Low-calorie chocolate options include sugar-free, reduced-sugar, and carob “chocolate.” Sugar alcohols like xylitol or sorbitol replace some or all of the sugar content in reduced-sugar or sugar-free products. Carob powder has more calories per ounce than cocoa powder. Some prefer portion control over low-calorie options.
Many dieters and individuals with sugar sensitivities yearn for a way to enjoy chocolate without absorbing the large number of calories it normally contains. Candy makers, aware of this craving for low-calorie chocolate, have come up with a few options that can allow calorie-conscious people to have their own chocolate and eat it too. The most common low-calorie chocolate options include sugar-free and reduced-sugar products, as well as carob “chocolate.” Many true chocolate lovers find, however, that the best low-calorie chocolate option is to simply enjoy their favorite treat in small portions.
Numerous candy manufacturers produce sugar-free or reduced-sugar versions of their regular chocolate treats. These manufacturers usually replace some or all of a product’s normal sugar content with a sugar-derived alcohol, such as xylitol or sorbitol. This sugar alcohol adds sweetness to a product while contributing fewer calories than those found in fully sugar-sweetened products. Many feel that these reduced-sugar or sugar-free products truly offer a rich, low-calorie chocolate option. On the flip side, however, consuming sugar in sugar can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, gas, and even diarrhea in some people.
Another popular low-calorie chocolate option isn’t made from chocolate at all, but rather from carob, a tree found in tropical climates that produces pods with qualities similar to those of the cacao plant. Like cocoa, the pods of the carob tree are turned into a powder which is then combined with other ingredients to create a chocolate-like bar. While carob products are often marketed as a healthy alternative to regular chocolate, it should be noted that carob powder actually contains more calories per ounce than cocoa powder. Therefore, calorie-conscious consumers may want to select low-sugar or carob-free products to ensure they are effectively limiting their calorie intake. Also, many feel that the taste and texture of carob products are not as satisfying as those of authentic chocolate ones.
Some dessert lovers find that the low-calorie chocolate options on the market simply don’t satisfy their chocolate cravings. These individuals often find that portion control is the best way to limit their calorie intake while getting their chocolate “fix.” In other words, these chocolate lovers choose to indulge in small, calorie-controlled portions of their favorite treats. Those who find it difficult to consume only a small portion of a chocolate treat may find it helpful to purchase products in snack-size portions.
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