How Can I Eat Less Chocolate? by Jane Thurnell-Read

As well as containing antioxidants, chocolate also contains potassium, magnesium and vitamins B1, B2, D and E.

But let's not fool ourselves, you can get all these benefits in other foods: you don't have to eat chocolate to get these important nutrients. There's nothing wrong though with chocolate in moderation.

Unfortunately many people find it difficult to eat chocolate in moderation. They find they crave chocolate; they're addicted to it. If you're one of these people, try taking a good zinc supplement. Many people find a regular intake of zinc, reduces their chocolate craving - you need to look for a zinc supplement that contains 10 mg to 15 mg of elemental zinc, and take one each day. We have a suitable one in our online shop and a tester to see if you are short of zinc.

Tea, coffee and alcohol interfere with the absorption of zinc, so make sure you leave a gap between taking your zinc supplement and drinking any of these.

Zinc is a vitally important nutrient, so taking it is likely to have other positive health benefits. Adequate levels of zinc are vital for the immune system, for general skin health, as well as for rapid healing of burns and wounds. Zinc is important for vision, and your senses of taste and smell. It has a role in fertility and prostate health.

Enjoying a small amount of chocolate with a high cocoa solid content as part of a normal diet is, for most people, perfectly acceptable, but do not let the chocolate replace more nutrient-dense foods like fruit, vegetables, seeds and nuts.

Also read the article on using affirmations to avoid snacking. Try our CD on weight loss too.