Chocolate is there a substitute?

I switched to 71% cacoa bars, and haven't really regretted it. Seriously, chocolate that is mostly unprocessed cacoa is how chocolate was meant to be experienced. Ghiradelli does a really good job with their intense dark chocolate bars. Green and Blacks are probably the best. And the bulk sections at Sprouts and Whole Foods are your friends. Or at least, they are my friends, because they have some of the best dark chocolate available.

You might want to take it slow, so I would recommend going for Dove's Dark Chocolate Promises. I discovered them while buying lunch at Target (failure to meal plan for the week), and they are divine. They're not as nutritious as the ones I mentioned above, but they are far better for you than milk chocolate. I highly recommend the one with almonds.

RodaRose wrote: »

I add Hershey's Cocoa powder to yogurt and raisins.
One can add cocoa powder to other things as well like oatmeal. Even soups.

This! I mix cocoa into Greek yogurt and add 113 grams of fruit and flavorings (orange, extract, vanilla, etc. and sometimes even sprinkle expressso coffee into the yogurt) Also, I have dark chocolate every night; 2 squares of either 85% or 90% cacao. Knowing it's there for me every night keeps me from overeating in one sitting. Milk chocolate is just way too sweet.

I have to agree with the other posts...If you TRULY want to stop eating it, stop buying it. I know sometimes it's hard in the grocery store when you see something delicious (for me, chocolate covered coconut) but that's where will-power comes in. If you truly want something, you'll find a way to make it happen.

good luck!

OP it doesn't sound like you are "binging" on chocolate, when you get stressed, you crave it, so there is an emotional connection to it, but if you aren't exceeding your calories then there is nothing wrong with eating chocolate.

Honestly, if it is something you enjoy, I would probably just plan to fit it in my day, rather than waiting for the stress to push you over the edge looking for it. You mentioned you enjoy dark chocolate, a square of that a day would be less than 100 cals and if you know you will eat it, or some other indulgence daily, then maybe you wouldn't associate it so much with stress relief. You could look for an alternate stress relief, like going for a walk, when the time hits. The benefit there is, you'll burn more calories, leaving more room for chocolate!

I know you mentioned this is your first go round with dieting. If you haven't already, read this:

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1

There is good info in there, especially the links about fitting in all the foods you like.

Many of the most successful people on here eat a primarily nutrient dense, balanced diet, hitting their macro and micro nutrient requirements, and leave room for treats such as chocolate, ice cream, or wine.

Have small amounts in moderation. Eat for the long term.

If that doesn't work in this case, cut it out, but beware, you'll probably replace chocolate with something else as that seems to be a pattern here.

Total direction change, instead of replacing with an alternate treat, go for a run instead?