Friday, June 14, 2013

Think About Chocolate Strawberries If You Are Trying To Find A Healthy Snack Alternative

By Hitch Teneson


The ultimate way to satisfy a sweet tooth is with that confectionery known as the food of the gods. Unfortunately it's not the best thing to indulge in when you're trying to stay in shape. If you need something to snack on without feeling guilty and without compromising on taste, you'll like chocolate strawberries, they are healthy for you.

In its original form, chocolate was a drink and had no sugar added to it. The Mayans and the Aztecs introduced it to the Spanish, who took it back to Europe. By the end of the eighteenth century it became available in solid form and took the world by storm. Even though it has more fat and sugar than most candy, it's also one of the healthier confectionery options. It can help prevent cardiovascular diseases and high blood pressure and has cancer-fighting properties.

The sweet little red fruit known as the strawberry is one of nature's gifts to the health-conscious. It's low in fat and high in fiber. It's full of cancer-fighting antioxidants and flavonoids and is a good source of minerals like potassium and manganese. Moreover, a portion of strawberries has more Vitamin C than an orange, making this fruit a great option if you want to give your immune system a boost.

Dip the little red fruit in the food of the gods and you have the best of both worlds. Depending on how big the strawberry is and the thickness of the creamy coating, there are more of less 40 calories in each portion. This is obviously a much better option than a cupcake with frosting and cream filling, clocking in at nearly 200 calories, or a small doughnut with glaze at about 120 calories. Even a bland mini doughnut with no sugar coating it has around 60 calories and none of the taste. The snack is even a better option than granola bars, which can contain as much as 200 calories.

The confectionery is very easy to make at home. For about 12 strawberries, chop up about a cup of chocolate and melt it in a bowl. Dip the fruit in the bowl and place it on a baking sheet lined with baking paper. Then refrigerate it for about half an hour until set.

For variety, try different types of chocolate. Dark is healthiest but you can try milk or white too. It looks great if you combine the different types and for some extra texture, you may even add nuts or sprinkles.

The best way to melt chocolate is to chop it into pieces and place it in a bowl. Then place this over a pot of boiling water and let the steam melt it. Stir it to keep it smooth and remember to use dry utensils because water will make it go lumpy. An alternative is to microwave it but take care since it can burn very easily and then you won't be able to use it.

If you don't want to make your own, you can buy chocolate strawberries from a confectionery shop. You may even have them delivered to your home. Since they don't have a long shelf life, you have the perfect excuse to eat them right away and in one sitting. However, you can keep them in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to two days if you need to.




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