I enjoy reading diet and food related books. While I tend to dislike most uses of the word “diet”, over the years I’ve developed my own health philosophy by taking bits and pieces from the different things I read. I rarely agree with everything in a single book, but there is usually something even in the most farfetched that I can gain from.
A few years ago I read The Good Mood Diet by Dr. Susan Kleiner, a sports nutritionist, modern dancer who used her knowledge to examine the links between food, mood and weight loss.
I am a big believer that the foods we eat directly affect our mood and mental wellbeing so I found many parts of the book interesting.
There was one particular practice she spoke of in the book that stuck with me. I have incorporated it into most of my days – nightly hot chocolate.
In the book Dr. Kleiner recommends a nightly cup of homemade hot chocolate for a few reasons.
– The whey protein in milk contains tryptophan which raises serotonin levels and can help relax you.
– The cocoa is a treat and has natural phytochemicals.
– Drinking the hot chocolate creates a bedtime ritual.
The book recommends non-dutched cocoa powder and sweetener. You know how I feel about artificial sweeteners so I simply use sugar. I’m sure any other natural sweetener would work too.
I take the easy route and put about 2 T of cocoa in a mug with about ½ t sugar. I add a little milk and mix it well, creating a paste. A milk frother works great for this. I have the Aerolatte Milk Frother and it is one of my most used kitchen gadgets.
I then heat up the rest of my milk, about 1 cup in the microwave. I add it to my mug and mix well.
This is an especially great treat during the winter when I tend to drink it more. It really does have a calming effect and I am glad to know what ingredients are in it as opposed to when using a packaged mix.
Have you picked up any good habits from the health/nutrition books you’ve come across?
This sounds like a fabulous bed time ritual!
I could definitely get used to nightly hot chocolate!
Ah! You totally read my mind. I just bought some diet cocoa mix and I was shocked by the list of ingredients. And heck, if you make it yourself it’s better for you and cheaper. Thanks for this!
Sounds like a delicious way to end the night 🙂
The Aerolatte looks fun, thanks for the tip! Does the cocoa say “non-Dutch” on the package? What does “non-Dutch” mean? Thanks!
Great way to close out the night into a positive dream land!
Erica – It definitely feels like a treat.
Meg – Some nights just need to end with chocolate. 🙂
Jenn – You are welcome. I’ve felt the same way about the diet mixes. This is a great alternative.
VeggieGirl – It is for sure!
Striving Green – I love that thing. It really is one of my favorite kitchen tools especially when I mix milk with my Brazilian coffee.
Non-dutched is supposed to mean the cocoa is more natural. It has to do with alkalinization. When this process occurs the flavanols in the cocoa are reduced. Non-dutched means non-alkalinized.
I found this link on the Hershey’s web-site that explains it a bit.
http://www.hersheys.com/nutrition/antioxidants.asp
It should say it on the label.
Mark – Definitely a great end to the day!