Valentine’s Week is here and what better Topic to Focus on than our love for CHOCOLATE!

Valentine’s Day Facts:
The average consumer spends $116.
The average number of children conceived is 11,000.
180 million cards are exchanged.
2.2 billion is spent at jewelry stores.
The average number of roses produced is 196 million.
The top things that money is spent on are candy, flowers, cards and dining out.

Approximately 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold for Valentine’s Day. Considering that the typical American consumes nearly 12 pounds of chocolate a year, the TYPE of chocolate can have a significant impact on your health.

So what is all of the talk about milk chocolate vs dark chocolate?

First of all, we know that watching our sugar intake is essential; especially in
times where 1 in 10 Americans has been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.
Fact. Milk chocolate has more sugar – in turn more carbs and more calories
than dark chocolate. 100g of milk chocolate has a an average of 52g of sugar,
compared to the same amount of 78% dark chocolate which has 18g of sugar.
The sugar content in chocolate varies widely among brands.
Do you know what your limit for daily added sugar should be?

For what other reason would you want to choose the dark (70% cocoa or
higher)? Here is the deal…

• One square of dark chocolate a day can lower blood pressure and
reduced risk of heart attack and stroke by 39%. Most of the credit goes
to flavonoids, antioxidant compounds that increase the flexibility of
veins and arteries.
• It is good for your brain, has chemical compounds that positively
influence your mood and improves blood flow.
• It helps keep blood vessels healthy and is low on the glycemic index
helping to control blood sugar.
• It is loaded with antioxidants helping to ward off damage from free
radicals. (Over time, free radical exposure in the body can lead to
chronic health problems).
• Dark chocolate is loaded with vitamins and minerals like potassium,
copper, magnesium and iron.
Note: Keep an eye out for good, sustainable fair trade chocolate

For more on some healthy chocolate recipes that you can prepare in 10 minutes
and additional dietary tips, reach out to [email protected]

Lindsey is an influential professional with 14 years of experience in esteemed leadership roles within the wellness industry. She is a devoted mom, wife, and friend with a strong Christian faith who strengths lie in relationship development, balanced living and giving back to her community. She is profoundly knowledgeable in human physiology, nutrition, lifestyle disease, stress management and successful work-life integration.

Lindsey has an innate ability to easily connect with her clients and provide customized programming to achieve established goals. She has built her business based on an exceptional knowledge of interpersonal connections and integrated health solutions for her clients. She has taken her experience and knowledge to the next level to effectively collaborate on marketing solutions for her clients and companies in the wellness industry.

Lindsey currently offers speaking engagements, workshops, accountability programming, and one-on-one coaching.

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