There are many reasons you might choose to switch to sugar-free chocolate (a.k.a no-added-sugar-chocolate flavourings that contain naturally-occurring sugars only).
Whether you’re diabetic or wanting to kickstart a healthier lifestyle, opting for sugar free chocolate can be a great way to help you reach your health goals without sacrificing all your favourite treats.
But wait, isn’t sugar-free chocolate a crumbly, tasteless, poor imitation of the real thing? Is it really a healthier option than regular chocolate? Here’s why we think you should give our sugar free chocolates a try (and why we think you’ll fall in love with them!)...
1. Lose Weight as Part of a Calorie-Controlled Diet
Reducing or cutting out sugar is a popular way to control the number of calories and carbohydrates that are consumed. Many people eat too many fats and sugars. When this kind of diet is combined with a lack of activity — the UK population is 20% less active than it was in the 1960s — obesity and the risk of associated health conditions increase. The latest NHS figures show that over half of us are overweight or clinically obese.
Men need around 2,500 calories per day and women should aim for approximately 2,000 to maintain a healthy weight. The exact number of calories will vary between individuals but these figures provide a rough guide. To lose weight, you may need to consume even fewer calories (it is always advisable to consult your GP before starting a weight loss programme because they can help you set realistic and safe goals). Swapping regular, sugar-filled chocolates for sugar-free versions can help you to reduce your daily calorie intake. This one substitution alone won’t see you shedding the pounds, but as part of a calorie-controlled diet, it can help you to achieve your weight loss goals without the misery of skipping chocolate altogether!
2. Manage Health Conditions Such as Diabetes
People with diabetes or a sugar intolerance, have to cut or significantly reduce their sugar intake to avoid the negative effects of consuming it. Diabetics are unable to process sugar effectively. If they eat too much of it, they will experience a spike in their blood sugar level which can result in unpleasant symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, nausea, and stomach pain. Long term, excessive sugar intake can lead to tooth decay, hormone changes and various chronic illnesses. People with all kinds of health conditions may be advised to reduce their sugar intake. But this doesn’t have to mean a joyless chocolate-free existence!
Most high-quality sugar-free chocolate is sweetened with a substance called maltitol, instead of sucrose (regular sugar). The body does not digest maltitol completely, resulting in a slower rise in blood sugar and insulin levels compared to sucrose and glucose. Unlike other sugar replacements sometimes used in sugar-free chocolate, such as sorbitol and aspartame, maltitol does not have a bitter taste nor such an unpleasant laxative effect. So, people with diabetes and other health conditions who respond well to a low or no-sugar diet can enjoy chocolate as part of a healthy diet.
Protect Your Teeth and Gums
We all know that sugar, if consumed in excessive quantities, can destroy our teeth. Foods containing sugar combine with the saliva and bacteria that are present in our mouths to create plaque. If plaque is left undisturbed on our teeth it can dissolve the enamel coating, resulting in cavities — and painful, expensive trips to the dentist! Of course, regular and effective teeth brushing can remove plaque and ensure that our teeth stay healthy. Consuming less sugar in the first place will also protect your teeth.
Sugar can also cause gum disease, which besides being painful and unsightly, if left untreated can lead to serious health issues such as periodontitis — a severe gum infection that can trigger further health complications.
Sugar-free chocolate poses less of a risk to your teeth and gums if consumed in moderation.
3. High-Quality Sugar Free Chocolate Tastes Amazing!
When “sugar-free” and “diabetic” chocolates first appeared on the market, they were quite a disappointment. Cheap tasting, bitter and crumbly chocolate that often caused unpleasant side effects, didn’t feel like much of a treat to those who tried it.
Mercifully, things have moved on since then. There are still plenty of cheap and cheerful sugar-free chocolates that will make you wish you hadn’t bothered. But if you take the time to seek out high-quality, handcrafted products, you’ll be rewarded with delicious, smooth and irresistible chocolates that are indiscernible from the “real” thing — perhaps even better! You’re also less likely to binge handcrafted chocolates that taste rich and luxurious. A few squares will feel like a real treat, making it more likely that you’ll stick to a healthy, balanced diet in which chocolate is an occasional, heavenly indulgence, rather than a sugar obsession.
Our sugar-free chocolates (a.k.a no-added-sugar-chocolate flavourings that contain naturally occurring sugars only) are made using luxury Belgian chocolate and sweetened with maltitol, which means that you can enjoy all of the flavours you love without the discomfort that sucrose-filled chocolate can trigger.
At the Pod Chocolates, we only produce high-quality, handcrafted chocolates made from ethically sourced ingredients. Shop online today for mouthwatering sugar-free chocolates.