LCHF diet and chocolate? Why not!

Then the LCHF way of eating might be right for you.

As the name suggests (LCHF - low-carb, high-fat), the LCHF diet or ketogenic diet is based on a diet low in carbohydrates and high in (healthy) fats. The great advantage of this way of eating, which is becoming increasingly popular, is that the body optimally uses fat for energy, which means that fat does not accumulate into fat stores that the body could not use. This is not only reflected in an overall improvement in well-being and weight loss - metabolism is also improved, blood pressure and blood sugar are lowered, and some chronic diseases can be treated with the help of this diet.

Are you one of those who have been prompted by the summer months to think about what you are putting into your body?

Avoiding sugar and starch lowers insulin levels, which means the body uses more fat for energy, which makes us feel fuller and therefore less likely to reach for unhealthy snacks. Did that last sentence scare you chocoholics? No, you don''t have to give up your sweet tooth completely. This way of eating allows you to occasionally consume dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa and very little sugar - and even better if it contains none at all. Otherwise, it is best to choose chocolate that is made from real cocoa and cocoa butter and is gluten-free.

Dark chocolate - a superfood

Many people might shake their heads at the mention of the latter, wondering how chocolate can be a superfood. But there is a lot of truth in this statement - dark chocolate is packed with nutrients, fibre and powerful antioxidants - in fact, it contains even more of them than blueberries, which are particularly well-known as a rich source of antioxidants. Dark chocolate is not only rich in flavour, but also in its many healing properties. Among other things, it has been shown to lower heart pressure, raise good cholesterol levels and lower insulin resistance.

What do I need to watch out for if I ever overindulge?

The LCHF diet does require some self-control, but the bottom line is that we are all only human, so sometimes we just can''t resist indulging. If we do sin, we do it wisely - so here are some key tips to help you:

• Sin in small portions

Try to eat as little chocolate as possible, if possible, but just for the taste. When you limit your intake, you''ll appreciate the moments you do have to sweeten up all the more.

• Overindulge after a meal

Our parents and grandparents always insisted in our childhood that we could only eat sweets after a meal - and they were right. Because we have less appetite after a meal, we sin less. At the same time, a meal beforehand, rich in proteinand fat, slows down the absorption of glucose into the blood.

• Overeat as late in the day as possible

This will do two things - you''ll have less time before bed than you would otherwise have, you''ll overeat less than you would otherwise during the day, and your body will remain accustomed to a low-carb diet throughout the day.

• Overeat with as little sugar as possible

By getting used to a low-carb diet, you will get used to eating very sugary foods. Take advantage of this and buy chocolate with as little sugar as possible, and don''t sweeten your food and drinks if possible - less is more!

But what if you can''t go without sugar?

If you don''t want or can''t give up sweet things, don''t worry, there are natural sweeteners available that are a healthy substitute for sugar. They are similar in structure and taste, but have a lower glycaemic index (or 0) and therefore do not affect blood sugar. They are also full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and contain a smaller amount of fructose or glucose.