HOUSTON, Feb 11, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Chocolate -- a Valentine's Day
favorite -- can be a healthful choice too, a U.S. expert says.
Sally Scroggs of the University of Texas M D. Anderson Cancer Center's Cancer
Prevention Center in Houston says chocolate is not only a symbol for love,
indulgence and temptation, but now can be justified for its health attributes
because cocoa products contain high levels of healthful antioxidants.
"Savoring a small amount of dark chocolate is much better than gulping soft
drinks or eating doughnuts," Scroggs says in a statement. "Remember, dark
chocolate is still a calorie-dense food that can be high in fat. You can enjoy
it daily as part of a balanced diet, as long as you keep your portion size in
check."
Scroggs advises buying chocolate that can be eaten in small portions, such as
individually wrapped chocolates or boxed candy with approximately 1 ounce per
serving. Recommended servings for dark chocolate are 7 ounces per week, which is
about 1 ounce per day.
Besides looking at portion size and calorie content, Scroggs advises checking
the ingredients.
"Make sure they don't contain fats, such as palm and coconut oils," she
says,"and they are made without the use of 'hydrogenated' or 'partially
hydrogenated' oils."
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Copyright 2009 by United Press International