The Cravings Quiz – Which Sweet Is The Healthier Treat?

Clients ask me all the time what they should eat when their cravings kick in and they are looking for something sweet or when they just feel like they need an energy boost. Here are a few typical sweet snacks that you may be tempted to reach for, but which do you think is the healthier choice?

Dark Chocolate bar or Chocolate brownie?

My vote – Dark Chocolate bar

Why? You have probably heard that dark chocolate has health benefits, but you may not know exactly what those benefits are. Studies are linking chocolate to preventing blood clots, improving how your body uses insulin, lowering blood pressure, reducing inflammation and lowering cholesterol levels, specifically the LDL cholesterol.

But not just any dark chocolate covered sugary treat will do. An ounce of dark chocolate can have up to 170 calories, but with brownies, they can have over 400 calories, such as Starbuck’s Double Chocolate Brownie, with 410 calories, 30 grams of sugar (picture 6 teaspoons of sugar) and nearly 40% of your daily total fat.

Bottom line – don’t just settle for any chocolate covered treat. Be picky about your chocolate.

Enjoy an ounce of dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa a few times a week.

Muffin Vs Doughnut?

My Vote – Neither!

Why? Muffins have the illusion of being a healthy food, but you know what I call muffins? Cupcakes in disguise. There’s nothing wrong with having a muffin once in a while, but just don’t think it is a health food. Just because they have a few grains tossed on them or they have names like “blueberry bran muffin”, doesn’t make them healthy. A muffin from a café typically has approximately 55 – 60 grams of carbohydrate, which is like eating 12 packs of sugar.

How does this muffin compare to a doughnut?

Well, let’s compare Tim Horton’s Whole Grain Raspberry Muffin to one of their doughnuts. You would think that the whole grain muffin would be the healthier choice, right? I did…until I checked. With almost double the calories as old fashioned doughnut, 30% more fat, and triple the sugar, unbelievably, the doughnut is actually the better choice – when comparing fat, calories and sugar. (when I started writing this post, I didn’t expect this to be the outcome!)

Bottom Line – Should you start eating doughnuts? Of course not! But maybe cut back on muffins.

Pop Vs Organic Soda

My Vote – water (or soda water) with fresh sliced cucumbers or frozen raspberries

Why?

It’s refreshing, calorie free and something different to just having water. Plus some of the nutrients will seep into the water, giving it a little nutritional boost.

Whether you have pop or organic soda, they typically have the same amount of sugar – 8 tsp.

Bottom Line – When it comes to soda, being organic doesn’t make it healthy, it just makes it expensive.

 What do you think? Did you know the muffin had more calories than the doughnut?