Is cocoa powder LDL friendly?

[JerrieH]

Can anyone tell me if cocoa powder is LDL friendly?  I have been putting it in hot water (no milk) with stevia and vanilla and it tastes pretty good without milk, but I don't know if it is LDL friendly.  Don't remember reading anything about it in my LDL book. 

[witheraway1]

I don't really know the thinkng on it. But I drink it with splenda. Instead of coffee, I am not a coffee drinker, but I do like tea. It is something hot on a cold morning. It does not affect my weihgt loss and that is what counts for me!.

[LINDA RN]

The fat or sugar content of it is what would make it LDL unfriendly.
If you can use it without cravings or weight gain, then go for it.
Dark cocoa is supposed to be very healthy.
Trouble is most people can't drink it without full fat milk and lots of sugar.
I sometimes put the unsweetened powder in my coffee.

[witheraway1]

That's what my husband does to his coffee and he loves it. I put no milk in mine. I have just got use to it with splenda and no milk, it's good to me.

[JerrieH]

Thanks for the tips Witheraway1 and LindaRN.  I hoped it would be okay.  Sometimes a cup of hot cocoa sounds good, but I know milk isn't allowed.  I wondered if soymilk was okay (since it is a bean), but since I wasn't sure, I just tried it with water and stevia and it wasn't too bad.  I thank the both of you for the reminder about putting the cocoa in the coffee.  I've done that in the past and forgot about it.  That sounds pretty good.

[CodingQueen]

I use organic dark chocolate (80%) in some of my Mexican recipes. My aunt has always been an awesome cook and that is one of her little secrets...something that has been passed down from her ancestors over the years. She told me that the Aztecs made savory dishes with chocolate. And, even though it isn't sweet, it adds an extra element to the dish.

CQ

[LINDA RN]

As Roger says, there is a difference between eating healthy and eating healthy to loose weight. Soy milk will not help you at all and there is even some stuff coming out now that soy may interfere with thyroid function. Dairy will stirr up cravings and because it is so easy to drink way more than you actually need or want, it can stall you or cause you to gain very quickly. If you can do the cocoa without sugar or dairy, then that will be best for you. You can experiment with dairy after you reach goal and gauge how much you can actually do and not gain weight.

[JerrieH]

Thanks LindaRN for the info on soy.  I didn't know it could cause cravings.  Thanks CQ for the recommendation on Mexican Cocoa.  Is that easy to find?  Jerrie

[LINDA RN]

Lindt makes an 85% cocoa dark chocolate bar. I eat a square occasionally when I think I need something sweet. It is not sweet at all but somehow satisfies the  craving for a "treat". You can even get it at WalMart

[JerrieH]

Thanks Linda.  I think my husband has bought some of that before.  I thought CodingQueen was talking about a Mexican cocoa powder.  Is there such a thing as that or do you think she was referring to a chocolate bar?

[CodingQueen]

Thanks Linda.  I think my husband has bought some of that before.  I thought CodingQueen was talking about a Mexican cocoa powder.  Is there such a thing as that or do you think she was referring to a chocolate bar?

Jerrie,

I was referring to an organic chocolate bar (87% cocoa). I sometimes use the (100% cocoa) baking chocolate.

LINDA RN,

I don't snack on the bars, just cook with them every now and then (a little bit goes along way).

Here's where I order mine.

http://www.worldpantry.com/cgi-bin/ncom ... br=3262754

CQ

[LINDA RN]

A square or 2 every couple of months did not cause cravings or gain for me but I have to limit or I could get carried away. A cup or 2 of cocoa in the middle of a blizzard is comforting but I know not to make a habit of it. The Cincinnati Chili tasted like desert! You just have to know what things will send you on a feeding frenzy or cause gain. If it is something you can do every once in a while and it satisfies you enough to stay on plan then it is the choice you make. The best choice is to do pure LDL but second best is eating helathy and loosing weight eating the foods that keep you on track. Roger enjoyed his blue cheese crumbles and raisins, I chose dark chocolate over eating a 2 lb bag of peanut M&M's or a half gallon chocolate almond icecream! So glad those days are over for me!

[JerrieH]

Thank you, Roger, for explaining about the nuts and seeds.  Somehow I didn't realize cocoa fell in that catagory.  Can't wait for your new book.  You are such an inspiration to many.  Jerrie

[JerrieH]

Thank you LindaRN and CQ for all of your info on the chocolate.  Jerrie

[LINDA RN]

Learned something new about chocolate.....ate a little after supper past 2 nights and past two nights remembered what seemed like dreaming really stupid dreams all night long. Guess that will be my motivation to finally let it go!