Be chocolate aware this Christmas

Dark chocolate contains less calories than milk chocolate.

False! Both dark and milk chocolate contain roughly the same amount of calories per 100g, which is about 550kcals.

Chocolate gives you acne.

False! There is no evidence to support this claim.  Although some people feel that they are more sensitive to chocolate and this is reflected in their skin health so they prefer to avoid it.

Migraines are caused by chocolate.

False! Chocolate does contain small amounts of tyramine and phenylethylamine, amino acids from the protein in chocolate, both of which can trigger a migraine. However there is no evidence to suggest that chocolate alone can cause them but perhaps as part of a number of triggers.

Chocolate makes you fat.

True and false! It all depends on quantity consumed. If you were to eat a large chocolate bar every day on top of your usual daily intake then this could contribute to too many calories and therefore lead to some weight gain. However as part of a healthy and balanced diet and if you exercise within government recommendations for good health (30 minutes moderate intensity five days per week), chocolate as a treat will not make you fat!

You can't eat chocolate if you have diabetes.

False! The myth behind avoiding chocolate if you have diabetes is well out of date. Yes it contains carbohydrates which when broken down into glucose will raise your blood glucose levels. However if you have good control of your blood glucose and are not consuming too many carbohydrates in one sitting, there is no reason why you can't have chocolate as a treat on occasion just like those who don't have diabetes.