrigerate until chocolate sets.  Serves 4.

Image courtesy Grant Cochrane / freedigitalphotos.net