Foodie Friday-Choosing Guilt Free Chocolate for the Busy Woman

The Problem

        How many times have we found ourselves standing in front of shelves of chocolate bars wondering which one will do the least damage to our figure? We want chocolate! Nothing else is quite going to hit the spot but we don’t have time to read all the small print on the back of the packets. There are diets that count points, those that count fat and others that count sugar. We want to have our guilt free treat but which one is better than the others?
        There are other considerations. For example home brand chocolate will have more fat and sugar than a quality named chocolate. Dark chocolate has more health benefits and adding nuts increases the health benefits. There is also personal choice. Many people prefer milk chocolate over dark chocolate and some people hate nuts in chocolate! If it is smaller does that mean that it is better or that it has less fat and sugar? So I have done some research and can save you the time and hassle of trying to work out which chocolate bar to choose.

So many choices!

The Solution

        A two finger Kitkat has a mere 435 kj and a Milkyway has 465 kj. If you are concerned that this sounds or looks like a lot, you might like to compare these to some other favourites, including a Mars Bar (1010 kj) and a Snickers (1230 kj). The following table is based on the average size chocolate bar and not a king size or double pack. You can cut out the following list and keep it in your purse.

Popular Chocolate Bars from Least to Most Kilojoules

1. Kitkat – 2 fingers 435 kj
2. Milkyway bar 465kj
3. Toblerone 35g 775kj
4. Honey nougat log 812kj
5. Picnic bar 820kj
6. Carmelo koala 823kj
7. Cherry ripe 846kj
8. 4 squares of 85% Lindt chocolate 883kj
9. Freddo frog large 885kj
10. Time out 890kj
11. Kitkat 4 fingers 980kj
12. Mars bar 1010kj
13. Crunchie 1015kj
14. Snickers 1230kj
15. Boost 1310kj

The Bigger Picture

        Before you beat yourself up about having a chocolate bar, you may want to consider this choice in a bigger context. If you only have one chocolate bar a week, choose whatever you fancy. Just make sure that it is the regular size and not the ‘King’ size. However, if you have a chocolate bar every day or so, you may want to consider choosing the ones with less fat and sugar.

And Finally...

        Having bought the chocolate bar, whatever size and content, take the time to sit and savour every mouthful. Enjoy a total lack of self-judgement and utter bliss. If you find that you only want to eat a portion of it and save some for later, do so. Once you stop beating yourself up about having some chocolate you may find that you actually want less!

Warmest Wishes,
                Sarah