Milk chocolate and children

Nowadays, we are constantly bombarded with bans, advice and warnings about how chocolate is bad for our children and how we must restrict and even ban children from eating this chocolate creation. But those who are a little more health-conscious know that it is important for a healthy diet to have a mixed diet. This means that smaller amounts of chocolate will not harm our children in any way, quite the opposite.

Dark chocolate

Chocolate, and especially dark chocolate, does not increase the ''bad'' (LDL) cholesterol in the blood. Its antioxidant content does the opposite, protecting the heart and blood vessels against radicals, boosting the immune system and reducing the risk of cancer. For this reason, chocolate, and especially dark chocolate, in small quantities, has a preventive effect against various diseases and is recommended by many scientists for both adults and children.

Some parents also mistakenly believe that chocolate contains a lot of caffeine and that if they eat chocolate, their children will become caffeine addicts.

A rib of chocolate contains much less caffeine than a cup of coffee, so there is no need to worry about your children becoming caffeine addicts as a result of eating chocolate.

It is much worse if they consume energy drinks, which contain more caffeine than chocolate itself and are not healthy at all because of the other additives and sweeteners.

Chocolate is also a good source of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium

This is especially true of milk chocolate, which, as the name suggests, has a higher proportion of milk than dark chocolate. It is milk that contains these ions, all of which are necessary for the smooth functioning and development of the body. Magnesium is important for the proper functioning and development of muscles and nerves and, like calcium, it keeps bones strong and solid. Phosphorus also ensures strong and solid bones and builds up the enamel in the teeth, giving them strength.

Many parents are concerned that children who are otherwise diligent, obedient and hard-working become hyperactive, mischievous and disobedient after eating chocolate. But a study carried out by scientists in Australia has debunked this theory. They divided children into two groups. One group of children was given chocolate and the other group was given dried fruit. After eating the chocolate, the children were tested on their behaviour in various areas: twisting, talking, restlessness, aggressive behaviour and attention, as well as concentration and obedience.

Results

The results showed that children who consumed chocolate did not differ in their behaviour from children who consumed dried fruit. This means that if children are hyperactive, it is not due to chocolate consumption, but to other factors that are sometimes really difficult to identify. But you can certainly give your child a bar of chocolate with peace of mind, because it won''t make them an aggressive bully who will take it out on the neighbour''s little girl.

It is certainly important to limit chocolate in your child''s diet and not allow your child to eat a mountain of chocolate every day. It is also a good idea to limit the consumption of any other sweets that contain large amounts of chocolate. It is true that if your child eats too much chocolate, certain health problems can occur, such as obesity or even addiction. But if you limit chocolate and teach your child to think of it as a treat and a pleasure and not as an everyday food, then you can be sure that chocolate will become and remain your child''s greatest treasure, or even the ''food of the gods'', as chocolate has been called in the past.