A little bit of chocolate can be an excellent treat. Make these Paleo chocolate-covered berry cups for a healthier version than you’ll find on the shelf.
Is Chocolate Paleo?
The answer, not unlike your hands after eating chocolate on a hot day, is a little sticky. It depends.
Most chocolate you’re familiar with would not be considered Paleo. That’s because in addition to the healthy chocolate with its antioxidants and polyphenols, there’s a heck of a lot of sugar.
There are also other undesirable characters in there such as vegetable oils, corn syrup, and pasteurized and homogenized milk.
That being said, there are some options out there that would be better for the Paleo-minded among us.
High-quality dark chocolate can be Paleo. It contains less sugar (but still has some), which is a plus. The higher the percentage, the lower the sugar.
You can make sure your chocolate doesn’t contain other suspect ingredients by simply checking the label.
This article goes into more detail about why chocolate is just fine for most people on Paleo.
Variations on This Recipe
I love berries and chocolate together. To me, they’re the perfect match.
But it is easy to substitute other Paleo snacks if you’d like to try something different.
Nuts, or nut butter, is probably the most popular alternative. While peanut butter isn’t Paleo, almond or cashew butter would be a fine substitute.
Or you could use chopped up nuts (just not peanuts).
Raisins or other dried fruit are another option. And yes, it’s OK to eat them in moderation.
This recipe only makes two berry cups, so another variation would be to make a larger batch. Be careful with this, however, if you tend to overeat sweets.
It might be a better strategy to make them two at a time so you’re less likely to overdo it.
Better Ways to Deal with Stress
Following a Paleo diet is a great move for your health and well-being. But there are other things you can do to improve your health, and reducing your stress is a big one.
Instead of reaching for chocolate when you’re stressed, try taking time to relax. Like, really relax, with no phone or email. Just because you’re working on the couch doesn’t mean you’re relaxing!
Make sure you give yourself opportunities to move. You don’t need to run a marathon, but incorporating exercise into your day will make you feel better. It can be as simple as taking a walk or using the stairs.
Possibly the most fun suggestion is to take a vacation! Nothing helps you recharge like some true R&R. For best results, unplug as much as possible.
We’ve paleo-fied Reese’s and even added some nutrition.
Ingredients
1 oz (30g) 70% chocolate (or use 100% chocolate for a sugar-free treat)
5 raspberries
15 blueberries
1 teaspoon (5 ml) of nut butter (optional, for drizzling)
Instructions
Start by melting the chocolate. You can do this in the microwave (usually 1.5-2 minutes) or using a bowl over some hot water.
This recipe makes 2 chocolate cups, so get 2 paper muffin liners and divide most of the melted chocolate between them. Save just a tad to cover the berries on top.
Place the cups into the freezer for 10 minutes until fudge-like. Then top with the berries and press into the chocolate. Pour the rest of the chocolate (which you might need to melt again) over the berries.
Place back into the freezer and freeze for 2+ hours.
Drizzle the nut butter over the top of the berries and chocolate. (Optional) (If you want to make a 12-cup batch, multiply this recipe by 6).
Defrost for 10-15 minutes before enjoying.
Notes
All nutritional data are estimated and based on per serving amounts.
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