It is very difficult and not just for kids to resist chocolate. Almost everyone loves chocolate. There is nothing more pleasant than a chocolate bar, a biscuit or a chocolate ice cream. They are irresistible!

The love of chocolate is not exclusive to modern society. About two thousand years ago, the Mayans created a drink made from crushed cocoa beans and called chocolate “food of the gods”. There is no doubt that chocolate is good, but according to nutritionists, it is advisable to consume it in moderation and setting limits, mainly when determining the diet of children.

What are the benefits of chocolate for children?

Chocolate is nutritious and energetic, it contains nutrients such as calcium (ideal for the bones and teeth of children), phosphate, proteins and other minerals essential for growth. In addition, it is composed of natural substances, such as flavonoids, which protect the body against cardiovascular diseases, because of their antioxidant effects.

My son likes chocolate. What can I do ?

For a long time, chocolate has been criticized for provoking uncontrollable addictions, metabolic problems, headaches, excess weight and, above all, increasing the number of caries. However, research shows that chocolate is a very rich source of health. It enhances the energy used for play, study and physical activity.

If your child wants to eat a product that contains chocolate, 3 medical aspects should be considered first:

– is he overweight?

– Is he allergic to any of its components?

– Is he diabetic?

In one of these cases, the consumption of chocolate must be limited or prohibited by a doctor. However even if your child is not in one of these situations, the consumption of chocolate should always be limited. If the child consumes chocolate in exaggerated quantities, he may suffer from intoxication, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. If this happens, hang the chocolate until the symptoms disappear and moisturize the child with plenty of water.

When can children eat chocolate?

The recommended consumption time of of chocolate for children is in the middle of the morning or during the snack because it is a very energetic and caloric food it should not be mixed or added to a main meal. The quantity indicated for healthy children aged 1 to 5 years is a maximum of 50 grams per day.

It is better to eat pure chocolate because it contains less fat and sugar than others. Children who do not tolerate lactose can consume pure chocolate that does not contain milk.

The feeling of satisfaction that chocolate produces is the same for adults as for children. The reason is that ingestion of chocolate increases the production of a substance, phenylethylamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for this feeling of well-being.