With all sorts of vices off the list while you are pregnant it seems criminal that chocolate at Easter could be a no-no too. How do you avoid the pull of the incessant chocolate cravings that came out of nowhere?
You have probably been made to feel guilty eating chocolate with the old adage that it is full of caffeine and thus bad for your baby. But, is it?
The good news is that there is no evidence that moderate amounts of caffeine, which certainly is in chocolate, are a problem for your pregnancy.
In fact, there have been reports over the years of chocolate being good for you and your baby:
- Research has found that regularly eating chocolate may reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia.
- Scientists at the University of Helsinki found, through a study with 300 pregnant women, that daily chocolate consumption had a positive impact on the baby’s behaviour: more smiling and laughing and less fear in new situations.
So Easter doesn’t have to be glum after all. However, as always, there is a catch – your consumption has to be “in moderation”.
You should know that eating a litter of chocolate bilby’s isn’t good for you. Advice is to have a “small” amount of chocolate with some confusing contradictions on how much that exactly is. Ask your doctor for advice to ease your conscience.
Also, the darker the chocolate the better it is for you and your baby. It has great health benefits by being rich in iron and flavonoids. By only eating high quality, dark chocolate you will avoid unhealthy stuff that is dense in fat, calories, sugar, and additives.
So, you don’t have to ignore those cravings which may be you’re your body telling you what it needs. Listen in and enjoy your Easter!