Valentine’s day is finally here and you can bet a lot of people will be receiving flowers, loves notes and of course boxes of chocolate.
If you’re worried about eating too many sweet treats, we have some advice from Cleveland Clinic psychologist Doctor Susan Albers. “We have a lot of conflicted feelings about chocolate. On one hand we love it and crave it, but on the other hand we often experience a lot of guilt and concern about eating chocolate.”
Doctor Albers says the key to eating chocolate is to be mindful. She recommends eating it slowly and really trying to savor each bite. It’s also important not to overindulge which can be tempting.
Experts say you should eat no more than one ounce a day. dark chocolate has also been known to have some nutritional benefits. For example, it can help lower blood pressure and may increase dopamine and endorphins too, which can create a mood boosting effect.
If a box of chocolates isn’t your style, consider chocolate covered strawberries instead. Doctor Albers says they are full of antioxidants and vitamin C.
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