How Much Dark Chocolate Per Day Should You Eat? (2024)

Raise your hand if you're a fan of dark chocolate (both of mine are raised!).

There's just something about the smooth, velvety texture and rich, slightly bitter taste that sends my taste buds into overdrive.

But as much as I adore indulging in this decadent treat, I know that being healthy is important too.

So, how much dark chocolate can you eat in a day without feeling guilty? Let's dig into this delicious dilemma and find out!

How Much Dark Chocolate Per Day Should You Consume?

According to health experts, consuming around 30-60 grams of dark chocolate per day is a healthy amount for most people.

That's about two to four small squares of your favourite chocolate bar.

Now, don't go overboard and think that just because it's "dark chocolate", you can scoff down a whole block guilt-free.

Remember, everything in moderation! Plus, dark chocolate is still high in calories and sugar, so it's important to keep tabs on your intake.

But a little indulgence never hurt anyone, right? Enjoy your daily dose of dark chocolate and savour every moment!

(If you love eating chocolate but want to stay healthy, you might like to read about how many calories in a chocolate bar?)

How Many Squares Of Dark Chocolate Per Day?

Ok so, let's break it down! How many squares of dark chocolate can you indulge in each day?

Well, the answer depends on the size of the square. On average, a single square of dark chocolate weighs around 10 grams.

So, if we go by the recommended daily intake of 30-60 grams, that means you can have anywhere from three to six squares of dark chocolate per day.

Of course, the exact number of squares will depend on the size of the bar and the weight of each square.

But as a general rule of thumb, three to six squares is a healthy amount to satisfy your chocolate cravings without going overboard.

So go ahead, savour each bite, and enjoy your daily dose of deliciousness!

(Click here if you are interested in a post looking at the question: what is dark chocolate?)

What Happens if You Eat Too Much Dark Chocolate?

Look, as much as we all love indulging in dark chocolate (trust me, I know, work in a chocolate factory, and I literally eat chocolate every day), overdoing it can have some less-than-ideal consequences.

Eating too much dark chocolate can lead to a range of issues, including an upset stomach, nausea, diarrhoea, headaches, and jitteriness.

Plus, let's not forget about the high calorie and sugar content, which can lead to weight gain and other health problems if consumed in excess.

So, while a little bit of dark chocolate can be a great treat, it's important to keep it in moderation and stick to the recommended daily intake of 30-60 grams.

Your taste buds will thank you, and so will your body!

Note - You might also find this post interesting: How many carbs in dark chocolate?

Is it Safe to Eat Dark Chocolate Every Day?

Good news for all you chocoholics out there: it is generally safe to eat dark chocolate every day!

In fact, studies have shown that consuming moderate amounts of dark chocolate can actually have some health benefits, including lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart disease.

Of course, it's important to keep your intake in check and stick to the recommended daily amount of 30-60 grams.

Also, keep in mind that while dark chocolate does have some health benefits, it is still high in calories and sugar, so it should be consumed as part of a balanced diet.

So, go ahead and treat yourself to a small square of dark chocolate each day, and enjoy the delicious taste and potential health benefits!

(You might also enjoy looking at this blog post talking about how to stop eating chocolate).

What is the Nutritional Content of a Bar of Dark Chocolate?

Dark chocolate is not only delicious, but it also contains a variety of important nutrients that can contribute to a healthy diet.

Whilst all brands slightly differ in ingredients, on the whole, dark chocolate is a good source of important minerals like iron, magnesium, copper, and manganese.

However, it is also high in calories and saturated fat, so it should be consumed in moderation and as part of a balanced diet.

Here is a breakdown of the nutritional content of our Whitakers standard bar of dark chocolate:

Laboratory AnalysisTypical values per 100g
Energy2212 kJ / 531 kcal
Fat31.9g
Of which saturates19.3g
Carbohydrates48.9g
Of which sugars44.0g
Fibre9.1g
Protein7.4g
Salt0.03g

We like to keep our ingredients to a minimum, with no GMOs or anything artificial, just 100% natural.

Here’s the ingredients breakdown of our dark chocolate bar:

Ingredients: Dark Chocolate 99% (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, emulsifier: SOYA lecithin, vanilla flavour).

Dark Chocolate contains: Cocoa solids 55% minimum.

Allergen Info: See ingredients in BOLD. Product may also contain milk and nuts

Note - You might also like to read this post looking at: Can a vegan eat dark chocolate?

An Expert’s Opinion

As someone who works at a chocolate factory, I'm surrounded by temptation all day and every day.

Imagine being constantly surrounded by the sweet, delicious aroma of chocolate and having to taste it as part of your job - talk about a dream come true!

However, I know that it's important to enjoy chocolate in moderation, even when you're surrounded by it all day.

I make a conscious effort to limit my chocolate intake and savour each bite rather than mindlessly snacking on it throughout the day.

After all, a little bit of indulgence can be a great treat, but it's all about balance.

What Are the Main Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate?

Who knew that indulging in a little bit of dark chocolate could actually be good for you?!

Here are some of the main health benefits that have been associated with eating moderate amounts of dark chocolate:

  1. Heart health: Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants called flavonoids, which have been shown to reduce inflammation and lower the risk of heart disease.

  2. Blood pressure: Studies have found that consuming dark chocolate can help lower blood pressure and improve blood flow, which can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

  3. Brain function: The flavonoids in dark chocolate may also have benefits for the brain, improving cognitive function and reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

  4. Mood booster: Dark chocolate contains phenylethylamine (PEA), which is a natural mood booster and can help increase feelings of happiness and well-being.

  5. Anti-inflammatory: The antioxidants in dark chocolate have also been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, which can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes.

Of course, it's important to remember that dark chocolate should be consumed in moderation and as part of a balanced diet.

But hey, with all these health benefits, there's no need to feel guilty about indulging in a little bit of chocolatey goodness each day!

Final Notes on How Much Dark Chocolate You Should Eat Per Day

So, there you have it. As much as we all love indulging in dark chocolate, it's important to keep your intake in check and enjoy it in moderation.

Stick to the recommended daily amount of 30-60 grams and savour each bite, knowing that you're not only treating your taste buds but also reaping some potential health benefits.

From improving heart health to boosting brain function and mood, dark chocolate truly is a delicious superfood.

But as with anything, too much of a good thing can be detrimental, so it's important to find the right balance.

As I say (and try to stick to every day!), enjoy your chocolate in moderation and savour each bite!

How Much Dark Chocolate Per Day Should You Eat? (2024)

FAQs

How Much Dark Chocolate Per Day Should You Eat? ›

What is the daily recommended amount of dark chocolate? The recommended “dose” is approximately 1 to 2 ounces or 30-60g, experts say. Indulge in anything more than that, and you may be consuming too many calories. A 1.45-ounce (41 gram) Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Bar has 190 calories.

How much dark chocolate is safe to eat a day? ›

How Much Dark Chocolate Per Day Should You Consume? According to health experts, consuming around 30-60 grams of dark chocolate per day is a healthy amount for most people. That's about two to four small squares of your favourite chocolate bar.

How many squares of dark chocolate per day is healthy? ›

An ounce or 2 per day is more than enough to get the health benefits. Chocolate bars vary in size and weight, so check the label to see how many ounces are in one portion.

What is the best time to eat dark chocolate? ›

Exactly when you eat chocolate could be important, too. Studies suggest that a small amount of dark chocolate in the mornings or evenings may help stabilize your blood sugar levels by limiting your sweet cravings.

Is 85% dark chocolate good for you? ›

High-cocoa polyphenol-rich chocolate improves blood pressure in patients with diabetes and hypertension. Shin, J. H., et al. (2022). Consumption of 85% cocoa dark chocolate improves mood in association with gut microbial changes in healthy adults: a randomized controlled trial.

What are the disadvantages of dark chocolate daily? ›

The dark chocolate side effects may be associated with caffeine. It may cause sleeplessness, nervousness, increased urination, fast heartbeat, skin allergies, migraine and headache, nausea, and stomach problems like gas and constipation.

Which dark chocolate is healthiest? ›

To get the most “health benefit,” select dark chocolate (70-80% cocoa) with the least amount of added sugar.

Does dark chocolate raise cholesterol? ›

Eating dark chocolate and cocoa alone didn't appear to have a major effect on heart health, she said. “Chocolate doesn't increase cholesterol levels, but it doesn't decrease cholesterol levels either.”

How long before bed should I eat dark chocolate? ›

Timing Matters: Consume dark chocolate a few hours before bedtime. This allows enough time for its beneficial effects to kick in, while also letting the caffeine content wear off. Pair with Healthy Foods: Try combining dark chocolate with foods like almonds or bananas that are also known to promote sleep.

How much caffeine is in dark chocolate? ›

Dark chocolate (70-85% cocoa): A 1-ounce (28-gram) serving contains around 20-60 milligrams of caffeine. Milk chocolate: A 1-ounce (28-gram) serving contains around 6-20 milligrams of caffeine. White chocolate: A 1-ounce (28-gram) serving contains trace amounts of caffeine, often less than 2 milligrams.

Is dark chocolate anti-inflammatory? ›

Anti-inflammatory effect. Several experimental studies found that Dark chocolate also has an anti-inflammatory effect. It enhances the expression of mRNA, especially anti-inflammatory cytokines IL10, by diminishing the pro-inflammatory stress response. Cocoa also has some direct influence on immune cells.

Is 90% dark chocolate good for your liver? ›

Oxidative stress and inflammation are considered of primary importance in the progression of NAFLD. Consuming dark chocolate can halt oxidative stress and hepatic inflammation seen in NASH, which ultimately leads to Liver failure. Thus, dark chocolate could halt disease progression.

How much dark chocolate per day for high blood pressure? ›

It also helps lower risk of diabetes, heart disease

More good news for chocolate lovers: A new Harvard study finds that eating a small square of dark chocolate daily can help lower blood pressure for people with hypertension.

Which dark chocolate has no heavy metals? ›

The brands found to have the lowest levels of heavy metal contamination are: Mast Organic Dark Chocolate (80% cocoa) Taza Organic Chocolate (70% cocoa)

What does one ounce of dark chocolate look like? ›

For example, one ounce is the equivalent of three thin squares of chocolate broken off from a bigger bar. Dark chocolate is also best savored slowly — a little goes a long way.

What happens to your body when you eat dark chocolate every day? ›

Dark chocolate is rich in flavanols, which stimulate the lining of the arteries (the endothelium) to produce nitric oxide. As a result, nitric oxide sends signals through the nervous system to relax the arteries, thereby improving blood flow and reducing blood pressure.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Prof. An Powlowski

Last Updated:

Views: 6235

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Prof. An Powlowski

Birthday: 1992-09-29

Address: Apt. 994 8891 Orval Hill, Brittnyburgh, AZ 41023-0398

Phone: +26417467956738

Job: District Marketing Strategist

Hobby: Embroidery, Bodybuilding, Motor sports, Amateur radio, Wood carving, Whittling, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Prof. An Powlowski, I am a charming, helpful, attractive, good, graceful, thoughtful, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.