Cacao and Raw Chocolate

[elfinbaby]

Would you give cacao or raw chocolate to your kids?? Explain please :)

[Veganforlife]

If I was raising kids (again) I would. However, I would limit their intake. It is however, sure healthier then processed chocolate. I would maybe lean more towards raw carob that doesn't have the caffeine of chocolate.
Maybe some raw parents will pipe in here and offer advice...

[Ginger]

Not as an everyday thing but sure sometimes.

[Sharon in Colorado]

This is a trick question I think. Maybe, it should be prefaced with "If your kids are all raw...." because many of us don't have all raw eating children.

So I am wondering if you meant to ask parents of all raw children or children with any type of diet.

[elfinbaby]

So what would the difference be if the kid is raw or not? My kids are not raw but they eat some of my dessert stuff. At this time I do not give them raw chocolate (or other choc, crap, etc.). I'm still figuring out what my opinion on it is. I went to a raw food class and the chef made a dessert with chocolate. She said that raw choc. had a "cousin" to caffiene in it. 2 of my kids don't need an energy boost. My other could definitely use some get up and go. I'm wondering how healthy raw choc. actually is vs. how well it's being promoted right now.

[Sharon in Colorado]

The difference in kid's diet would vary. My kids do eat junk food from time to time, so raw cacao is a better choice.

However I would imagine a child who is pure would not take to cacao as well, unless you are raising a a kid on maca and green supplemental foods.

Sorry if my comment, "trick question", put you off, I didn't mean it that way, didn't mean to say you were being tricky, but that the question itself is tricky.

[Morn]

My opinion is yes!

Raw Chocolate (or raw cacao) is one of the highest food sources of Antioxidants (even more than green tea).

Its high Magnesium content makes it supportive of heart function, improves brain power, relaxes muscles and menstrual cramping, and increases flexibility.

It also contains significant amounts of Potassium, Folic Acid, Vitamin A, C, E, Zinc, Calcium and Copper. It is not a significant source of Caffeine.

Through the effects of its active brain chemicals (serotonin, phenylethylamine, theobromine, tryptophan) raw chocolate is know to decrease depression, and relieves anxiety and stress.

PLUS THE MAIN THING - ITS YUMMY. Chocolate seems to make everything better for me! But whatever you decide - you have to be comfortable with it.

[rawpriestess]

I think occasionally would be fine.

[elfinbaby]

S of C, I didn't mean to come off snarky. I really didn't understand the difference. I'm not the snarky type :o Thanks for your input.

April

[Lay-Lay]

everything in moderation. Once in awhile here and there, why not?