Survey on Raw Chocolate

[RawTruth]

You may wish to document your experience with raw cacao at Angela Stokes' website. I'm not sure what she's going to do with the findings (other than gather lots of email addresses! ;)), but she's pretty research-based, so I'm thinking the results will be put to good use.

I have mixed feelings about cacao myself having given it a real good long chance. Upon finding that I want it every day, sometimes first thing in the morning, I'm not sure if that's because I'm addicted (!) or because my body needs some mineral that's in it.

I know we had a long discussion, oh somewhere around 18-20 months ago about it - way before Naked Chocolate came out and before cacao powder became available. I'd be interested in hearing what long-time raw fooders think about it here, in addition to taking Angela's survey.

Click here for the survey. (http://www.rawreform.com/component/option,com_poll/task,results/id,15/)

[Princess Elaine]

Hi everyone...I had my first taste of raw cocoa at Raw Truth's food class that we sprinkled on banana ice cream (I think that's what we had)...I bought my first bag 4 or 5 days ago and can't stop myself from having them...I have some apple granola I sprinkled some in...first a wee bit...next time a bit more...I think I'm addicted....funny how by themselves they taste rather bitter....all they have to do is touch something else and I'm on!!!!...soooooooooooo, will I buy them again...I have to be careful with addictions and often have to abstain if I'm gonna abuse something...we'll see!!!

Elaine

[Dimond]

Other than a couple initial times of dizziness when I first tried it, it doesn't do anything for me positive or negative (at least no obvious negative affect). For a couple of months I had a maca cacao goji smoothie and none of the ingredients improved my health in any immediate way. I still stick with goji berries or powder, but not the other 2. Cacao I save for occasional chocolate treats, though usually I enjoy carob more.

[Lay-Lay]

no negative effects for me. I used it in moderation. A little here and there. It was really great for my hubby who was not raw and that helped him to transition into raw foods. He thought man, if I can eat this then there has to be something good about raw foods. I don't order it much, because of its price tag.

[Caroob]

Oh, I live in sweden where raw chokolate is not avalable, how does it differ from "normal" chocolate?

Where can i get it and which ones are the best? Don't know how you use it (or do you just use powder?).

Thankx

-newbie :)

[Sharon in Colorado]

I can't do that survey because I feel great when I'm eating it all the time and then have some more.

However when I haven't had any type of chocolate for days and eat it I do get very shakey and nervous-like, so I think there's an addiction involved.

[Cinnamon]

I've tried it twice and had the same reaction both times, extremely nervous, shakey, hyper, insomnia, just like I'd get in the old days of coffee or tea that wasn't decaf. Not for me that is for sure but the flavor I sure did enjoy. I've always been very sensitive to stimulants so I wasn't surprised!

[Missrawdiva]

Well, I guess you can say I am a cocoa addict!! I make Rp's brownies once a week, a big batch w/cocoa and I eat them a few times a day EVERY day!! I love the fact that I can be raw and still eat chocolate! Even though they are very high in fat, and even though I eat the cocoa brownies three times a day, I have still managed to loose alot of weight. I do think they are addictive... but hey as long as I dont have any bad side effects.. I will continue to eat them! Also, I looove the fact that if I eat a brownie early in the morning its an appetitie suppresent. Sometimes if I run out of brownies, I will be some cocoa powder in my greeen smoothies! Now that is good!!!

[RawTruth]

Well, I guess you can say I am a cocoa addict!! I make Rp's brownies once a week, a big batch w/cocoa and I eat them a few times a day EVERY day!! I love the fact that I can be raw and still eat chocolate! Even though they are very high in fat, and even though I eat the cocoa brownies three times a day, I have still managed to loose alot of weight. I do think they are addictive... but hey as long as I dont have any bad side effects.. I will continue to eat them! Also, I looove the fact that if I eat a brownie early in the morning its an appetitie suppresent. Sometimes if I run out of brownies, I will be some cocoa powder in my greeen smoothies! Now that is good!!!Missrawdiva, are you using cocoa or cacao?

[RawTruth]

I can't do that survey because I feel great when I'm eating it all the time and then have some more.

However when I haven't had any type of chocolate for days and eat it I do get very shakey and nervous-like, so I think there's an addiction involved.So ... I'm thinking that your experience fits into one of the survey answers?

[Bechtel]

Cocoa is a strong antidioxant. Twice stronger than red wine.

[RawTruth]

Cocoa is a strong antidioxant. Twice stronger than red wine. *nodding* Yep, yep, yep.

Looking for the experiences of raw fooders with eating raw cacao . . .

[Sharon in Colorado]

So ... I'm thinking that your experience fits into one of the survey answers?

Well it fits in 2 of them, but depending on my chocolate or chocolate-less state of being I could answer either one! HA! FYI, right now I'm on the stuff. I need to get off it again! :o

[Rawkinlocs]

My experience has been that I get no effects positive or negative either. I don't eat it often, when I DO eat it I don't get "addicted" to it and feel the need to keep eating it. I usually only use a small amount of it in things such as RP's brownies, Alissa's fudge balls (I use part cacao powder and part carob) and in chocolate shakes or milk.

I haven't had the jittery feeling some have reported and I don't see the "super food benefits" either. It's just one of those things I eat when I want it but don't have to have it.

[Missrawdiva]

CocAo... yeah my spelling is bad.

[Bechtel]

*nodding* Yep, yep, yep.

Looking for the experiences of raw fooders with eating raw cacao . . .

I do not feel any immediate effects. More likely, as with any antidioxants, it will have a long term positive impact on immune system.

[RawTruth]

I do not feel any immediate effects. More likely, as with any antidioxants, it will have a long term positive impact on immune system.By "effects" I mean the effect on your mood, digestion, etc.

[rawpriestess]

Well, I'll have to say, that I think it's addictive, for me at least.


When I was cooked, I could and often did eat an entire 8 ounce chocolate bar in a day

I went raw, and didn't do chocolate at all, when I first bought the cacao nibs, i tried them bitte, but okay with raisins or some such thing, but no big deal to me, they gave me the jitters, up all night, couldn't sleep, just like coffee or chocolate candy.

then I went to the cacao powder, big difference, If I eat too much, I can be up late, but not all night, and no jitters, so I don't know what grinding it does, but it does something,

I take the nibs, and grind them in my bamix grinder attachment, which makes them a fine powder, like a coffee grinder, only it's bigger, and I can wash it by taking it apart, and it doesn't give me the jitters, it doesn' get warm or anything, so I have no idea, why powdered is okay, but the nibs aren't, if I didn't do it myself, I would think it was something else. so............

I don't know,

I only use it in deserts, like my brownies, and maybe a chocolate shaked once every few months or so, I do have it, and I've made fudge and all kinds of things with it, but it doesn't call to me like a chocolate bar used to. hummm
alot of it was the smoothness, that I liked, with coffee and cream, LOL

now, it's with warm tea, and it's crumbly in brownies, hum, just not the same, which I think is a good thing.

[sport]

It does not seem to bother me as long as I have it before 6 P.M.
I have a large spoonfull to my ice cream every afternoon as it is my favourite ice cream.
I have just been away and did not have any for 4 days and it did not bother me.
Came back and had some today and that did not bother me either.
I like the taste in my ice cream and that is all it means to me.

[RawTruth]

I have a large spoonfull to my ice cream every afternoon as it is my favourite ice cream.Is that banana ice cream, Sport, or do you get fancier?

[Bechtel]

By "effects" I mean the effect on your mood, digestion, etc.

None. Very enjoyable to drink.

[being]

The only thing I have noticed after eating something with cacao beans or powdered cacao - is that I find myself like this --> :D :p :D <-- for no particular reason I could discern at the time.

So I'd say I experience elation, overall content happyness.

I've not had any jitteryness or otherwise effects, although I suspect this has more to do with my occasional black americano and drinking caffienated green teas sometimes still. I'm not purified caffiene wise, so I don't experience that jolt/jitter/rush.

(After a stint of abstaining from all sources of caffiene for 3 months then having a small teacup of homebrewed coffee, I felt like I was on speed or something :eek: )

That said, I'm happy with the cacao because I feel so happy when I eat it! :rolleyes: I have not found it be addictive, I don't have it every day, but a few times per week definitely.

I find it so fascinating how one thing can affect everyone so differently. And I am grateful I don't experience the jitters some of you experience ;)

[sport]

Is that banana ice cream, Sport, or do you get fancier?
I have experimented with a lot of thing but am now down to plain bananas and chocolate powder. Amazing how simple is usually better.
Very ocasionally I just do bananas and non frozen bluberries with a small bit of added agave.
I have to wean myself off this ice cream. Not good for the internal flora but I do keep it in my mouth for a long time before I swallow it so I am hoping that it is warm by the time it hits home.

[Bechtel]

Taste buds can be trained. After 3 years on raw I have learned to eat what is good for me. In beginning, cocoa was not the most pleasant experience. Nevertheless, keep drinking knowing that is good for me. Now it is natural for me to drink big mug of cocoa in office afternoon.
If 5 years ago somebody would tell me that I have to give up fried potatoes (my Russian grandma style), I would spit in his/her face ,-))). Now I would spit this food out of my mouse in an instant. The only one thing I cannot eat is a raw broccoli. Bush Sr., and me-))))). Oh well, may be this is just environment, since he lives only 1000 yards from me.

So ladies! Drink cocoa and stay healthy ,-))))

[Linda1970]

Hello everyone,

It affects my sleep very much if I have it after 3pm. Well, I can still have it after 3pm if I consume just a little bit.