What Came First, the Chocolate or the Depression?

From www.funnies.com:



Chocolate is a Vegetable


Chocolate is derived from cocoa beans. Bean = vegetable. Sugar is derived from either sugar cane or sugar beets. Both of them are plants, in the vegetable category. Thus, chocolate is a vegetable.


To go one step further, chocolate candy bars also contain milk, which is dairy. So candy bars are a health food. Chocolate-covered raisins, cherries, orange slices and strawberries all count as fruit, so eat as many as you want. Remember:"STRESSED" spelled backward is "DESSERTS"


The truth is that “real” chocolate – that contains a high percentage of cocoa butter – does have vegetable-like benefits. However, health headlines this week (see link to article below) suggest that our beloved chocolate may have a “dark” side that is not so funny. A recent study demonstrated that someone who eats more chocolate than someone else is more likely to be depressed. It is not clear if depression increases a desire for chocolate (seeking to feel better) or if eating chocolate increases the risk of depression. Research in the past has shown that chocolate can lower blood pressure, but information is lacking on how chocolate affects mood.


The study showed that depressed people ate almost 12 servings (a serving = 1 ounce, slightly less than a candy bar) of chocolate a month. People who were not depressed ate approximately 5 servings a month. The study looked at other foods consumed (fish, fruit, vegetables, coffee, and other caffeine sources) by the 931 adults and found no such relationship to depression.


A friend of mine recently shared with me a valuable tool that helps her make healthy choices in selecting food. It is called “Worst, Better, Best”. Given food options, whether it is at the grocery store, restaurant, or in your home, ask yourself what would be the worst choice that I could make in terms of the food’s health effect? What would be a better choice? And, finally, what would be the best possible selection?

That little conversation with yourself will lead to better food choices and lasting behavior change in your diet. I did it before I sat down to write this blog. My worst choice was my cherished chocolate covered pretzels. My better choice was not to eat anything – but I knew this would create hunger cravings later. My best choice was to snack on carrots, grapes, strawberries, and cheese. I am happy to report that, in this “instance”, I made the “best” choice!


Eat WELL!


Michael